The numismatic chronicle and journal of the Royal ... - IndianCoins.org

340 NUMISMATIC CHRONICLE.alsobeen shown that, amongstthe substances to whichthese measures were applied, there was one, namely, gold,which required the measurement of itsweight pervolume, to ensure the correct knowledge of its quality.To this we have but to add the fact, that gold andelectrum appear to have been the firstprecious metalsto which weight was applied. If, therefore, the phenomenonof weight was first used as a measure of value andas a criterion of purity, we should expect to find, in anyaccounts of weighing, an exact record of measure andweight, both of which had to be taken in order to ascertainthe standard of purity and the consequent value of theprecious metal. We must, therefore, turn to the records,to see if this actually be the case.There are many references to the quantity of electrumand gold measured by the sack, 8 or by the lieket? thenumber of deben at which they were valued being givensubsequently. The lieket appearsto be the measure ofcapacity in most common use amongst the Egyptians,and the deben was the unit of value at which goods wereassessed in all templeaccounts. From this we see thatthe fact is distinctly stated that preciousmaterial hadto be measured before it was weighed, and the jointmention of both measuring and weighing leaveslittledoubt as to the reason for the latter. Had this lastproceeding only been for the purpose of measuring andreckoning up the quantity of gold, there would havebeen no need to measure it first. Both factors werenecessary, size and weight, to determine the intrinsicvalue of the bullion; when this was arrived at, the8Inscription of Thutiy. Breasted, iii. 37 ;iv. 550.9Idem, v. index.