File:Medieval weight, Steelyard weight fragment (FindID 606686).jpg

English: A fragment of the shell of a copper alloy and lead steelyard weight dating to the medieval period. The weight would have had a copper alloy shell that was roughly conical in shape with a rounded base and narrowed peak with a triangular suspension loop. It would have been filled with lead but is now missing although there are traces of lead on the inside of the cooper shell. There are three moulded grooves or collars around the top of the weight. Steelyards often had other designs, such as shields (often of Richard, Earl of Cornwall; Ward-Perkins 1954:172-3). The steelyards were cast in copper alloy then through a hole in the bottom the correct amount of lead was poured in to achieve the desired weight (ibid.). Steelyard weights were made on behalf of Edward I (AD 1272-1307), however copies were made; as this example is too fragmentary it is not possible to say if this was an offical, or unofficial copy. Most steelyards of this type date to the 13th century AD; the use of the steelyard was banned in 1350 partly because of the ease in which they were copied.