Historical information

Troy weight is a system of units of mass from an unknown origin. While the name Troi is believed to have come from Troyes in the north east of France the system used primarily in the precious metals industry and adopted in Australia originated in 15th century England. Troy weight units are the 'grain' and 'pennyweight' (24 grains), the troy ounce (20 pennyweights), and the troy pound (12 troy ounces). One troy ounce equals 31.1034768 grams. The troy ounce and grain were also part of the apothecaries' system and was long used in medicine, but has now been largely replaced by the metric system (milligrams). When the Weights and Measures Act was passed in Victoria in 1862 local inspectors were established throughout the colony to ensure accuracy particularly in the weighing of gold. By the 1870's each local council had a set of standards that were used to test the scales, weights and measures of local merchants and businesses. This set would have been de commissioned some time after 1947 and was offered back to the Borough of Eaglehawk in 1989.

Physical description

Hinged, lockable wooden box with brass handle, hinges, latches and lock. Remnant wax on front face of box above and below lock. Interior of box is lined with purple velvet which is worn in several places. Box houses nine troy weights ranging in size from 100oz Troy to 2oz Troy. 1oz Troy is missing. Accompanying set is a two page letter from Weights and Measures Branch of Consumer Affairs offering set back to the Borough of Eaglehawk in 1989.
Troy Weights:
Part a) 100oz Weight, 68 mm Diameter at base x 113 mm H
b) 50 oz Weight, 53 mm D x 90 mm H
c) 30 oz Weight, 45 mm D x 77 mm H
d) 20 oz Weight, 39 mm D x 65 mm H
e) 16 oz Weight, 37 mm D x 60 mm H
f) 8 oz Weight, 30 mm D x 47 mm H
g) 4 oz Weight, 24mm D x 36 mm H
h) 2 oz Weight, 19mm D x 28 mm H
i) 1oz missing
Hinged Wooden Box:
Part j)171 mm H x 300mm W x 196 mm D
Typed two page letter:
Part k) 295 mm H x 210 mm W x 1 mm

Inscriptions & markings

Top Troy: Each Troy weight stamped with small symbol made up of the number 5, an image of a crown and the word STANDARD.
Side Troy : Each Troy weight stamped with small symbol made up of the number 5, an image of a crown and the word STANDARD above a series of date stamps recording every time the weight was tested.
Date stamps: 30.4.1866; 16.9.81, 30 12.86; 1.2.92; 10.5.97; 15.1.04; 10.2.09; 17.12.14; 20.4.20; 29.9.25; 23.1.31; 18.6.36; 14.7.41: 11.7.47
Exterior Top of Box: Remnant of paper pasted to wood. Faint printed text 'ON HIS MAJESTY'S SERVICE'.