The original weight from early Viking age (8 -900 AD) is cast in lead and found in Kaupang near Larvik south in Norway. It is probably produced there since moulds for similar weights have also been found. They were used with balance scales by merchants for weighing silver when trading, for paying fines, and for weighing metals for casting.

It weighs is 8 grams or 1 "ertog", a unit of weight in the Viking age. Several other weights with the same cylindrical shape have been found in Kaupang, but few are decorated. Each decorative cross indicates the weight of half an ertog or 4 grams, the two crosses specifies 2 ertogs.

Silver ring with a weight as decoration

Jewelry from Kaupang --- the first Viking town in Norway

Silver ring with a weight
as decoration

Jewelry from Kaupang
--- the first Viking town in Norway