The full descriptions of all the cases are given in both Ruding and Lawrence. The descriptions of five cases are given - the first of wood with 14 coin-weights, a balance, a suite of weights marked from 1 to 5 dwts (pennyweights) and a suite of up to 5 grain weights, the whole to cost 4s 6d. This order was followed in 1588 by another for the manufacture of small cases for balances and weights 'to weigh all manner of gold coins current within the realm'. No other weights were to be used on pain of imprisonment and every city, borough and corporate town was required to hold such a set. Ruding 1 quotes an order dated 1587 to the warden of the Mint in the Tower to prepare upright balances and 'true' weights marked with a crowned 'E' (for Elizabeth). In the 16th century special cases of weights complete with scales were made for weighing the various coins current. These Roman numerals last appear on English coin-weights in the reign of James II (1685-88). From the beginning of the 16th century square coin-weights are used, still uniface until Henry VIII's reign, when the coin value in shillings (S) and pence (D) began to be placed on the reverse in Roman numerals. Early English coin-weights are round and uniface, and the design is usually based on the main design of the coin that it represents. The first weights that we recognise from documentary sources today are those for the gold Noble and its half and quarter dating from the 1420's. No official coin-weights are known for the silver sterling penny and in fact all known coin-weights of English origin are for gold coins until the reign of Charles I (1625-49).
Coin-weights or penny-poises are mentioned in Statutes as early as 1205 during the reign of King John for use as a deterrent against the passing of light or clipped coins.
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