Object Details
Maker
Attributed to I. and O. Westwood (British, active ca. 1770-1792)
Date
1775-1776
Geography
United Kingdom: England: Birmingham
Culture
British
Medium
metal; countermarks, brass; laid paper
Dimensions
Overall: 2 1/2 in x 5 in; 6.35 cm x 12.7 cm
Provenance
Captain Elias Pelletreau I (1726-1810) the silversmith; to his son, Elias Pelletreau II (1757-1831), a silversmith; to his son, Col. Elias Smith Pelletreau (1789-1821), to his son, Jesse Woodhull Pelletreau (1816-1876) to Robert S. Pelletreau (1867-1943), to his son, Robert H. Pelletreau (1908-1999), the donor
Inscriptions
Brass coin weights with crown countermarks: One of two guineas is marked "P.wt/ G.I/ 2*16/ HALF Guinea, and the other "P.wt/ G.I/ 2 * 14/ HALF GUINEA." Together with handwritten note, attached to interior of lid: "Crowns -9/-each ½ Johanis [sic] 64/ to weigh, 9 penny wt. / Guineas 37/ to weigh 5 penny wt. 6 grams / every gram over 3 and under 4 to deduct." Laid paper attached to case with red seal wax. Countermarks bearing hallmark of crown, together with punches to denote denomination of each weight.
Credit Line
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Robert H. Pelletreau in honor of their son, Ambassador Robert H. Pelletreau, Jr. in recognition of his service as a Foreign Service Officer.
Collection
The Diplomatic Reception Rooms, U.S. Department of State, Washington, D.C.
Accession Number
RR-1987.0016.7