Lead, 34.19 grams, 21.49 mm. Circa 8th-9th century AD. A solid lead weight of probable Scandinavian manufacture, it is formed as a block with triangular section and quadrangular sides and base. The use of lead-only weights declined as types with embedded objects became popular, suggesting that this is an early example from the 8th or 9th century. Scandinavian metrics have been much discussed, and it seems likely that in the 8th century and for some time thereafter there were many local standards of weight and length. The present piece is approx. 1.3 of the earlier øre weights. Reference: Kruse, S. Trade and Exchange Across Frontiers in Graham-Campbell, J. & Williams, G. (eds.) Silver Economy in the Viking Age, Walnut Creek, 2007. Very fine condition. Provenance: found North East England.