Brass, 16.5 x 16mm, 6.19 gram.  King enthroned facing.  Rv. Large crown above H·R·  W.331.  RRR                                            

On 31 July 1618 James I (VI in Scotland) made a proclamation commanding the master of the mint within the Tower of London to prepare a sufficient number of upright balances and true weights (for the new coins which we now refer to as the 3rd coinage) to be ready to deliver at reasonable prices to all such as should require the same. And the chief officers in all cities, boroughs, and towns corporate in the realm of England, and the principality of Wales, were commanded to have one pair of the said weights for trial of the weights of the said coins. And all persons were forbidden to have or use any other weights, than as aforesaid, for the said coins of gold, remedies or abatements. A similar proclamation was made on 25 November following in Edinburgh. This authorised Charles Dickeson, sinker of the irons, in the mint at Edinburgh, to make the weights and commanded him to sell them at the price of 12 shillings Scots and no more. All others were forbidden. The prices at which the gold coins were to be current were set forth. The Scots, however, were not minded to obey the proclamation, and on 7 February of the following year those who should have obtained scales and weights, but had not done so, were reminded that they must do so before 24 June.                  

We believe that the weights produced at the Edinburgh mint are those without a value stated on the reverses, to avoid confusion between the English and Scottish shilling values.