Krapivina, Valentina V. "Bronze Weights from Olbia" in Black Sea Studies 1 (Aarhus University Press, 2003)., pp. 117 - 130.
Available online:
http://www.researchgate.net/publication/238734190_Bronze_Weights_from_Olbia
http://www.pontos.dk/publications/books/bss-1-files/BSS1_11_Krapivina.pdf
ABSTRACT Weights from the northern Black Sea region became the subject of studies as early as the second half of the 19th century. Later, publication of weights was continued both in works devoted entirely to these objects and, in other publications, together with other finds from excavations. Nevertheless, the study of weights is still far from completion, as new finds constantly necessitate corrections of the prevailing assumptions. The weights from Olbia are mostly rectangular, square, and occasionally oval or rounded, metal plates, some of which have a small vertical ridge round their edges. Some weights are of conical, trapezoid or spheroid shape with a flattened base. Some examples are carefully executed, while others are of rather careless workmanship. 1 All of the previously published bronze weights from Olbia served as control weights. Noteworthy is the presence of a relief representation and an inscription on some of them (the names of the city and the agoranomos). 2 During recent years, new material has accumulated, which enables us to expand and refine our knowledge of the subject. First, I will describe all the bronze weights from Olbia known to me, both those previously published and the ones recently discovered. Catalogue 1. Collection of the Institute of Archaeology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (IA NASU), Kiev. Found on the shore of the liman (the river delta) in the northern part of Olbia, below the area NGS (the Lower City). Not cleaned; well preserved. The weight is rectangular, measuring 1.20 x 0.90-0.95 x 0.06 cm; weight 0.78 g. This specimen is of fairly careful workmanship, probably made from a bronze plate, and weighs roughly one obol.