AboutBill & Jan Berning Expertise We can answer almost any question regarding antique scales of any type.
Experience We are dealers in antique coin operated penny scales and parts. We collect antique scales of all types.
Bill has been buying and selling scales and mail order penny scale parts since 1983. Jan started collecting small scales of all types in 1977. Our combined collection of antique scales contains over 2200 scales. We are the authors of the book Scales: A Collector's Guide and The revised & Expanded 2nd Edition of Scales: A Collector's Guide. Jan is the editor of "Equilibrium" the journal of The International Society of Antique Scale Collectors. Our website is www.PennyScale.com
Organizations The International Society of Antique Scale Collectors www.isasc.org, Coin Operated Collectors Association
Publications Articles by or about the Bernings have appeared in issues of “Southeastern Antiquing and Collecting Magazine”, “This Old House”, "Reminisce", “Equilibrium” and “Country Living”.
Education/Credentials Jan: BS FACS & Art University of Georgia
I have a balance beam scale in the tin box Face says "miners improved Gold Scale" In middle is a bird over a shield and at bottom it says Manufactured expressly for California
Inside is he scale and weights and a note saying this was used in a store in Vermont between 1770and 1795 by two gentleman named in the note in their store.
I would like to sell this kit and would like to know how best to do this
If you are in that buss I would like to know that or can you recomnd someone. I also have more pictures
Answer Hi Charles,
Your Miners Improved Gold Scale is identical to one pictured in our book
Scales: A Collector's Guide on page 84. These scales, with the tole painted case, feature an American Eagle on their lids. Scales like yours were manufactured and used extensively during the California Gold Rush of 1849. Retail value might be $200-$400. These often sell for a fair price on Ebay.
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