Zolotnik

A zolotnik (in Russian: золотник; abbr.: zol.) was a small Russian unit of weight, equal to 0.1505 avoirdupois ounces, or 4.2658 grams (about 65.83 grains). Used from the 10th to 20th centuries, its name is derived from the Russian word "zoloto", meaning gold. It is therefore related to the words "gold" and "yellow". As a unit, the zolotnik was the standard for silver manufacture, much as the troy ounce is currently used for gold and other precious metals.

This unit was originally based on a coin of the same name. The zolotnik circulated in the Kievan Rus until the 11th century; it was equal in weight to the Byzantine Empire's denarius.

Relation to other units

The Russian pound was known as the funt. Originally, there were 96 zolotnik in a pound; this ratio was changed to 72. A smaller unit, the lot, was equal to three zolotnik. There were 96 dolya in a single zolotnik.

ee also

*Zloty
*Obsolete Russian weights and measures
*Obsolete Tatar weights and measures

Russian measurements

*Berkovets
*Pood

External links

* [http://www.lajzar.co.uk/unit/system/new-ru.html Traditional Russian Measures]
* [http://www.convert-me.com/en/convert/units/weight/weight.zolotnik.en.html Conversion factors from zolotnik to other units of mass (contemporary and ancient)]