"The unit of value in the Roman and old Italian coinages, was made of copper, or of the mixed metal called Aes. It was originally of the weight of a pound of twelve ounces whence it was called as libralis and aes grave. The oldest form of the as is that which bears the figure of an animal. The next and most common form is that which has the two-faced head of Janus on one side, and the prow of a ship on the other (whence the expression sed by Roman boys in tossing up)" — Smith, 1873

As

"The unit of value in the Roman and old Italian coinages, was made of copper, or of the mixed metal…

"The unit of value in the Roman and old Italian coinages, was made of copper, or of the mixed metal called Aes. It was originally of the weight of a pound of twelve ounces whence it was called as libralis and aes grave. The oldest form of the as is that which bears the figure of an animal. The next and most common form is that which has the two-faced head of Janus on one side, and the prow of a ship on the other (whence the expression sed by Roman boys in tossing up)" — Smith, 1873

As

"The unit of value in the Roman and old Italian coinages, was made of copper, or of the mixed metal…

"A balance, a pair of scales. The principal parts of this instrument were: 1. The beam. 2. The two scales, called in Latin lances. The beam was made without a tongue, being held by a ring or other appendage, fixed in the centre. The annexed woodcut represents Mercury and Apollo engaged in exploring the fates of Achilles and Memnon, by weighing the attendent genius of the one against that of the other." — Smith, 1873

Libra

"A balance, a pair of scales. The principal parts of this instrument were: 1. The beam. 2. The two scales,…

"The constellation which is prominent in early summer in the skies of the southern United States (where the whole of the magnificent tail clears the horizon), contains the first magnitude red star Antares and several of the second magnitude. With the Chaldeans and Greeks is extended over one sixth of the planetary circle, the scorpion being represented with exaggerated claw embracing a circular space where Libra is now placed." —Whitney, 1889

The Scorpio Constellation, with Libra

"The constellation which is prominent in early summer in the skies of the southern United States (where…

"The twelve signs of the zodiac, together with the Sun, and the Earth revolving around him. When the Earth is at A, the Sun will appear to be just entering the sign Aries, because then, when seen from the Earth, he ranges towards certain stars at the beginning of that constellation. When the Earth is at C, the Sun will appear in the opposite part of the heavens, and therefore in the beginning of Libra. The middle line, dividing the circle of the zodiac into equal parts, is the line of the ecliptic." —Comstock, 1850

Zodiac Signs

"The twelve signs of the zodiac, together with the Sun, and the Earth revolving around him. When the…