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# Weighing

# Definition

The process of measuring the weight of metals used in exchange, necessary for unstamped metal currency but creating significant inconvenience when required for every small transaction, particularly problematic for precious metals where small weight differences create large value differences.

## Source Chapter

Book I, Chapter 4

## Context

Smith identifies weighing as the second major inconvenience of unstamped metal currency, noting that requiring precise weighing for every transaction would make commerce excessively burdensome and impractical for everyday exchange.

## Economic Domain

Exchange

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