In today's world, Zolotnik has gained unavoidable relevance in numerous areas. Its impact extends from the personal to the professional, through the cultural, social and political spheres. Interest in Zolotnik has been increasing in recent years, becoming a topic of debate and reflection in various forums and media. Both experts and ordinary citizens are increasingly interested in understanding and analyzing the implications and challenges that Zolotnik poses in contemporary society. In this sense, this article aims to offer a panoramic and updated vision of Zolotnik, addressing its multiple facets and proposing a critical and reflective approach to this phenomenon that is omnipresent today.
A zolotnik (Russian: золотни́к, abbr.: zol.) is an obsolete 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. 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 solidus.
The Russian pound was known as the funt. There were 96 zolotniki in a pound. A smaller unit, the lot, was equal to three zolotniki. There were 96 dolya in a single zolotnik.
The zolotnik was also used to measure fineness of precious metals (gold, silver, platinum). In this case, the ratio zolotnik/funt was meant, so one zolotnik meant 1/96. For example, 14-karat (58.33%) gold was named "56-zolotnik gold" in Russia. As one karat means 1/24, one zolotnik is 1/4 karat.
91 zolotnik Russian silver has a millesimal fineness of 947.9. 88 zolotnik has a fineness of 916.6. It contains 91.66% pure silver. 84 zolotnik is the most common fineness of 875.[1]