The History and Significance of the Zolotnik Unit of Measurement

Zolotnik (also spelled zolotniki or goldfinches) is a unit of measurement that was historically used in Russia and other Slavic countries to measure the weight of precious metals, particularly gold. The word "zolotnik" comes from the Russian word "золотник," which means "goldsmith."

One zolotnik was equal to 1/7200 of a pound (or 1/96 of an ounce), which is roughly equivalent to 0.05 grams. This unit of measurement was used to weigh small amounts of gold and other precious metals, as well as coins and jewelry.

The use of the zolotnik as a unit of measurement dates back to the Kievan Rus' state in the 10th century, and it remained in use until the late 19th century, when it was replaced by the metric system. Today, the term "zolotnik" is still used in Russia and other Slavic countries as a colloquialism to refer to small amounts of gold or other precious metals.