Dayton Computing Scale Value Guide

The Dayton Style No. 167 computing scale is a cornerstone of early 20th-century retail history, famously produced by the company that eventually became IBM. These scales revolutionized commerce by using a mechanical system to automatically calculate prices based on weight, making them essential fixtures in American candy and general stores.

What Is Dayton Computing Scale Worth?

The typical price range for Dayton Computing Scale is $800 - $1,000 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• The presence and clarity of the original brass finish and decorative pinstriping significantly increase market value.
• Operational integrity of the internal computing mechanism and the legibility of the weight-to-price chart.
• Completeness of original parts, particularly the brass weighing pan and the glass viewing windows.
• Historical provenance or evidence of use in a specific documented general store or apothecary.

How to Identify Dayton Computing Scale?

• Look for the 'Style No. 167' designation cast into the frame or printed on the original manufacturer's plate.
• Verify the heavy cast iron body and brass components which are characteristic of the 1900-1920 production era.
• Check for the Computing Scale Company branding, often featuring the Dayton, Ohio, origin mark.
• Examine the internal computing chart for the specific font and layout used in early 1900s retail scales.

History of Dayton Computing Scale

Dayton Computing Scales were revolutionary for their time, first patented in 1891 by Wilhelm and Herman Ohmer. These scales were designed to simplify transactions for merchants, automatically calculating the price of goods based on their weight. The Computing Scale Company, based in Dayton, Ohio, became a prominent manufacturer, eventually merging with others to form the International Business Machines Corporation, famously known as IBM. This particular style, No. 167, was a popular model in candy stores and general stores in the early 20th century.