Spink
Auction 20125 6 Oct 2020
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Indonesia, Sumatra, Palembang, Sultan Muhammad Bahaudin (1776-1804), cast tin Pitis, circular uniface type (51), legend al-sultan fi bilad palembang sanat 1113/1163/1173/ 1183/ 1193 (issued c. 1779), various date variants and types, together with similar tin Pitis (4), legends too crude for identification (Millies (1871), plate XIX, no.187; Wicks (1983), plate 22, 231; JONS 215, p.38, type 4 varieties), an interesting group for study, generally little circulated, extremely fine for type (55).
Mitchiner and Yih (JONS 215) say that these Pitis without a central hole were issued as part of a coinage reform in 1779 and continued in circulation until 1885 when a new coinage was introduced that reverted to featuring a central hole. They propose that the reason for their demise was the fact they could not be traded in the traditiional manner, as strings of cash. The many different types and obvious contemporary forgeries suggest that they must have had some popularity and acceptance locally, and may have been issued for more than a few years.
provenance
ex. Nicholas Rhodes Collection
Estimate: £50 - £70
Mitchiner and Yih (JONS 215) say that these Pitis without a central hole were issued as part of a coinage reform in 1779 and continued in circulation until 1885 when a new coinage was introduced that reverted to featuring a central hole. They propose that the reason for their demise was the fact they could not be traded in the traditiional manner, as strings of cash. The many different types and obvious contemporary forgeries suggest that they must have had some popularity and acceptance locally, and may have been issued for more than a few years.
provenance
ex. Nicholas Rhodes Collection
Estimate: £50 - £70