Sri Lanka (Ceylon), Anonymous (c.960-1214), gold Kahavanu, 4.40g, type II (2) 'adahanda (half-moon)' and lotus, standing figure of Ceylon style, palm tree and lamp stand under arm in left field, holding an adahanda right, three annulets below right, beneath feet a segmented line connecting a conch left and another adahanda right, rev. figure seated right on an asana (low throne), holding an open lotus, Devanagari legend in right field Sri Lamka Vibhu (fortunate lord of Sri Lanka) (Codrington 48 var; Mitchiner, Southern India, part 2, -), dark deposit in obverse fields, reverse a little double struck, good very fine, scarce.
As these coins are classified by Codrington as 'type II' they may have been an early issue. This is no.2 of his type II issues that has a conch at either end of what he refers to as a 'lotus stalk' running under the feet of the standing figure. He mentions a variant with an adahanda at either end. This particular coin has one of each symbol and is not illustrated by him and may be considered rare. , The metallic composition of this particular coin is uncertain, although XRF tests of type II (2) coins have shown they contain around 40% of gold, over 40% of silver and 5-10% copper.
Estimate: £200 - £250