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Auction 21117 26 Jan 2021
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Sri Lanka (Ceylon), conquest of Raja Raja Chola (985-1014), base gold/silver Kahavanu, 4.30g, standing figure of Ceylon style, holding a flower right, lamp stand under arm in left field, four annulets with a solid bead above in right, rev. figure seated right, holding a conch shell right, Devanagari legend in right field Sri Raja Raja (Codrington 104; Mitchiner, Southern India, part 2, 318), edge damage at 1 o'clock, extremely fine, rare.
It is thought that these coins were struck following Raja Raja's invasion of Ceylon in 1001, specifically for use on the island. Its design follows closely the gold Kahavanus struck in Ceylon prior to this time (type III). Kahavanus attributed to the Cholas of late 10th century Tamil Nadu were struck in silver and did not feature the standing or seated figures that so characterise Celyon coins of the period. , Two different types of this coinage were issued by Raja Raja I. This coin has a solid bead above the annulets on the obverse. Coins of this type are more commonly found in Ceylon itself. , The metallic composition of this coin is uncertain, although XRF tests of similar coins have shown they contain under 38% of gold, a higher percentage of silver and a small percentage of copper.
Estimate: £250 - £300
It is thought that these coins were struck following Raja Raja's invasion of Ceylon in 1001, specifically for use on the island. Its design follows closely the gold Kahavanus struck in Ceylon prior to this time (type III). Kahavanus attributed to the Cholas of late 10th century Tamil Nadu were struck in silver and did not feature the standing or seated figures that so characterise Celyon coins of the period. , Two different types of this coinage were issued by Raja Raja I. This coin has a solid bead above the annulets on the obverse. Coins of this type are more commonly found in Ceylon itself. , The metallic composition of this coin is uncertain, although XRF tests of similar coins have shown they contain under 38% of gold, a higher percentage of silver and a small percentage of copper.
Estimate: £250 - £300