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Auction 21117 26 Jan 2021
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Sri Lanka (Ceylon), Vijaya Bahu I (1055-1111), silver plated Kahavanu, 3.70g, (type III), standing figure of Ceylon style, holding a flower right, lamp stand alone under arm in left field, four annulets with a solid bead above in right, rev. figure seated right, holding a conch shell right, crude Devanagari legend in right field Sri Vija ya Ba hu (Codrington 73; Mitchiner, Southern India, part 2, 319), deeply struck, some file marks on edge in area of seated figure's head, otherwise about extremely fine and rare.
It is generally agreed that these coins were issued by Vijaya Bahu I. They closely resemble the Kahavanus struck in the name of Raja Raja I during the Chola occupation, and it was Vijaya Bahu I who successfully united the various strands of the Sinhanlese royal house behind him and ousted the Cholas from the island. He assumed control of the then capital, Polonnaruwa in 1069. , It is likely these coins were issued after 1070. Codrington notes that this type is found in both silver and gold. Please refer to the previous lot for the gold version. We are fortunate to find both types offered here as they are both rare.
Estimate: £150 - £220
It is generally agreed that these coins were issued by Vijaya Bahu I. They closely resemble the Kahavanus struck in the name of Raja Raja I during the Chola occupation, and it was Vijaya Bahu I who successfully united the various strands of the Sinhanlese royal house behind him and ousted the Cholas from the island. He assumed control of the then capital, Polonnaruwa in 1069. , It is likely these coins were issued after 1070. Codrington notes that this type is found in both silver and gold. Please refer to the previous lot for the gold version. We are fortunate to find both types offered here as they are both rare.
Estimate: £150 - £220