Kahavanu
Encyclopedia : K : KA : KAH : Kahavanu
Medieval Sri Lanka Gold Coin
| Type | Struck |
| Diameter | 19.2 mm |
| Thickness | 2.8 mm |
| Weight Std. | 4.54 gms |
| Edge | Plain |
| DieAxis | O° |
The General description of the Lanka type gold Kahavanu, is as follows :-
The obverse is a Standing figure, head to right, crowned in a dhoti (garment), indicated by the curved line on either side of, and sometimes by one or more between the legs, and standing on a lotus plant stalk with varying finials. The left arm is bent, and holds a flower or other object before the face; The right arm is extended with hand over a symbol (1a) consisting of a straight shaft with short cross pieces, ending in four prongs, which are narrow and curve upward and downward. The elbow is over a similar symbol (2) but with a plain shank and upside down. To the right a varying number of annulets or balls. A beaded circle along the periphery of the coin.
The reverse is a figure, head right, crowned, squatting upon a asana (bed-like throne), represented by a oblong frame divided lengthwise by a line and crosswise by a varying number of lines; dhoti represented by one or more lines between the legs, the two ends at the waist appearing at either side of the body. The right arm is pendant over the right knee, which is drawn up; the left arm is bent, and holds an object as in the obverse. In field to right, Devanagari legend in three lines : Sri Lanka Vibu. Vibhu is a title of Vishnu. A beaded circle along the periphery of coin.
The three main Types and subtypes as defined in Codrington are adopted in general. Types I and II are more rare and characterized by elaborate formations of the Sri, the fineness of the lettering and the more sinuous lines of the body. In Type III with coarser figures the Sri resembles that of the Chola King Rajaraja; the letters of the legend are thicker and letters on the right slightly higher than those on the left.
Warning
In 1907 John Still puts a footnote to the word "genuine" I quote How rare genuine specimens are I am inclined to think very few people thoroughly recognize. Gold "Lankesvaras" and "Vijaya Bahus" are turned out wholesale in Kandy now, and are so skillfully done that most of them are duly absorbed into collections. The improved manufacture of late is marked"
References
- Codrington, H. W. (1924) Ceylon Coins and Currency, Memoirs of the Colombo Museum, Series A No 3, Ceylon Government Printer.
- Still, John, (1907) Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society Ceylon Branch
External links
- http://lakdiva.org/coins/medievallanka/kahavanu_I.A_au.html
From Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Original article here. Support Wikipedia by contributing or donating.
All text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License See Wikipedia Copyrights for details.