The Mystery Of South East Asian Coinage

Those who frequent the board might have seen my two most recent threads on Pyu and Funan might have realized that these coins are not the usual classical ancient. They are quite exotic and havea style all unto themselves.

I made an attempt to further research these coins in hopes of expanding my numismatic knowledge. Unfortunately, I have only been able to find a few snippets of books online and few mentions in the various numismatic boards, I attempted to tackle the subject by looking at results from excavations and the cataloging of other artifacts. At the end of the day I feel like I know less than when I started.

I have come to the conclusion that these coins are of the most mysterious nature. I started with compulsive reading on the "Sun Rising over the Ocean" type commonly attributed to the Kingdom of Funan. When sold these coins are marketed as just that, Funan Coins. After reading a few older articles on the excavations and the radiocarbon and thermo luminescent analysis of the wood columns and gates at the oldest Pyu City state of Beikthano they determined that the city's oldest structures date to about AD 70 and the fiery destruction of the city occurred just before AD 500. The city was completely devoid of the Buddhist and Hindu artifacts that are commonly found at Halin and Sri Ksetra, but what is found is the Rising Sun coinage. Hum? If these coins are found in abundance in the 3rd to 5th century strata of the site does this mean that these coins originated in this location because they are considerably older then like coins found in the Kingdom of Funan (6th to 7th century AD)?

Would it be safe to theorize that the coins were simply carried off and reused in another distant area, rather than being copies of the type? If Funan a Buddhist kingdom was under Chenla Hindu subjugation by the time of Beikthano's destruction and the Buddhist had been all but whipped out in Cambodia, Thailand and Southern Vietnam, would the coins continue to carry strong Buddhist influence after the fact?

Since no evidence of a manufacturing center has been discovered at the Funan sites but have been at the Pyu sites is it safe to assume these are really some of the earliest Beikthano, Pyu coins. Several other heavy types similar to the Sri Ksetra type I posted have been recovered in all three cities dating to the 300s AD, which are all rare and seem to have wide distribution and short emission period. There is little hoard evidence and most coins are often found as single specimens and when found in hoards are found with several different types independently dated as late as 832 AD, the final fall of the Pyu from repeated Chinese and Burmese invasion.

I am not sure if I have all the facts right. I am also not sure if all the information I am reading is current, I suppose this is an example of buy the book then the coin. (Nah) I buy the coin before the book. I know there is a new book out (Mahlo) which attempts to shine some light on this. I have a coin coming from Scott Seman and he was nice enough to share the excerpt of the book with the new coin mentioned. Its a rare type minted sometime in the mid 300's at Halin. It is similar the Sri Ksetra piece but nearly 11 grams pure silver. I wont post a picture of it till I have it in hand, (Thats bad ju-ju.)

Chinese sources in the 7th century say the Pyu had coins made of Gold and silver. No Pyu gold coin has ever been recovered. Pyu coins of all sizes have been recovered some have even been recovered along side Roman coins, presumably from trade with India.

I have to wonder if the use of coins ended in 832 AD and did not resume until the early modern period, and barter was the way of the land under the Pegu and subsequent peoples, then maybe these "coins" were not coins at all, but rather pendants or amulets used for bullion similar to Roman coins used in India. A great number of Pyu coins are hold and seem to be used as jewelry for many centuries.

Would it be possible for some of the other numismatists out there to weigh in with your thoughts, because based on what I have read, your guess is as good as any.