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 Replies: 10 / Views: 2,750 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5155 Posts |
The City States of Pyu. Ancient Burma. I remember reading somewhere that Ancient Burma had coins! In my attempt collect at least one coin of each ancient empire, I moved eastward having recently picked up some Chinese and Indian coins, Indo-China just seemed to make sense as the next place to stop and look for ancient empires with coins. I used to think that all Far Eastern empires cast coins in the style akin to the Cash of China and that is true for Vietnam and Japan but not for Burma or Thailand. The coin I picked up is a large full unit with a hole. Struck in the walled city of Srikshetra. The coin is the largest denomination know for the series. These coins are very rare and are often holed as they were worn as amulets, or carried about on strings. The use of coins fell out of use in the 9th century and did not resume until the 17th century. These full unit coins are quite large and heavy and of high purity silver, uncommon in the world at the time. Judging by the weight of the coin and diameter it is assumed that the the coin represented 96 ratti (a seed of a flower in India) and is an earlier issue as the weight declined to about 9 grams in the 9th century. All these coins are rare. Burma, The States of Pyu, The City of Srikshetra AR Full Unit s. 632-835 AD 33 mm x 10.60 g obverse: Bhadrapitha Symbol. A Drum tied in the center with diadems. reverse: Srivatsa symbol (the Temple of Sri, fertility goddess) with sun and moon above, conch shell on the right and thunderbolt to the left.  If interested read here... http://www.anythinganywhere.com/inf...zmyanmar.htmEdited by Ancientnoob
09/10/2013 12:19 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1391 Posts |
AN: I love reading about these different types of coins you are finding. I don't comment on them all but I do read them. I am drawn to your idea of finding coins from places in the margins of history.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
5155 Posts |
Thanks 'ranger, it means a lot when people take interest in the things a like. It makes posting worth while. Thanks for checking them out.   |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2480 Posts |
Very cool, once again! Quote:
The use of coins fell out of use in the 9th century and did not resume until the 17th century. What did they use for commerce during those years? Barter? |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2838 Posts |
I too like to see your posts Anoob - although I dont collect this area its great to see variety on here and always interesting |
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
I also took for granted that all South East Asian countries minted cash type coins. It's interesting to see that some did not and coined their only style. Excellent coin and a nice addition to your collection of non classical coins.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5155 Posts |
Thanks guys. Information on these coins is not easy to come by. There hasn't been much coming out of Burma as far numismatic or archeological information since the 1962 Coup. Many of the city states have not been excavated and many unknown areas lay undisturbed deep in the jungle. I did find an example of my coin here at the British Museum. http://www.britishmuseum.org/explor...u_kings.aspxI also found it interesting that the coin was given the same name as a large medieval Caliphate coin about 5 grams in weight. The weight and diameter of the Pyu full unit is quite impressive, and quite surprising considering the obscurity of people. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
Cool coin and an interesting read...of a coin/culture I knew nothing about. Totally understandable to string a coin like this--a silver coin this size would have real value anywhere. |
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Pillar of the Community
Netherlands
1204 Posts |
Interesting and nicr coin! Thanks for sharing!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5155 Posts |
*The Kicker*
The Pyu were Buddhist who believed they were descended from the Tribe Shakaya. The same as THE Buddha.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4981 Posts |
now that is an interesting coin, haven't seen anything like it. I thought at first that may be some type of fire alter type thing on the reverse. big and chunky also...just like I like 'em.
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Replies: 10 / Views: 2,750 |
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Posted 09/10/2013 12:15 am
