Hindu Temple Tokens? - Coin Community Forum

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Author	Replies: 4 / Views: 3,664
Archraz Pillar of the Community United States 3499 Posts	Posted 01/26/2010 9:22 pm I just got a couple of these from my dealer today. I think that they make be Hindu Temple tokens, but I'm not entirely sure. What do you make of these? Also, what kind of value would you place on these? Thanks! Both show no signs of casting, have a bit of dirt in the crevices (indicating having been dug), and have the same design. Edited by Archraz 01/26/2010 9:25 pm Report this Post to the Staff

Sap Moderator Australia 16846 Posts	Posted 01/27/2010 12:05 am No, these are actual coins from mediaeval Sri Lanka. I've got to go now but that should give you a start. Don't say "infinitely" when you mean "very"; otherwise, you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite. - C. S. Lewis Report this Post to the Staff
Archraz Pillar of the Community United States 3499 Posts	Posted 01/27/2010 12:15 am Sap- They are medieval Sri Lankan? Whoa... I just presumed that they must have been crude, modern tokens. I must admit that my dealer got them in a bulk deal, and later asked me what they were. He pretty much took my word for it when quoting a price for me ($3 a piece). If these end up being rather notable with regard to scarcity or value, then...,well, I would feel as though I accidentally misled him. So this is one instance where a collector hopes that a couple of his coins are not that valuable. haha Report this Post to the Staff
Sap Moderator Australia 16846 Posts	Posted 01/27/2010 03:23 am OK, I'm back home and can put a bit more time to this. The coin is known as a copper "massa", and coins with this same basic design were struck by the independent Sinhalese kingdom from roughly 1150 to 1450 AD. On the obverse, "the king" is seated enthroned; the armrests and sides of the throne look like a second pair of legs, giving him an "octopus-like" appearance. On the reverse, a reclining figure appears to be "dancing", with some Sanskrit characters to the right. This website has some excellent picture-match identification guides. Using the guides there, I believe yours is a match for king Sasha Malla, who reigned relatively briefly from 1200 to 1202. As for value, these coins are typically tossed in dealer's "too hard baskets". I paid $2 for an unidentified coin that turned out to be a Queen Lilavati coin, which is commoner than yours. Identified ones I've seen in dealer's displays have been valued at around $8 to $20. Don't say "infinitely" when you mean "very"; otherwise, you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite. - C. S. Lewis Report this Post to the Staff
Archraz Pillar of the Community United States 3499 Posts	Posted 01/27/2010 1:32 pm Sap- Wow! I really learned much from your response and link. I am really glad that my coins are in fact real, medieval, and not worth too much given the circumstances in which I bought them. Thanks for the link and for all of your help! Report this Post to the Staff
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