Bali. Pis Asamsya. Tin. Period unknown. Although pretty modern, I felt that the classic Chinese cash design suits this section more than the modern section... The Balinese community in Indonesia is one of the remnants of the ancient Majapahit Empire. Maintaining their Hindu beliefs in an otherwise overwhelming Muslim Indonesia, a common religious ritual involved the offering of coins to their gods. Due to trade and Chinese influence, cash coins were used but eventually local coinage bearing cash coin designs but with Balinese inscriptions was used such as the following specimen. Inscribed in Balinese script are the sacred texts "Sa Ba Ta Aa Ang Ah" from the Balinese scriptures. Also believed to provide divine protection to the owner of this coin.
Interesting that they retained the 'classic Chinese cash design'.....How 'modern' are they?? I suppose you would have to guess since you specify "Period Unknown" ?
Yes.. unfortunately they are not dated. But the earliest types of coin offerings uses actual Chinese coins from trade with China or from Indonesian Chinese vassal kingdoms. I would estimate this approximately 18th or 19th century maybe
Beautiful coin! Interesting with script on both sides on a cash coin. I regret I have none from this paradise area of the world!
