For about a year I have a had a dealer searching throughout Sri Lanka for a very rare and little known coin of ancient Anuradhapura. These coins essentially rewrote the history of Sri Lankan numismatics in the mid 19th century. It was once thought that the earliest native coins of Sri Lanka were issued by Parakrambahu I (r. AD 1153-1186), having only been supplied by coinage from India and later Roman coins and their subsequent imitations. Then during an excavation of the Abhayagiri Dagoba, a massive Buddhist monastery, completed in the 2nd century BC, where approximately 50 pieces were found. The coins were said to have been dug from a very deep layer, dating to the the early 3rd century BC. With isolated finds over the next 150 years, several different arrangements of a handful of symbols has been found, as well as 2 distinct sizes some being cast while others were struck. Suggesting use as coin. The series is given the name "Elephant and Swastika", it is also the largest indigenous coin minted in ancient times and the first Lanka coin to employ the use of several symbols on the same side. This coin being minted shortly after Buddhism arrived in Lanka. The symbolism is indicative of most Buddhist themes you see on Lanakan Ancient coinage. The Chaitya (3 arched hill), The railed Swastika, The Elephant, The Bull (Nandipada) Symbol and the Bhodi Tree. Each one representing a different of the Buddha's life. There is also a triangle symbol added to the mix, this is called a Dhajaya or a type of Tamgha or Clan symbol. This collection of symbols is also found on the Mahatisa Inscription by King Devanplyatisa (r. BC 307-267), The layer was dated between (BC 300-190.) Most of the coins I can find pictures of appear to have been stripped of their patina and given new ones, while others are highly corroded. I think this has a lot to do with alloy of metal and the burial conditions. This is a difficult coin to obtain and took my guy about year, (and he is good) these generally are not offered at auction or for sale in your usual places. Most that own this coin know exactly what is and plan on being buried with it, I was reminded of how lucky I am to own this piece. This coin being very off center was almost a deal breaker but than I realized that all that it important is essentially still there. Lanaka Kingdom of Anuradhapura King Devanplyatisa (r. BC 307-267) AE RoundFull Unit 32 mm x 13.00 grams Obverse: Bo-tree, Railed Swastika, Dhajaya symbol, Elephant right.[Chaitya] all within a double boarder with Lines and dots. Reverse: Railed Swastika. Chaitya and Nandipada, all within a double boarder with Lines and dots. Ref: HW Codrington Ceylon, Coins and Currency (1924) Pl. I #7
Very nice and Congrats on that Big One! Clearly see the 3 Hills on Rev, and a Brahma Bull on the Obv?
Great write-up, and a historic piece ! Here another webpage devoted to these coins: https://sirimunasiha.wordpress.com/2011/07/14/elephant-and-swastika/
Congratulations on your persistence in finding this very interesting rarity! What are the theories regarding its function? Was it for commerce? Was it a religious or commemorative token?
@TIF the question you ask is not easy to answer. Most of the ancient inscriptions refer to coins in the thousands or hundreds of thousands, and rarely if ever make reference to their use in the common market prior to the 5th century AD. Most taxes and fines are known to have been paid in uncoined metal. Yet it is a most ancient tradition to deposit a large amount of coins at the founding of a structure, a practice performed well into the medieval period. The very small number of finds and surviving denominations suggest a short emission but being deposited in different locations in different strata suggest a use long after its intended purpose. The wear and evidence of usage prior to the deposits also suggest the coin was circulated prior to burial as in the case of the dedication of the Abhayagiri Dagoba. I guess one could think of it as a limited time special circulating issue ( maybe like a Susan B. Anthony) that indeed commemorates the arrival of Buddhism in Sri Lanka by the Mauryan king Ashoka the Great. At a later date this coin could have been reused as a token or votive offering but that part of the story is now lost to us.
Cool coin and wonderful write-up as usual @Ancientnoob !!! Since I just received my VA supplied reading glasses, I IMMEDIATELY could tell it was an elephant and not a bull
another cool eastern ancient i had no idea existed....congrats on picking up this one AN. i enjoyed your write up as well! i'll post this common coin from another place and time...but has similar "stuff" on it. Sunga Empire, AE 1/2 karashapana, 2nd-1 Century BC O: Elephant, Indra-dhvaja, tree, swastika, taurine; R: hollow cross, stupa, bodhi tree, taurine. 14 mm, 2.6 g, Mitchiner ACW 4348-4352?
Jeeze, @chrsmat71 I hope you realize that is one of the best Sunga coins out there, in both condition and completeness. I envy this piece. Here is mine for comparison.
