Two very interesting specimens and probably the least understood of coins of antiquity. Mitchiner in his 1979 publication Oriental Coins and Their Values Non Islamic States and Western Colonies AD 600-1979 describes these as coins of the Khmer Empire of Angkor. Little, if any research has been done on these coins since that time, most likely due to the challenges of archaeological exploration of the region in the modern era. This is literally the final frontier of numismatics. As stated before current scholarship is non existent on these. Some believe they are tokens or gambling pieces. Although Mitchiner makes the case that they fill the internal currency void that existed in the region after the fall of the Pyu city states in the opening years of the 9th century AD. The silver coinage which had flourished for centuries fell out of use with the demise of Funan and Pyu and the vast maritime economy came to an abrupt end. Thus replaced by a local circulation of these cast lead coins. There is virtually no historical record for the use of coinage at Angkor until the mid 16th century, and later with the arrival of Europeans in the 17th and 18th centuries. (thanks Wikipedia for the map) Here I present two of the specimens. Top Coin: Cambodia, Angkor Anonymous Civic Coinage Pb Circular 5 Units (AD 802-1431) 36 mm x 17.31 grams Obverse: Floral Lotus Pattern repeated 4 times around central hole Reverse: Floral Lotus Pattern repeated 4 times around central hole Ref: MNISWC (1979) 2654 (pictured), smaller uncatalogued denomination. Bottom Coin: Cambodia, Angkor Anonymous Civic Coinage Pb 5-Lobed 6 Units (AD 802-1431) 37 mm x 23.06 grams Obverse: Floral Lotus Pattern repeated 5 times around central hole. Reverse: Floral Lotus Pattern repeated 5 times around central hole. Ref: MNISWC (1979) 2654 (5 lobed denomination)
i just watched a docu. about historical changes in weather and it showed the ruins of Angkor and told of how that great city of over a million at one time came to a end when the monsoons didn't come for a period of time.
Noob, I'm not interested in the coins, but I loved the thread-title so I gave you a like! I hope things are good, coin-bro Cheers to the Noobs!
Very nice. I have never seen this type except in pictures! There are a few other specimens in Zeno.ru's SOUTHEAST ASIA » Native coins » Cambodia category.
Weird synchronicity: Just a couple of days ago I was thinking about the Khmer coinage, and now you posted here about it! I own a small round 1-unit and a five-lobed type. unfortunately don't have any photos handy and the coins are in the bank safety deposit box right now. Anyway, thanks for posting these!
These are both cool. I like the 5-lobed coins for their design. PB? I would definitely carry those around in my mouth just like the Ancient Greeks purported to do with the tiny tetartemorions, etc... Yeah, I know these are large, but the flavor...
I was able to locate two additional specimens from Angkor c. 802 - 1431 AD. This time a larger 10 Units (?) 40 mm x 30.32 grams and a smaller 5 lobed 6 Units (?) 29 mm x 19.90 grams.
