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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Ancientnoob, post: 2208717, member: 44140&quot;]On my numismatic journey around the ancient and medieval world, I have become interested in the obscure and poorly understood coinages and this one is no different.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><img src="http://images.nationalgeographic.com/wpf/media-live/graphic/map-sri-lanka-360x270-cb1434488779.gif" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /> </p><p>This coin once thought to be a votive offering to Lakshmi, these coins are often cast in lead and lead alloys, some pieces are struck in copper with dies, and several varieties of each are known to exist. Lakshmi plaque coins are quite rare and certainly have a small distribution.</p><p><br /></p><p>My intention was to obtain and example of the type, with complete devices on the obverse and reverse (if such an example exists, and I don&#039;t think it does.) Don&#039;t worry fakes of these coins are known to exist as well. Good examples with clear details on both side are extremely rare. I was not able to find good reliable examples to purchase in the usual places and I had to extend my numismatic network. I realized that if I wanted early coins of Sri Lanka, I would have to explore options in Sri Lanka. A renowned collector on another message board recommend this seller highly, and reassured me of his trustworthiness and knowledge. He was absolutely correct, a licensed legal dealer of Antiquities in Sri Lanka, not an easy thing to find. So some Western Union and sometime and I got exactly what I want for what boils down too not a lot of money.</p><p><br /></p><p>As I mentioned earlier these coins were once thought to be votive offerings. This view has since changed and have been declared a coin by scholars who have identified a relationship between different sized plaques of the same period and manufacture, suggestion a denomination system. The figure on the obverse is thought ot be Lakshmi although some schools of thought believe that the deity is in fact Mahamaya, Buddha&#039;s Mom. Solidified by the importance of the Isle of Lanka in Buddhism. (They got his tooth.)</p><p><br /></p><p>So I got this...</p><p><br /></p><p>Sri Lanka, Anuradhapura</p><p>Anonymous</p><p>AE 1/4 Normal Plaque (c. BC 29 - AD 297)</p><p>20mm x 9 mm x 1.22 grams</p><p>Obverse: Goddess Lakshmi facing, being showered by two mini-elephants atop of poles.&nbsp; - No legend.</p><p>Reverse: Clockwise revolving Swastika tree. Uncertain symbols. Snake(?) left, Bull right(?)</p><p>Note: Superb condition.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]431275[/ATTACH]</p><p><br /></p><p>So if you have read this much you must be at least mildly interested in the thread. (hang in there.)</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>While my intention was to get one example of the type. These two came together, they are of the same time and location. I could not resist twins. Come to find out the two are very similar but they are not twins.</p><p><br /></p><p>Sri Lanka, Anuradhapura</p><p>Anonymous</p><p>AE Normal Plaque (c. BC 29 - AD 297)</p><p>38 mm x 19 mm x 5.05 grams</p><p>Obverse: Goddess Lakshmi facing, being showered by two mini-elephants atop of poles.&nbsp; - No legend.</p><p>Reverse: Clockwise revolving Swastika tree. Uncertain symbols. Snake(?) left, Bull right(?)</p><p>Note: Extra Large for the type. Superb Condition.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]431276[/ATTACH]</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>They are both struck &quot;Normal&quot; Lakshmi coins but there was something very different about the two coins...one is massive and the other is tiny but I represent a full unit and the other a quarter unit.</p><p><br /></p><p>The coins are scarce, they are scarce in one piece they are rare on the market and rare together in high grade.</p><p><br /></p><p>Feast your eyes!</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]431280[/ATTACH][/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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