Mon -Large Predatory Bottom Feeder - AR Full Unit

I scratched another Ancient Kingdom off the list!

I had originally spotted this on the Agora auction about a month ago and didn't give it much thought and absent mindedly passed over it. The my coin comrade @Collect89 says "Hey check this out". He knows when we get together its always "some coin you have never seen before, from a place you never heard of a history totally alien. He said, he knew it was from Burma and chunky" It again peaked my interest.

To make a long story short the coin went unsold in that Agora auction and I was able to call Agora up and acquire the coin as it was still available. I very happily paid the buyer's fee and the price of an opening bid. Wew. I'm getting sloppy.

The coin was originally attributed to the Kingdom of Hamsvati, 5th century AD and I can virtually no information on this culture and have not come across the name before.

According to Robert S. Wicks (1992) The "Conch" coins originate in high art and high purity silver coins with a tight minting weight of 9.4-10.1 grams with the majority (29) of the cataloged coins (36) from a hoard in Pegu. (Bago, Myanmar). All coins appeared slightly scyphate. Metallurgical analysis of the hoard yield near pure silver, 99.7% with only 0.27% copper.

The coin's obverse has an excellent representation of the Conch, or Shankha the shell of a gastropod native to the Indian ocean and best described as a large predatory Sea Snail.The shell has been an important part of Buddhist and Hindu culture for as long as they have existed. It is often used as trumpet in both in ritual and in war. The trumpet is often played at festivals dedicated to Lakshmi the consort of Vishnu.
The Conch's sound was thought to ward off evil spirits and blowing it daily was considered healthy for the respiratory system. In Hinduism the Conch is a symbol of Vishnu and of wealth, success and good fortune.

The distribution of the these early coins types is quite extensive and found along the coastlines of Bengal, Lower Burma, Thailand and a single specimen was reported found in a precious metal hoard in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam) The majority of examples have been recovered in small hoards in Pegu, and are almost never found inland. The "Conch" coin became the prototype model for all coinage of the region in the first millennium AD. All of this suggests the Mon where an advanced seafaring trade culture existing south of the Pyu Realm in Burma and later expanding and founding city states throughout southeast Asia.

It is recorded that when the Pyu were overrun by the Burmese and the Kingdom of Pagan (didn't use coins) employed Pyu and Mon craftsman on civil service projects and architectural feats. The Mon endure to this day. (Google them)


Asia,
Burma, Pegu
Mon Culture
5th century AD
AR Full Unit 27 mm x 9.58 grams
Obverse: Conch - Beaded Border
Reverse: SriVatsa Temple - two Pellets below
Ref: Wicks Class A
Note: Rare, early specimen. Possibly probed for purity in antiquity.

 

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Fascinating!

 

There ain't much information about those ancient Burma coins unless you purchase some books. I have ran into a site with a handful of ancient to medieval coins. None like the OP coin though.

 

That is a stunning coin Noob, congrats.

 

Oooh, I really like that one! Probably because it has something recognizable on the obverse.

 

Very cool conch-addition!!

... hmmm, I don't think I have a conch to post?




Yup, I like it (a lot)

 

I am glad, I was trying to remember if you had any large predatory sea snails in your aquarium.

 

Please pardon my pendantry pedantry*, but conchs (family Strombidae) are herbivores and detritivores.

I'd gladly take this coin anyway. Now if I could only find a winged conch...

*Thanks, @dougsmit, for pointing out my typo! Serves me right for trying to look smart .

 

Beautiful coin A-noob, and a fascinating narrative to go along with it...CONGRATS!!!!

 

Hmmm, 'pendantry'.... I suspect that has nothing to do with pantries and so now I have to find my dictionary

Help me out here Steve!!!

 

I know you love completeness and correctness. Your opinion was what I had always thought as well, so with that I share this...

"Shankha (Sanskrit: शंखŚaṇkha, pronounced [ˈɕəŋkʰə]) is a conchshell which is of ritual and religious importance in bothHinduism and Buddhism. The shankha is the shell of a species of large predatory sea snail, Turbinella pyrum, which lives in the Indian Ocean."


"Sea snails are marine gastropods with shells. Those marine gastropods with no shells, or only internal shells, are variously known by other common names, including sea slug, sea hare, nudibranch, etc. The diversity within sea snails is enormous. Many very different clades of gastropods are either dominated by, or consist exclusively of, sea snails. Because of this great variability, generalization about the feeding, reproduction, habitat, or other traits of sea snails is not possible. Instead, individual clades, families, genera, or species must be assessed."

 

Let's pile on with our Mollusca!


CALABRIA, Tarentum
325-280 BCE
AR litra, 11 mm, 0.56 gm
Obv: cockle shell
Rev: dolphin right, trident below (I think it might be a bunch of grapes)
Ref: Vlasto 1530 (if grapes rather than trident, Vlasto 1527)
from Heritage Auctions 13 Nov. 2014
formerly slabbed, NGC Choice VF 5/5-3/5; cert# 3601372-003

"Cockle" shell, hmm. I think that's wrong. Clearly it's a scallop, class Bivalvia, order Veneroida, suborder Pectinoida, superfamily Pectinoidea, family Pectinidae, genus Pecten.


For comparison, here is a cockle. Note the lack of rectagular flanges at the hinge side:


Non-coin tangent: I love Nudibranchs (sea slugs). They are so colorful and bizarre!
Any other Nudi fans here? (how's that for inappropriate comment bait ) Alas, I don't think there are any on ancient coins.


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

 

Impressive conch coin, noob. My mussel shell looks like it spent some time in the digestive tract of a large predatory bottom feeder, before ending up in the hands of an ancient coin bottom feeder...


AEOLIS, Grynion
Circa 3rd century BC
AE12
1.73g, 12.1mm
SNG Cop 205; BMC 1; SNG von Aulock 1619
O: Three-quarter facing head of Apollo, turned slightly left, wearing laurel wreath.
R: ΓΥΡ, mussel shell.

 

Wow, awesome coin ANoob. Good story/history background on it to.

 

I work very close with the Shell it has brought me good fortune and steady employment for nearly a decade. I believe in its power. I cannot tell you how many times I have said to someone, its not a clam! ....its a Scallop...

 

Very cool AN!

 

AR Full unit
30.0 mm x 10.57 grams
BURMA, Pyu City-States. Kingdom of Halin.
Circa 6th century AD. AR Unit -- 96 Rattis
Obverse: Damaru (ritual hand drum of ASiva); five lanterns above; all within beaded border
Reverse: Stupa (world-temple) containing the Sankh shell (symbol of Vishnu),Three Ornaments below .
Ref:HS-W21b Mahlo #47-var "Middle-period Pyu coins (Upper and Central Burma)

 

35 mm x 9.53 grams Silver
BURMA, Pyu City-States. Kingdom of Sri Ksetra. Circa 610-835. AR Unit – 96 Rattis Third (Final) coinage. Struck circa 800-832. Damaru (ritual hand drum of Śiva); five triangular and globular ornaments above, nine wedge-shaped ornaments; all within beaded border / Stūpa (world-temple) containing the tree-of-life; vajra(thunderbolt symbol of Indra) to left, sankh shell (symbol of Viṣṇu) to right, the heavens (lunar and solar symbols) above, primordial ocean below. ATEC 5749-50; HCSEA 464-5; M&P 61-5; R&S 3.5.

 

This one looks more like a cockle.


SICILY, Messana. 420-413 BCE
AR litra. 13 mm, 0.6 gm
Obv: hare springing right; shell below
Rev: MEΣ within wreath
Ref: Caltabiano 569; SNG ANS 349

Actively looking to upgrade this one.

 

PHOENICIA, Byblos. Uzibaal. 350-335 BCE
AR dishekel, 26 mm, 13.3 gm
Obv: Three hoplites with shields in war galley left, roaring lion's head on prow, waves below galley; hippocamp left below; murex shell beneath; Z O (N O?) in field
Rev: Phoenician inscription*; lion attacking bull left
Ref: SNG Copenhagen 132, BMC 26.95, 4.