I was digging around in my safe earlier and I pulled out this little guy. I had completely forgot about it don't really recall buying it, so it must've been one of those impulse buy things. Anyway it was wrapped in some cling wrap stuffed in a little envelope. Since I recently picked up a little microscope attachment to help in my sorry picture taking, I'm still learning. This little tiny guy I'm sure is a low quality by any standard. I know it's gold I checked. I know virtually nothing about it other than what was on the accompanying paper. Vijayanagar Empire India 1336-1646 My wife says she sees an animal in there (?). What I do know about India coins from that time the have mostly letters & symbols, as I said I don't know much not my area geographic or interest. Curious to know what anyone can tell me & opinions.
I am afraid that the only possible thing i can say is that this likely is a Fanam from Southern India. It looks quite lumpy (exact dimensions ?) which points to a relatively early origin. With the lack of any recognizable surface design further attribution is impossible for me.
Here is one of my coins from there... AV 1/2 Pagoda 1.71g. 13mm. Harihari II 1377-1404 obv. Shiva and Prvati Seated rev. Script
Like I said in the OP it's tiny, to small to measure my guess would be 1 to 2 mm in circumference about 1gr to 2 grains. All I see in it it a "t" on one side. Yes Panzer man yours is what I'm familiar with also. I've googled the Empire some bit of a history lesson there but not much on the coin.
I think that there are many "unpublished" coins from there. Hopefully someone will publish a book on Indian Medieval AV coins circa 600AD to 1600AD. Mainly concentrating on Hindu/ non-Islamic coins. We also need a 2 volume work on Islamic States, esp. Mughals with all AV coins esp. 1000 Mohurs and such in full size/colour plates.... John
There actually is a comprehensive catalog on the AV fanams 1336-2000AD, written by Hans Herrli. Won't help to attribute the OP coin though. The bigger ones are much easier to pinpoint. (Gupta dynasty, Chandragupta 380-414AD): (@panzerman: The picture of the text side of your coin is upside-down.)
I was doubtful but hopeful that when I put it under the microscope for a few shots that I would see some kind of image. With it being so tiny, the skill to put an image that would last centuries would've been a neat find. I can't locate any receipt paper or digital that I bought this coin, so surely I don't have more than a few dollars invested. Would love to know more about it so I can attribute it & put it away for the next time I clean my safe.
Cool coin, Smojo! My brother has two of those. They're 1/4 fanams or 'beles' I think. They're so tiny! I think it's the world's smallest gold coin. I'd like to get one myself. Erin
Thanks for the link. If I find where I got it from I will post the info. Has to be at least 2 years ago, that's when I really got back into the collecting hobby & my collection started to really expand enough to buy a safe. Now I either need a bigger or at least another safe.
