RajaRaja Chola : 985 - 1014

Chola Occupation Copper massa

Copper massa of Lanka type from the period of Chola occupation of Lanka by RajaRaja Chola (985-1014) of Thanjavur in TamilNadu.

SPECIFICATIONS Denomination One massa Alloy Copper Type Struck Diameter 20. mm Thickness  mm Weight 4.3 gms Shape Round Edge Plain DieAxis O°
	Rajaraja Chola	Mitchiner #734
SPECIFICATIONS Denomination One massa Alloy Copper Type Struck Diameter 19. mm Thickness  mm Weight 4.0 gms Shape Round Edge Plain DieAxis O°
	Rajaraja Chola	Mitchiner #736

The design is that of the traditional Lanka type massa.
Obverse : Standing king with torch on left and group of spheres on right, surmounted by crescent. Reverse : Seated king on left facing right with legend beneath his raised arm. Sri Raja raja in Devanagari script

Rajaraja Chola (985-1014) invaded Lanka in 990 AD and conquered the northern half. Ruining Anuradhapura he made Polonnaruwa his capital on the island;. Rajendra (1014-1044) Chola succeeded in extended Chola occupation over the whole island of Lanka in 1018. Lanka became regained independence from Chola occupation in 1070 under Vijaya-bahu (1055-1110).

The massa coin was scanned at 300dpi and displayed at 300dpi.

Text edited from
* Coins of the Cholas: C. H. Biddulph, NSI #13, 1966.
* Oriental Coins: Michael Mitchiner, London, Hawkins Publications, 1978.