Lanka : 980 - 1070
Gold Type 1A Kahavanu - Sun and Moon
The anonymous gold Kahavanu Sun and Moon. Codrington Tpe IA from 11th
Century Lanka. The crown on the reverse resembles the helmet of the
"seated horseman" at Isurumuniya, Anuradhapura.
| SPECIFICATIONS |
| Denomination | One Kahavanu |
| Alloy | Gold |
| Type | Struck |
| Diameter | 19.2 mm |
| Thickness | 2.8 mm |
| Weight Std. | 4.54 gms |
| Weight | 5.0 gms |
| Shape | Round |
| Edge | Plain |
| DieAxis | O° |
|
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| Codrington 45 ;Mitchiner unlisted
|
Obverse : A Standing figure, head somewhat circular to right, with
Nose, mouth and eye shown; crown, a semicircular line behind head with
slight bifurcation at top, and a small horizontal line below; behind
it similer but shorter line ending in a dot ; in rear a dot. The left
arm is bent in to breast ; elbow outwards ; nothing in hand. In a
dhoti (garment), indicated by the curved line on either side
of, and two lines between the legs, and standing on a lotus plant
stalk consists of dots, ending left in chank, right in five-leaved
flower. The right arm is extended with hand over symbol 1 (a)
consisting of a straight shaft with short cross pieces, ending in four
prongs, which are narrow and curve downward. The elbow is over a
similer symbol (2) but with plain shank and upside down. To right
symbol 1 (a) tilted to left; above this, a crescent and below, four
annulets with dot in the center of each. A beaded circle along the
periphery of the coin.
Reverse : A figure, head right, crown, a curved line with dot
attached to upper outer edge; behind a short line ending in a dot at
bottom; in rear a dot; squatting upon a asana (bed-like throne),
represented by a oblong frame divided lengthwise by a line and
crosswise by five lines; in dhoti has two long lines between legs,
the two ends at the waist appearing at
either side of the body. The right arm is pendent over the right knee,
which is drawn up; the left arm is bent, and holds an a small cresent
with dot above (sun and moon)
In field to right, Devanagari legend in three lines.
Vibhu is a title of Vishnu.
Anusvara under arm. A beaded circle along the periphery of coin.
Compare with Type 1A (1) or (2) - Plates 45 or 46 of Codrington
The Kahavanu was scanned at 300dpi and displayed at 300dpi.
It was in July 1993 from Spink & Sons Ltd, at a coin show in Baltimore, and
motivated me to resume this collection after 25-years.
Text edited from
* Ceylon Coins and Currency By H. W. Codrington. Colombo 1924
Page 55 Chapter V Mediaeval Ceylon - Kahavanu