The Colas c36.s1: Plate XXXVII—Coins

The Cōḷas c36.s1

Language: English

Plate XXXVII—Coins

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Fig. 1. Circular disc of sheet of pure gold. Diameter about 3·3 cms.; thickness about ·29 mm. Weight about 4·35 grammes or 67·2 grains.

Obverse: Seven punches along the periphery with Tamil legend in Tamil and Grantha characters of 11th century A.D. The legend in six punches reads: *Kan gai ko ṇḍa co ḷan*. Seventh punch shows 4000 over 32 in Tamil characters. The latter number stands for the regnal year. The large central punch shows the Cōḷa emblem: Tiger with gaping mouth and with a parasol above its head seated on its haunches with tail lifted up, facing a pair of fish (Pāṇḍyan emblem) to proper right. Lamp stands flank them. Tamil letter *Ca* above fish.

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Reverse: Convex and blank.

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Fig. 2. Same as above but with the significant difference in that the syllable *Rāja* occurs above the pair of fish instead of a single letter as in above.

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Fig. 3. Coin shape and measurements etc. similar to above but with a difference in legend and workmanship.

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Obverse: Eight punches are seen here. Seven of them have Tamil and Grantha letters with the Tamil legend: *Ma la nāḍu ko ṇḍa cō ḷan*. Eighth punch has 4000 over 34 the latter standing for the regnal year. The central punch shows the tiger seated on its haunches with the tail lifted up,

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facing a pair of fish to proper right. A lamp stand is on either side. Above tiger is an umbrella, the sovereign's symbol. Above fish is a letter probably *I*.

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Reverse: Blank.

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Fig. 4. Similar to above. Here the regnal year is 35 and the letter above fish in the central device is probably *Ca*. The central design is not clear.

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Fig. 5. Similar to above in shape and measurements. This and the following are coins of the Eastern Cāḷukya dynasty.

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Obverse: Six punches with the legend in five of them in old Telugu characters viz. *Śrī Rā ja Rā ja*. The sixth one has *Sa* 33, i.e. *Saṁvat* 33 the number standing for the regnal year. The central device has a boar standing facing proper left and *aṅkuśa* above it which were the Eastern Cāḷukya emblem. An umbrella is seen above.

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Fig. 6. Similar to above. Here only four punches are seen along the periphery. The legend is *Śrī Rā ja Sa.* 33 (*Saṁvat* 33). The central device is the same as in the above example but here it is clearer. This coin is one of the four from the hoard with this legend.