The eldlings were manufactured by subdividing bars of metal or strips cut from a hammered silver, weight being adjusted where necessary by clipping the corners of each coin so formed. The obverse is usually covered with punch marks, often overlapping and clearly impressed at different times; the marks on the reverse, on the other hand, are usually fewer in number, in the great number of cases one only, are less distinct, and frequently smaller. These archaic coins were probably issued "by local authorities-money-changers or merchants" and were submitted by then for the approval of the local king or governor, whose stamp appears on the reverse. The punch marks on the other side, once blank, being those of the successive money-changers, through whose hand they passed in the course of circulation (Theobald, Notes on some Symbols; Rapson, Counter-marks). In Ceylon these marks are absent from the obverse of the majority of the later dumpy pieces. On none of the eldlings found locally have I been able to trace on the reverse any constantly recurring symbol which can be attributed to the Island, such as the railed svastika of the copper die-struck issues I am, therefore, inclined to the belief that all eldlings current in Ceylon were imported from India.

If the Arthasastra is to be credited, in Magadha in the time of Candragupta there were coined, at least in theory, in addition to the silver pana or eldlings, its half, quarter, and eighth, and in copper the, whole and half mashaka, corresponding with Manu's karshapana, and its quarter and eighth, the whole and half kakini (op cit., Bk. I,Chap.12 ). As Canakya, before his master's accession to the throne, is said to have amassed treasure by re-coining (Chap. II, sec. I) the introduction of a State mint, perhaps, may have been due to the policy of the founder of the Maurya Empire.

The standard of the silver eldling is the dharana of 32 gunjas; in the South it is said by Elliot to have been the kalanju seed, but in practice there was little or no difference, even if the two standards were not identical.

3. In Ceylon very few copper eldlings appear to be known other than the cores of silver coins, often with traces of the coating still adhering: The majority of the silver pieces are much worn, and really good specimens are rare. The coins fall into two main classes; (1) rectangular and (2) roughly circular or oval ; each of these again has a cross division into (a) thin and (b) thick. Though no clear line of separation exists, the thickness varying from that of thin cardboard to about 0.12 inch, the difference between the thin and wide coins, usually covered with punch marks, which are the earliest (Pl. 1 ; Cunningham, Coins of Ancient India, p. 43), and the thick and rather Dumpy pieces or ingots, very often blank with a few indentations (Pl. 2), is very marked. These latter are both, rectangular, and circular, and seems to have been made in these shapes; the oval thin eldlings appear to have been originally rectangular, and subsequently reduced to their present shape by the process of clipping referred to. The available specimen of the thin variety up to and including a thickness of 0.039 inch weigh from l4.9 (very worn) to 50.4 grains, the average of 36 being 30.5 grains; the seventeen thinnest, however, ranging from 14.9 to 45.l grains only give an average of 26.6. The highest weight for the available thick rectangular coins is 48.7 grains and the lowest 20.7, of which last the size is only 0.51 by. 0.43 inch; the average of twenty-one is 34.4 grains, as against Parker's average of 32.9 for thirteen (Ancient Ceylon, p.472). The thick circular pieces, of which eight average 33.8 grains, vary from 26 to 43.2 grains. The total average of twenty-nine thick coins of both varieties is 34.3 grains. Inferences drawn from these and similar figures to prove the duration of the use of the eldling currency are apt to be fallacious, for the lighter coins may be the fractional pieces of the Arthasrastra.

4. In process of time the punch marks, perhaps only in certain localities and trough the state monopoly of coinage, become fixed, though relative position slightly varied; rectangular eldlings of this kind are figured in Loventhal's work in Pl. I, Nos, 4, 5, and 6. The only ones reported from Ceylon bear on one side a. Three men or a man and two women standing in a row, b. A Peacock on a Chaitiya, and c. A balance or scales (cf. Theobald Fig. 9) , arranged thus :-

(i)	c b a	: Size : 0.62 x 0.43 x 0.078 in Weight ; 46.1 gr
(ii)	b c a	: Size : 0.61 x 0.47 x 0.118 in Weight ; 44.7gr (CA,I,iii, Pl.X ,nos 2,3 )

On the reverse of both is symbol (b), Pieces with these punch marks appear in I.M.C., I, p 138 Nos 37-40;No. 37 shown in Pl, XIX, 3, is the same as (i) and weights 52.3 grains.

5. The double-die thick plaque, having on the obverse a dagoba and on the reverse a bo-leaf, and weighing from 77 to 83 grains, with a size of 0.51 by 0.33 inch (Lowsley, Pl.VIII, 1) is probably a votive offering as is also the plaque shown in the Taprobanian of June, 1888, p 53. Both seems to be modern. With them may be compared crystal seal described by Mr. H. C. P. Bell in " Two Buddhist Seals " in the Ceylon Antiquary Vol. III Pt 1, PI, VII.

Silver - The only coins known are in the cabinet of Mr. Bell, described by the present writer in the Ceylon Antiquary; Vol. I, pt. 3, p. 178. One is a rectangular piece, 0.47 x 0.21 x 0.11 inch in size and 25.9 grains in weight. "The design", only half of which is on the flan, "seems to be a solar emblem, consisting of a central ball or boss from which springs a cross-wise, four lines ending in similar balls; in each space so formed in a Taurine (CA, Pl X no 3). The reverse is blank, but possibly has one indentation"- on the rest "the design consists of a bull, or such animal, in the lower half of the area, and a (?) fish, from whose back spring long rays upwards and , backward in upper half : both objects face to the right and have before them three symbols , which appear to be (a) a crescent at the top, (b) the sun, and at the bottom (c) a Taurine. The die is all clearly circular"¹. Of the four known, two have the reverse blank, one has a few indentations. and the remaining piece one , if not two, punch marks,

1.	Rectangular	Size : 0.39 x 0.37 x 0.07 in.	Weight : 24.4 gr	Pl. 3
2.	Do.	Size : 0.41 x 0.33 x 0.07 in.	Weight : 24.7 gr,
3.	Do.	Size : 0.43 x 0.31 x 0.07 in.	Weight : 25.4 gr.
4.	(?) Circular	Size : 0.47 x .07 in.	Weight : 20.6 gr	Pl. 4. (C.A.Pl.X, Nos.6-10)

A small silver coin in the same collection is clearly of the same series, but is double-die. The obverse is the same as the preceeding; the design on the reverse is, perhaps, similar to the solar emblem on the first described piece but it is much worm, The coin is very thin, and may once have been circular ; it is 0.33 inch in diameter 4.9 grains in weight. In all the above coins the design is deeply struck. The standard must be that of the eldlings, the coin being halves, with the exception of the small piece just described, which may be the eighth.

7. Copper. -- These are oblong pieces, with rounded corners, concave on one side and rough on the other The design is now quite invisible. Pl. 5

1.	Tirukketisvaram		Size : 0.62 x 0.51 x 0.15 in.	Weight : 74.9 gr
2.	Do.		Size : 0.53 x 0.39 x 0.13 in.	Weight : 26.6 gr.
3.	Anuradapura,	Buddhist Rail	Size : 0.61 X 0.45 x 0..09 in.	Weight : 24.2 gr.
4.	Do.		Size : 0.62 x 0.49 x 0.06 in.	Weight : 21.6 gr,
5.	Do.	Selacaitya	Size : 0.55 x 0.50 x 0.06 in.	Weight : 16.5 gr.

A similar coin, but roughly circular and lenticular, was found at the north end of Vessagiriya, Anuradapura its diameter is 0.53 inch, and weight 29.8 grains. Alleged similar pieces unearthed at Kantarodai in the Jaffna peninsular are described by Mr. P. E. Pieris in his paper on "Nagadipa",in J.R.A.S., C.8., Vol, XXVIII, No. 72 of 1919. Pl. XII, Nos. 18, 19,21,22,26, Most seem to be the cores of eldlings, but one (No, 18) is distinctly concave: its size is 0.62 by 0.43 inch, and its weight is 28.6 grains, At Tirukketisvaram was also found a flat rectangular piece with rounded corners. One side is apparently blank; on the other is what seems to be a fish with long projecting fins, with which design should be compared that of the silver coins described above. It weighs in its broken condition 29.2 grains, and measures 0.49 x 0.45 x 0.11 inch. From the same place come two circular coins, which may be noticed here. One is thick, flat on one side, the design on which is undecipherable, and convex and worn smooth on the other ; the second is, perhaps, blank on both sides. The diameter and weight are 0.57 and 0.33 inch, and 3l.2 and 6.2 grains, respectively.

The single-die coins found at Anuradhapura have been described by Mr. Still in J.R.A.S., C.B., Vol XIX No. 58, 1907, pp. 200, 201. The deductions as to their age therein set forth cannot be maintained ; as, though they were discovered at the same site as the fourth and fifth century Roman coins, there is no evidence that they were actually found together,

8. The symbols appearing on the following coins are-

(1)	An isosceles triangle, base uppermost, with a short horizontal line crossing the apex and a short vertical line pendent there from.
(2)	Variant of the last, but the triangle is on its side ; in some instances a small vertical line projects from its side, either above or below
(3)	Nandipada symbol ; a trident head. with the side prongs curved and longer than the central one, over a circle, from which it is sometimes separated by a horizontal line,
(4)	Horizontal line, from each end of which rises a curved line, the two being back to back and. Crosses in the middle by another horizontal line. There is usually a similar line above the *hole, In s few instances this is doubled, the middle line being absent.
(5)	A truncated cone, inverted and crossed at the top, centre, and bottom by three bands, cf: Nasik -Nos. 13, 14 (Archaeological Survey of Western India, Vol. IV).
(6)	Two isosceles triangles placed vertically apex to apex with a bar across the junction ; the lower triangle is the smaller. From the left side of the upper there projects a short horizontal line. In .a variant the symbol assumes the shape of an hour glass with a projecting line on either side of the centre, cf Kuda, No.26(op, cit.).

The "Cakram" consists of two lines forming an acute angle, the apex being uppermost; with are two crossed lines parallel to the sides of the angle which they join. All four lines end at the bottom of the symbol on the same level. This symbol but with the outer lines somewhat shorter than the inner is used by certain Tamils in the.Anuradhapura District as a brand-mark for cattle ; a variant with the outer lines continued beyond the apex in the form of a loop or of a pair of pincers occurs in the Northern Province and represents a makara. Mr. Still suggests that the Cakram is the same as the brand-mark ; he is almost certainly right. the symbol being a conventional fish, the well-known Pandyans badge.

Of the following, the first is single-die ; -

(1)	Obv :	Cakram, apex between taurine on r. and (?) same symbol on l, ; above tortoise r. in rectangular frame
	Rev :	Blank.
	Size :	0.41 x 0.31 in. Weight : 12.9 gr. Pieris, Nagadipa, Pl. XII,20
(2)	Obv :	In rectangular frame at bottom small elephant standing r., trunk pendent; with enclosed, flagstaff and flag to r. Above, symbol consisting of two segments of a circle, the larger one above, the smaller below, the chords facing each other and connected by five vertical lines ; this symbol resembles the Temple of Vesta. To its r., a square basket like object with semicircular handle above. Symbol to upper f. is broken away; that to lower l. indistinct. The flan on the right projects beyond the die.
	Rev :	Cakram
	Size :	1.02 x 0.98 in. Weight : 205.2 gr. Broken. Pieris,XIII,12.
(3)	Obv :	In double line rectangular frame elephant as last between on l. indistinct symbol and on r,an enclosed flagstaff with flag. Above, " Temple of Vesta " between caitya on l. and basket on r.
	Rev :	In similar frame,Cakram
	Size :	1.08 x 0.98 in Weight : 131.7 gr. Slightly broken on left. Pieris, XIII ,Pl 11. Good condition
(4)	Obv :	Elephant as last between symbol No 1 to l. and doubtful symbol to r. Above in high relief," Temple of Vesta " between two caityas.
	Rev :	In double line frame,Cakram
	Size :	0.70 x 0.84 in, Weight : 99.3 gr. Broken and worn
(5)	Obv :	Elephant as last ; before him, "Temple of Vesta." Above to l. similar temple and to r a three-branched tree in enclosure standing upon a caitya,
	Rev :	Cakram.
(6)	Obv :	In rectangular frame at bottom small elephant standing l., trunk pendent, between on l. symbol No l, and on r. an enclosed tree; above, in centre (?) basket, in high relief, between enclosed tree to l, and caitya to r. Flan at bottom projects beyond die.
	Rev :	In double line frame,Cakram
	Size :	0.88 x 0.78 in. Weight : 138.2 gr. Pieris, XIII,9. Good. Pl. 6.
(7)	Obv :	In double rectangular frame elephant standing l.
	Rev :	In line frame Cakram;
	Size :	0.47 x 0.45 in. Weight : 26.9 gr.
(8)	Obv :	Within line frame "Temple of Vesta," the centre of the upper segment of which is connected by a line with the frame. To lower left, perhaps, a small symbol ; to lower r symbol No 1.
	Rev:	In line frame Cakram.
	Size :	0.53 x 0.53 in. Weight : 29.7 gr. Pieris, XIII,7 Good.
	Size :	0.47 x 0.41 in. Weight : 20.1 gr. Slightly broken and worn.
(9)	Obv :	Tree in enclosure ; on l,small humped bull standing r and above, symbol 6. On r. doubtful symbol below, and caitya above.
	Rev :	Cakram.
	Size :	0.55 x 0.53 in. Weight : 27 gr. Slightly broken. Pieris 7, XIV, 10
	Size :	0.47 x 0.45 in. Weight : 16.4 gr. Slightly broken and worn.

All the above were found at Kantarodai. The obverse types of these Pandyan coins have a close resemblance to the Odumabara piece, figured by Cunningham in his "Coins of Ancient India", Pl. IV, Fig. 2.

I The normal type has -

Obv.

: Elephant walking to trunk extended tail ending in triple fork; occupying the whole of the base; above, arranged are four symbols : b c d a (a) Symbol No. 2. (b) Svastika, revolving to r., mounted on a staff and surrounded by a railing indicated by four vertical lines rising from a horizontal one. (c) A three-branched tree in enclosure, each branch ending in a triple fork. The enclosure is shown by a square divided into four compartments by a vertical and a horizontal line At each of the two upper corners is sometimes a dot or a taurine symbol. (d) Caitya three cells ; the two bottom ones are contiguous. The spaces are filled up with single dots or with groups of three dots, usually placed as follows :- (1) A group on either side of the head of the svastika ; (2) A group to left top of caitya ; (3) A group to left of tree enclosure ; (4) A group on either side of the elephant. The whole is within a double circle enclosing dots and lines. Pl. 7.

Rev.

: Four symbols arranged a c d b (a) Large svastika as on obverse. (b) Caitya as on obverse, but the two lower cells are divided by a space ; a horizontal line is beneath. (c) Symbol No. 6. (d) Nandipada symbol. The spaces are filled as on obverse, usually as follows :- (l) A group of dots on either side of the head of the svastika, (2) A group on either side of the caitya. The whole design is enclosed within a line circle

On many of the coins the die is partly off the flan, leaving a blank margin on one side. The thickness of the flan varies, as does also the size of the die ; a number of the coins thus have the design on the obverse compressed, resulting in a squat form of the svastika. These are marked in the following list with a star :-

	Diameter	Weight
	In.	Gr.
	1.35 x .098	301.6	Worn
	1.45	267.3	-
*	1.29	263.5	-
	1.33	257.7	-
	1.41	256.5	-
*	1.51	251.2	-
*	1.33	245.2	-
	1.37	244.8	-
	1.49	232.5	Worn
	1.37	232.0	Very worn
	1.41	230.4	-
*	1.22	228.4	Broken
	1.41	227	Worn
*	1.35	217.9	-
	1.41	210.7	Worn
	1.45	202.5	-
	1.35 x .059	199.6	Very worn
*	1.24	198.7	Worn
*	1.39	191.5	Worn
	1.27 x .039	150.0	Very worn
	1.22	l50.0	-
*	1.33 x .029	148.0	very worn

The following are from Kantarodai :--

Diameter	Weight
In.	Gr.
1.16	205.4	Worn
1.16	129.6	Worn; broken
0.96	102.9	Worn; broken

Variants.-
(a) As normal type, but on reverse symbol on left is No. l. Diameter, l.49 x 0.49 inches weight 247.8 Colo. Mus. 49

(b) Parker's "Anuradhapura coin" (Ancient Ceylon, p. 504). - Obv. is complete. Above the elephant is back is symbol a, slightly tilted upwards on the left ; close to it and over the elephant's back is the tree and enclosure. The caitya is in the usual position, but the svastika, which is squat, is placed over symbol a and the caitya. There are groups of three dots (1) to left of tree, (2) to left of head of svastika, and (3) to left of elephant; single dots. (l) to right of svastika railing, and (2) below the caitya. The reverse is worn Diameter mean: l.47 in. Weight : 233 gr.

(c) Parker's "Mihintale coin" (ib., p 505) As last.
Obv : Elephant's tail is not forked ; no dots to left of elephant ; two to right of caitya, and two to left of svastika rail.
Rev : Three dots to left of caitya. The variations may be due to wear. Diameter : 1.3l in, Weight: 264 gr.

(d) On reverse symbol to right is modified; over but not touching a circle without a dot in the centre the lateral prongs instead of being curved extend horizontally outwards an then turn upwards at right angles. On either side of the circle and beneath the angle of the prongs is a short line pointing downwards and outwards, In the caitya the lower cells are contiguous. Diameter : 1.41 in. weight 250.5 grs

11. II - As in normal type, but the side symbols c and dare counter-changed ; the Nandipada symbol has a small triangle projecting on the left side covering the junction of the circle left. Pl. 8.

Diameter	1.47 in.	Weight : 285.8 gr.
Diameter	1.33 in.	Weight : 255.3 gr.

Variant - As last, but with both symbols upside down. The Nandipada symbol sometimes has a triangular projection similar to that just described on either side. The projection on symbol c is to the right.

Colo. Mus. 48 ; fine die, corroded green. In good condition on Obv., but worn on rev, Taurines on tree enclosure. Diameter : l.35in. Weight 220.l gr. Pl. 9

	Diameter	Weight
	In.	Gr.
Parker's Tissa coin (ib , p. 503)	1.27 (mean)	220	-
	1.22	282.8	Worn
Others	1.39	263	-
	1.29	233.2	Very Worn
	1.37	209.7	worn

12. A similar but smaller coin was found near the Thuparama at.,Anuradhapura with plaques (J.R A S CB., XIX, No 58, 1907).

Obv. :

Elephant as on the large coins filling the lower half of the die; above it symbol a with projection beneath ; two dots to left of elephant's head and of symbol.

The right lower part of the coin is obliterated and broken ; but it is clear that that there was no tree or svastika; and so probably no caitya.
Rev. : Symbols a, b, c.

The die is of the flan, leaving a margin on the left. It is estimated that a little over one-sixth or even more is missing ; the full weight would, therefore, be about 19.3 grains.
Diameter : 0.57 in. Weight : 16.1 gr.

13. The three following are from Vallipuram, in the Jaffna peninsula :

(i)	Obv. : Elephant standing, 1., trunk pendent, in single line frame. Rev. : In similar frame railed svastika. revolving r. Pl. 10 Rectangular. Size : 0.53 x 0.43 in. Weight :24.7 gr. Broken. Pieris, XIV, 20. Size : 0.41 x 0.41 in. Weight : 15.8 gr.
(ii)	As last, but elephant to r. Rectangular. Size : 0.43 x 0.41 in. Weight : 12.1 gr. Broken.

In the large circular coins the size seems to bear no relation to the weight. The average of the be better preserved pieces is about 260 grains.

(1)	Four-branched tree :-
(1A)	Obv. :	Four-branched tree within enclosure of four compartments. on the upper corners of which apparently a dot surmounted by two small lines forming a right angle with the apex uppermost. To r., two symbols, No.1 above with group of three dots on r. side and below svastika. Symbols to l. off flan.
	Rev. :	Large railed svastika revolving r. between two indistinct symbols perhaps Nandipada to l .and No. 4 to r. To upper r. of last a group of three dots under svastika a (?) caitya.
	Diameter :	0.94in. Weight: 37.4 gr. Thin and worn, Found in river bed 4 feet from surface immediately below the Ruhunu Maha Kataragama Temple. The remainder, unless otherwise stated, are from Vallipuram.
(1B)(a)(i)	Obv. :	Within double-line circle within enclosure of four compartments tree with two branches at the top . The treetop and each branch ends in a group of three dots. Two branches also spring from the base of the tree at the enclosure, the l. hand with two dots at the end, the r. hand with one. To l. of enclosure symbol No.1; to r obliterated
	Rev :	Railed svastika revolving r.; a group of three dots to l of head To l, symbol No l, to r Nandipada with two dots above.
	Rectangular	with circular die. Size:0.53 x 0.57 in, weight :41.8 gr, Peries,XIV,1. from Kantarodai
(ii)	Obv. :	In line circle similar tree. Symbol No 1 to l., Nandipada to r,
	Rev :	As last, but no dots. Horizontal line over symbol No 1 : symbol to r off coin Caitya below rail.Rectangular with circular die ; Obv. die placed diamond-wise. Broken
	Size :	0.55 x 0.41 in Weight : 18.2gr Pieris XIV,2 Pl. 12
(iii)	Obv. :	In line circle similar tree as (i); but three dots at ends of lower branches. Symbol to l, obliterated ; Nandipada to r.
	Rev:	Railed svastika; symbol No 1 with two projections or r. side to r; Nandipada with horizontal line above to r.
	Rectangular	with circular die; Obv die placed diamond-wise. Rev.: worn.
	Size :	0.45 x 0.37 in Weight : 17gr Pieris, XIV, 3.
(b)(i)	Obv :	In double-line circle four-branched tree in enclosure of four compartments. To l, symbol No 1; symbol to r off coin.
	Rev:	Railed svastika above remnant of caitya; to l.Nandipada,to r remnant of symbol No 1.
	Diameter :	0.68 in. Weight : 52.8 gr, From Kantarodai.
(ii)	Obv. :	In line circle similar tree, but top and upper branches end in triple and the lower in quadruple fork; enclosure divided by three vertical lines. To l. (?) symbol No. 1, that to r obliterated.
	Rev.:	In similar circle railed svastika revolving r. betweenNandipada with square top on l, and or r. variety of symbol No 4 ; in it the two side lines meet, and from their junction a small vertical line springs. In lieu of the cross line in the middle is a short projection on the l and over the whole a horizontal line
	Diameter :	0.70 in. Weight 42.3 gr Slightly broken PerisXIV,12. Pl. 13
(iii)	Obv :	Similar tree branches ending in triple fork ; enclosure of twelve compartments. Symbols off coin
	Rev.:	Railed svastika revolving r. To r. symbol with horizontal line above, symbol to l off coin
	Diameter :	0.62 in. Weight, 26.8 gr
(iv)	Obv :	As last,
	Rev.:	As last ; to r symbol perhaps the same as on (ii), that to l obliterated.
	Diameter :	0.62 in. Weight 26.6 gr, Broken Pieris XIV, 18.
(v)	Obv:	Tree as last, but enclosure of four compartments; indistinct symbol to l symbol to r off coin. All in line circle.
	Rev :	Railed svastika revolving r, Indistinct symbol on 1.,symbol No 1 on r,
	Rectangular	Size : 0.47x0.45in Weight : 21.8gr. Pieris XIV, 4.
(vi)	Obv. :	Similar tree, enclosure not visible. To r symbol No 1 with short projection on l, Symbol to r. obliterated.
	Rev. :	Railed svastika revolving r.
	Diameter :	0.43 in Weight : 15.1 gr.
(2)	Six-branched tree :-
	Obv :	with in bead and line circle six branched tree, each branch ending in triple fork, in enclosure of twelve compartments; to l. (?} variant of symbol No4, to r. symbol obliterated,
	Rev. :	Railed svastika revolving To l. obliterated symbol, or.(?)pot.
	Diameter :	0.?8 in Weight : 62.2 gr. Slightly broken. Pieris, XIV, 13 Pl. 14.
(3)	Eight-branched tree :-
(i)	Obv :	In line circle eight-branched tree with in enclosure of four compartments.To r. symbol No1, off coin.
	Rev :	Railed svastika revolving r, symbol to l. obliterated ,symbol to r off coin.
	Diameter :	0.5? in Weight : 22.8 gr Pieris XIV, 6.
(ii)	Obv. :	Similar tree but in enclosure of six compartments; to l symbol No. 1, to r. indistinct symbol.
	Rev. :	In line circle railed svastika revolving 1; (?) variant of symbol No 6. with smaller triangle above on L Symbol to r. off flan.
	Diameter :	0.53 in. Weight: l9.8 gr Pieris, XIV, 5
(iii)	Obv. :	As (i), but each of the four compartments contains a dot. To l. Nandipada; symbol to r is off the flan.
	Rev. :	Railed svastika revolving r. with line beneath. To l symbol as last, to r. indistinct symbol of which the upper part consists of two horizontal lines,
	Diameter :	0.53 in Weight,16.3 gr. Pl. 15.

Nos. (i) and (iv) were found at the Buddhist Rail site at Anuradhapura, where also eldlings, Maneless Lion, ,, and two Roman " third brass " of Arcadius or Honorius were excavated ; there is no evidence that these were all found together. Nos. (ii) and (iii) come from the Kiribat Vehera in the same city. These square coins are commonly called �Kurumbar" in Ceylon, an attribution without foundation. A cast copper piece remarkably like our No. (i) is given in I.M.C., Vol. I p. 200, and is figured in Pl. XXII, 19 ; its diameter is 1.1 inch and weight 139.6 grains. It is unassigned, but classified as North Indian and "early" Cast rectangular coins with a bull on the obverse and a circular solar emblem on the reverse are assigned to Ayodhya and to a period between c, B.C. 150 and AD 100 ; they are, however, much smaller and of rough workmanship (I.M.C. I, PL XIX 13).

The thin coins, especially the three from Vallipuram, resemble in fabric the " Maneless Lion " pieces" which have four dots in a circle on the reverse. A similar thin coin was found at Kilakkarai in South India and in the collection of the Rev. J. E. Tracy of Tirumangalam ; its diameter was 0.66 inch.

Obv. : In line circle Maneless lion standing left or right.

Rev : In similar circle four dots disposed in a cross.

These coins are either rectangular or circular, though it is often difficult to be certain of the original form in individual cases, The resemble the rectangular "Bull Type" coins with the circle and dots on the reverse.

The finds are :

(l) Anuradhapura:-

(a) Buddhist Rail, near "Abhayagiri, i,e, Jetavanarama Dagoba.

(b) "Abhayagiri" Dagoba platform.

(c) Do. Pilimage No. l.

(d) Do. building No. 28

(e) Building east of sacred road opposite Ruvanveli Dagoba

(f) Near Elala Sohona

(g) Kiribat Vehera.

(2) Tirukketisvaram (Prinsep's Montollee, i.e., Mantota).

(3) Near 1lth milestone, Mannar-Madawachchiya road.

(4) Kantarodai.

(5) Kadugannawa (one).

These coins have been styled " Pallava " or "Kurumbar " but, while comparatively the commonest of the older coins at Anuradhapura, they seem to be almost unknown in India, the only specimens found on the continent appearing to be that figured by Elliot and one in the collection of the Rev. .J. E. Tracy. They may well be Sinhalese, the dynastic emblem being the lion; if so, they may be of the third century A.D. That they were in use in the reign of Mahasen (AD:. 277-304 ; G. 325-352), who built Jetavanarama, the so-called Abhayagiri Dagoba, is proved by the finds in the interior [Seven feet below pavement level, and under a slab inside the dagoba, was found a small copper coin with an animal (? s horse),like those figured by Elliot, Pl. II, 55, 58 (Ancient Ceylon, p. 310). This is almost certainly a "Maneless Lion " coin ] and on the platform of that structure, as well as at the pilimge. This king " built with in the boundaries of the Maha Vihara, in the garden called Joti, the Jetavana Vihara " (Geiger's Mhv., XXXVII{, 33) ;the finding of earlier coins at the Buddhist Rail site is thus explained, while the Kiribat Vehera, in which " Maneless Lion" coins as well as those of the rectangular "Bull" type were found, was also disturbed in ancient times. Our coins cannot be much later in date than Mahasen's reign, as the Roman " third brass " must have flooded the country not long afterwards; none have been found at Sigiriya or Polonnaruwa.

19. Of the foregoing coins the "Buddhist Cakram " and the "Maneless lion" have been attributed to the Pandyans and the Sinhalese respectively. Of the remainder, the great majority have the railed swastika on the reverse. I am unable to trace this symbol on any continental coins, except on the Odumabara piece shown in Pl, IV, Fig. 2, of "Coins of Ancient India" where, however, an enclosure takes the place of the rail. It is found in Ceylon, lying on its side, in a Dambulla cave inscription of " Devanapiya Maharajasa Gamini Tisa," i.e., Saddha-Tissa, brother, of Dutugemunu, who reigned B.C. 137-119 (G. 77-59); and also in its normal position in the Gallena Vihare inscriptions of Tisa, son of Gamani Abaya, and of Tisa, son of Devanapiya Maharajasa Gamini Abhaya, i.e., Valagam Bahu, BC. 104 and 88-76 (G. 43 and 28-16). In one case a horizontal line connects the tops of the two inner posts of the railing. Ail these coins, therefore, may be assigned provisionally to Ceylon; none are recorded to have been found in India, though pieces with the Tree type obverse, but with different reverse are said to have been found on both sides of the Vaigai and Tambraparni rivers in the Pandyan country.

The large circular " Elephant and Svastika" coins may be compared with the silver and copper pieces of the Kunindas (I.M.C., l, Pl. XX, 11, 12) of the second century BC., and, judging from general considerations of design may have been issued before the Christian era. The majority of the "Tree and Svastika" pieces have a more modern appearance, but may be presumed to be earlier than the " Maneless Lion " type ; the latest probably No. 2. The contemporaneous use of rectangular and circular coins is found as late as the fourth century under the Western Kshatrapas (C.C.A., p. 187).

20. The standard, on which the ancient copper coins were struck, is obscure. Comparatively, few coins are at the disposal of the student, and too much reliance cannot be placed on the weight of any particular piece owing to oxidization and the friable nature of the metal. The mode of manufacture probably was very primitive as is still the case in certain of the native States of India. It seems quite possible that, as with the Roman bronze to copper coins were struck at so many to the tula, and that, provided the required number was produced, little attention was paid to the exact weight of individual coins (cf the two Dharmmarajah coins in Chap. VII, sect, l4, No. 1). This undoubtedly was the case with the local Dutch issues, and, coupled with crude methods of work, would seem to explain satisfactorily the extreme variations of what was apparently intended for one and the same coin ; for example, the large " Elephant and Svastika " and Pandyan pieces. In the case of the latter, it is most unlikely that coins Nos. 2 and 3, almost identical in size, were current for different values; at the same time No 6 though smaller, is their intermediate in weight. All are in good condition. Assuming that all three were intended for pieces of the same denomination and restoring their full weights by computation of the portions missing to about 224.5, 139.5, and 125.5 grains, respectively, we obtain an average of about 172 grains, which must represent the karsha or kaisu, Its quarter, the half kalanju, is a common unit of the older coinage, and seems to have been continued into the early medieval period (Chap. VII, sects. 1,10,12,14) ; as a coin standard. Perhaps it may have its origin in the worn eldling as current in the South. If the above solution is correct, the large, � Elephant and Svastika" coins will be pieces of one Sinhalese huna or three kalanjus. The values work out thus :

	Gr.	Gr.	Gr.
Eight kalanju(dharana)	8.7	10.7	14
Quarter do .	17.4	21.5	28
Half do	34.8	43.0	56.1
One do	69.6	86.0	112.2
Pandyan kaisu (karsha)	139.3	172.0	224.4
Sinhalese Huna	208.8	258.0	336.6

the manjadi averaging 4.3 grains.

Cunningham's ratio of 50 to I for copper and pure silver (Num. Chron.1873, pp. 198,216) gives one mashaka of alloyed eldling silver as the equivalent of !44 grains of copper. The half dharana pieces, therefore may be kakanikas.

The chief "find" of cast plaques was unearthed in l9l7 at Alutwatta, in the town of Chilaw, at least 91 whole or damaged pieces, besides minor fragments, being discovered 2 �� feet below the surface of the soil in a chatty. Before this date the only one of the type known were a very few found near the Thuparama and in the Kiribat Vehera at Anuradhapura. Similar plaques have also since been found at Vallipuram and Kantarodai in the Jaffna peninsula,

The shape is usually oblong but in the broader specimens is distinctly oval. The metal is brittle and flakes easily and there is a tendency to split at the junction of the moulds, as if the obverse and reverse had been cast separately and then soldered together-:The analysis of a small plaque weighing 21.5 grains, made at the instance of Mr. P. E. Pieris, yielded the following result :-

	Per cent
Lead	59.93
Copper	14.84
Silica	0.62
Iron	0.14
Nickel	A trace
	75.53

The design on the obverse is in high relief, and represents the goddess Lakshmi clad in a broad girdle and wearing earrings, besides two bracelets on the upper arms and three to five on the forearms; on the legs below the knee are there to five rings, with wide anklets. She stands on large lotus, and with her hands, which are pendent, grasps two stalks of the same plant, usually springing from either side of the flower beneath her feet and ending about the level of the shoulders in a small blossom, up one each of which stands a small Elephant holding a water pot in his upturned trunk, the two trunks forming an arch over her head . Between the legs and the stalks are are minor lotus shoots variously depicted ; one sometimes ends in a bud. The whole is in an oblong frame, occasionally double at the top , slightly rounded at the corners, At a varying distance from this appears the edge of the enclosing space, which is sometimes barrel-shaped. For the figure of Lakshmi see J.R.A.S', 1914 p 402

On the reverse is a large railed swastika similar to that on the coins above described, revolving, except in one instance, to the right between two symbols. Beneath are three lines, the lowest of which is often curved upwards at either end, and sometimes reaches the extremities of the railing. No frame is visible. The symbols are

A. - Symbol No. 4, in one case with a double line over it ; in some it-has a rounded bottom In one specimen there is no line across the symbol, but two lines over the top. In other it resembles that of the Karle inscription No 3; in a few it approaches that of No, 25 at Kuda, though the connecting lines are disjointed; while in some it is the same as symbol �C� on the reverse of the Elephant and swastika ,coins in variant (a). The normal form is that of the Junnar inscription No 12 (Report on the Buddhist cave Temples Archeological Survey of Ancient India, Vol IV)

B. - The Nandipada symbol, which also has many variations. The circle is usually separated from the triple fork by a horizontal line ; in a few this is absent, when the symbol is much the same as that in the Junnar inscription No 8. In some the horizontal line seems to be merged in the fork. The symbols should be compared with those on either side of the swastika on the large circular coins.

2. I -Svastika revolving to the right

(a) Symbols A to left, B to right .So 55 of 91 : in 7 the Svastika on the reverse is placed in the opposite direction to the figure on obverse i.e. top to bottom (U). The sizes are the maxima.

Size	Weight
In. x In.	Gr.
1.37 x 0.76	129.1	Fair ; slightly broken Pl. 20
1.29 x 0.66	120	Good ; complete.
1.33 x 0.68	113.2	Worn
1.31 x 0.62	105.1	Obv., fair ; rev. Poor
1.18 x 0.53	94.5	Good
1.27 x 0.55	93.3	Worn ; edges worn.
1.29 x 0.59	89.7	Good ; slightly broken.
1.27 x 0.59	88.8	Fair ; rev. slightly flaked. Apparently chipped on one side
l.3l x 0.66	88.3	Obv., fair ; rev, worn ; slightly broken
1.24 x 0.62	87.3	Fair (U) ; edge broken
1.25 x 0.51	86.8	Fair
1.18 x 0.59	84.7	Obv., worn ; rev, fair ; slightly broken
1.31 x 0.53	84.5	Very good ; edges worn Pl. 21
1.20 x 0.61	83.5	Fair ; bottom broken just above feet
1.25 x 0.59	82.8	Poor.
1.31 x 0.72	81.3	Obv., very good ; rev., worn ; slightly broken (U)
1.24 x 0.59	80.8	Fair (U).
1.24 x 0.61	80.4	Obv., good ; rev., almost obliterated
1.22 x 0.74	67.2	Good ; edges broken

(b) B to left, A to right: 2U

Size	Weight
In. x In.	Gr.
1.29 x 0.61	119.5	Worn ; slightly broken
1.25 x 0.62	105.1	Obv,, good ; rev,, slightly worn ; somewhat barrel|-shaped
1.37 x 0.62	89.2	Worn ; flaked on Obv
1.35 x 0.57	88.8	Obv., worn ; rev., fair
1.25 x 0.62	86.4	Fair ; narrow at top (U )
1.12 x 0.64	83.5	Worn ; slightly broken
1.29 x 0.74	82.5	Obv., good ; rev., fair ; slightly broken and flaked
1.29 x 0.59	82	Obv., fair ; rev., worn ; edges somewhat worn
1.29 x 0.53	77.8	Fair.
l.20 x 0.55	76.8	Fair.
l.37 x 0.59	75.9	Worn; broken
1.25 x 0.61	74.8	Poor; narrow at top
1.31 x 0.62	74.4	Obv. poor ; rev., worn ; broken
1.27 x 0.59	74	Obv. fair ; rev., worn (U) ; symbol B upside down
1.27 x 0.57	72.8	Fair.
1.25 x 0.59	65.3	Very worn

(c) Position of Symbols doubtful ; all worn on reverse.

Size	Weight
In. x In.	Gr.
1.37 x 0.66	124.8	Obv., worn ; rev., obliterated.
1.25 x 0.59	l18	Obv., poor ; rev,, obliterated
1.33 x 0.59	117.6	Obv., poor ; rev., obliterated ; narrow at bottom
1.27 x 0.61	107	Worn.
1.29 x 0.61	l0l	Obv,, good-
1.31 x 0.62	90.7	Obv., worn (U)
l.3l x 0.64	84.9	Worn; barrel shaped
l.24 x 0.74	81.8	Worn ; rev., obliterated ; slightly broken
1.22 x 0.64	70	Obv., poor ; edges chipped

II -Svastika revolving to the left -

Symbols : B to left, A to right. Pl. 22.

Size	Weight
In. x In.	Gr.
1.27 x 0.55	74.4	Very good. Part of design off flan, and edges worn

3. As has been said, plaques of similar type have been found at Kantarodai ; the size, however, usually is small, and sometimes almost minute. On most the whole of the goddess appears, though part of the swastika is often off the flan. On two this symbol is placed lozenge-wise, while the standing figure is four square with the plaque. Below the swastika are usually four lines of varying length, two or more of which are often connected at the ends by short strokes. The lowest line is sometimes carried up at either end in a stroke. The original of this collection of lines, perhaps, may have been a caitya with a vertical line beneath, as on the reverse of the Elephant and Svastika coins.

Size	Weight
In. x In.	Gr.
0.55 x 0.23	10.3	Slightly broken
0.53 x 0.23	10.8
0.55 x 0.25	12.2	Svastika revolving to I : part of symbol 4-of C.C.A,, p, clxxv, to r
0.55 x 0.23	13.9	As last ; fine condition
0.55 x 0.27	14.4	Svastika to r; perfect
0.55 x 0.23	14.6	As last ; slightly broken
0.59 x 0.29	14.6	Slightly broken
0.59 x 0.25	18.7	Svastika to r; head of goddess off flan
0.72 x 0.19	18.7	(?) a part split off the side
0;57 x 0.27	18.9	-
0.55 x 0.25	19.4	-
0.59 x 0.31	20.4	Arch over head ; worn.
0.59 x 0.31	20.6	Svastika to right
0.66 x 0.17	20.6	Obv; good; broken
0.66 x 0.31	21.8	Svastika to r. ; fair
0.62 x 0.29	23.5	-
0.66 x 0.27	23.5	Very worn:
0.70 x 0.35	24.2	Broken and worn
0.66 x 0.39	26.1	Svastika to r.: worn
0.76 x 0.31	26.1	Svastika to r. ; slightly broken
0.57 x 0.29	26.4	Rev., worn
0.64 x 0.39	30.7	Svastika to r. symbol to its r
0.70 x 0.37	32.l	do
0.68 x 0.37	32.4	Svastika to r. ; very worn
0.70 x 0,37	34.3	Poor; rev., very worn >
0.74 x 0.37	34.4	Worn
0.76 x 0.39	41.0	Svastika to r; symbol to its r
0.74 x 0.59	50.1	Rev., die placed lozenge-wise ; goddess complete and placed normally ; worn
0.78 x 0.62	76.0	Design as on last; slightly broken

4. III- Of type I (b) is one of the three plaques unearthed near the Thuparama (A.S Cat. 38); it measures 1:29 by 0.57 inch, and weighs 7l.1 grains; it is barrel-shaped and broken in half. With it were two others, considerably damaged (A.S. Cat, 39), and the following (ib., 40). This measures 0.64 by 0.49 inch, and weighs 41.7 grains; it is thick and much worn, and may be cast. On the obverse is the standing figure with the feet missing; on the reverse is a dwarfed swastika, the part above the cross piece being either off the flan or broken away. The rail has six posts; beneath it are four lines, the upper two being joined at the sides. With the above was found the small circular coin described in section 12.

A somewhat similar plaque was found in the Kiribat Vehera (ib.,42)

Obv. : Standing figure as usual, but the place of each elephant appears to be taken by a group of dots. The figure is in high relief and fairly preserved.

Rev. : Svastika revolving to left ; the railing apparently has six posts, but is much worn. To the right under the arm there seems to be a group of three dots, The symbols cannot be determined.

Size : 0.86 by 0.41 in. Weight : 23.4 gr. Cast : a portion of the obverse has flaked off

It was apparently this plaque that was found in company with three so-called " Pallava" coins at a depth of 28 feet from the surface (Still, J.R.A.S., CB8., Vol. XIX, No. 58, p.213).

The two plaques described in this section seem to be intermediate between those of the Chilaw type and the following

1: For coins with circular die and rectangular flan, cf: C.C.A., Pl. X. 265 and 266 of Jayadaman, A.D, 124-150, and Pl V, GP5 of the Andhra dynasty.