CHAPTER III


BUDDHIST CAKRAM TYPE
9. "In the place of a number of symbols punched on to the coin from time to time there appears at a later period a definite type, made up of a collection of these symbols struck from a die. This is usually the case in those parts of India, which were least affected by foreign influence" (Rapson, Indian Coins, p. l1). Of this description are the following rectangular coins, which, distinguished by Loventhal's so-called "Buddhist Cakram", form one series, and are assigned to the early Pandyans. Somewhat similar coins are described by this author in his "Coins of Tinnevelly."

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: l2.9 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,l2.
(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 : l38.2 gr. Pieris, XIII,9. Good. CCC-Pl.6.
(7) Obv : In double rectangular frame elephant standing l.
Rev : In line frame Cakram;
Size : 0.47 x0.45 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 l.
Rev: In line frame Cakram.
Size : 0.53 x 0.53in. Weight : 29.7 gr. Pieris, XIII,7 Good.
Size : 0.47 x 0.41in. 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.