Lanka : 8-9th Century
Gold Type I Kahavanu - Srivatsa

SPECIFICATIONS Denomination One Kahavanu Metal Gold 0.75 Alloy Ag%Cu 0.92 Type Struck Diameter 22.7 mm Thickness 1.8 mm Weight Std. 4.54 gms Weight 4.40 gms DieAxis 0° Compartments 24
	Codrington Unlisted ; OMRS-19

Obverse : A Standing figure Kuvera showing, head somewhat circular to right, with Nose, mouth and eye shown; crown, a short line behind head, ; behind it two elongated dots; 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 crescent, right in five-leaved flower. The right arm is extended horizontal 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 srivatsa. To right symbol 1 (a) tilted to left; above this, a crescent and below, four annulet with dot in the center (Target). A beaded circle along the periphery of the coin.
Reverse : A figure Bahirava head right, crown, a curved line with dot attached to upper outer edge; behind a short line ending in a dot at bottom; squatting upon a asana (bed-like throne), represented by a rectangular frame divided lengthwise by a two lines and crosswise by three lines (Twenty Four Compartments); 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 Srivatsa Anusvara under arm. In field to right, Nagari legend in three lines.

1	2 3	4 5
Sri	Lanka	Vibhu

Vibhu is a title of Vishnu.
A beaded circle along the periphery of coin.

The Kahavanu was scanned at 600 dpi and displayed at 300 dpi. The coin is from the collection of Brig. Siri Munasinha, Author and collector in Colombo, Lanka who had obtained it over 35 years ago from a dealer in Chatham Street.