Lanka : 8-9th Century
Gold Type I Kahavanu - Ira Sanda (Sun & Moon) - Naval
The anonymous gold Type I Kahavanu - Ira Sanda (Sun & Moon). from
8-9th Century Lanka. Codrington Kahavanu Type I A. This subtype has
Navel of Kuvera and Bahirava prominantly marked.
| SPECIFICATIONS |
| Denomination | One Kahavanu |
| Metal | Gold 0.73 |
| Alloy | Ag%Cu 0.90 |
| Type | Struck |
| Diameter | 22.6 mm |
| Thickness | 1.3 mm |
| Weight Std. | 4.54 gms |
| Weight | 4.42 gms |
| DieAxis | 90° |
| Compartments | 10 |
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| Codrington 46 ; OMRS-09
|
Obverse : A Standing figure Kuvera with the Naval
showing, 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 annulet with dot in the center (Target). A beaded circle
along the periphery of the coin.
Reverse : A figure Bahirava with the Naval showing,
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
rectangular frame divided lengthwise by a line and crosswise by four
lines (Ten 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 ball above cresent - Sun and Moon
(Ira Sanda). Anusvara under arm. In field to right,
Nagari legend in three lines.
Vibhu is a title of Vishnu.
A beaded circle along the periphery of coin.
The Kahavanu was scanned at 600dpi and displayed at 300dpi.
The coin ex Lalith Raddella's collection was purchased in 2015 from a Dealer in
Colombo Fort, Sri Lanka