1197-1200, 1209-1210, 1211 - Lanka
Lilavati - Silver Nikkha

The very rare silver Nikkha of Queen Lilavati who ruled for 3 periods. She was the first mahesi (consort) of the Great ParakramaBahu (1153-1186).

SPECIFICATIONS
DenominationSilver Nikkha
AlloySilver
TypeStruck
Diameter20.5 mm
Thickness2.1 mm
Weight4.20 gms
ShapeRound
EdgePlain
DieAxis15O°
lilavati_ag_obverse lilavati_ag_reverse
Codrington #80Mitchiner #
Obverse : Traditional Lankan masaka design of standing king.
The head consists of an irregular oblong, the right side being a vertical line, from which projects three horizontal stokes representing the nose, mouth and chin. The crown bulging outwards at the back. The two curved lines on either side of the legs slightly turned upwards at the end indicate a person wearing a 'dhoti', and standing on a lotus stalk with flower to the right. The forearm is bent sharply down; the hand grasps the hanging lamp. The right side elbow is curved down with the arm turned upwards holds a flower presumed to be a jasmine blossom. To the right are five dots or spheres. A rim of 40 to 43 beads.
Reverse : Traditional Lankan masaka design of seated king.
Head and crown as on obverse. Arm is raised upwards and the hand holds a conch shell. On right Nagari legend Sri Ra ja Li la va ti
lilavati_legend

This is a very rare coin in base Silver Metal. See also her common copper masaka coin from the late Polonnaruwa era for historical information.

Text edited from
* Ceylon Coins and Currency: H. W. Codrington, Colombo, 1924.
   Chapter VI Mediaeval Lanka - Sinhala of 12th & 13th Century - Series I, Page 69

The coin was scanned at 600 dpi and displayed at 300 dpi was purchased in 2017 October from a dealer in Colombo Fort.