Khmer Empire (Ayutthia and Angkor) 802-1431AD 6 Unit Lotus Token
Offered is an exotic tin-lead 6 Unit (32g, 36mm) Lotus Token, cast during the period following the fall of the Pyu city states. Mitchiner, in his work Oriental Coins and Their Values (1979) argues that these tokens were quickly produced to fill the void left by silver in the local economy following the collapse of maritime trade in the region in the early 9th century. They evidently persisted in both production and circulation for some considerable time, as 17th century European accounts make reference to these interesting pieces.
This example is of the desirable ‘scalloped edge’ type, and interestingly, does not have a centre hole (unlike the majority of this type). Pieces without centre holes are generally known, but represent an estimated 20-40% of extant examples (depending on type). The devolved devices point to this being a later piece, but the weight and diameter, being consistent with other examples, would suggest that it is of genuine issue. In all, a fascinating monetary instrument.
Offered is an exotic tin-lead 6 Unit (32g, 36mm) Lotus Token, cast during the period following the fall of the Pyu city states. Mitchiner, in his work Oriental Coins and Their Values (1979) argues that these tokens were quickly produced to fill the void left by silver in the local economy following the collapse of maritime trade in the region in the early 9th century. They evidently persisted in both production and circulation for some considerable time, as 17th century European accounts make reference to these interesting pieces.
This example is of the desirable ‘scalloped edge’ type, and interestingly, does not have a centre hole (unlike the majority of this type). Pieces without centre holes are generally known, but represent an estimated 20-40% of extant examples (depending on type). The devolved devices point to this being a later piece, but the weight and diameter, being consistent with other examples, would suggest that it is of genuine issue. In all, a fascinating monetary instrument.
Offered is an exotic tin-lead 6 Unit (32g, 36mm) Lotus Token, cast during the period following the fall of the Pyu city states. Mitchiner, in his work Oriental Coins and Their Values (1979) argues that these tokens were quickly produced to fill the void left by silver in the local economy following the collapse of maritime trade in the region in the early 9th century. They evidently persisted in both production and circulation for some considerable time, as 17th century European accounts make reference to these interesting pieces.
This example is of the desirable ‘scalloped edge’ type, and interestingly, does not have a centre hole (unlike the majority of this type). Pieces without centre holes are generally known, but represent an estimated 20-40% of extant examples (depending on type). The devolved devices point to this being a later piece, but the weight and diameter, being consistent with other examples, would suggest that it is of genuine issue. In all, a fascinating monetary instrument.