Lot 2846

Description

Ceylon, (Sri Lanka), issues from India, Mauryan Empire, (321-187 B.C.), punched marked silver coins (16), mostly rectangular, one round of various types (cf.M.4153-4257, De Silva pp.24-31); together with a maneless lion type, rectangular copper coin, (c.late 3rd century A.D,), obv. lion left, rev. four dots in circle, (De Silva p.35). Fine - very fine. (17)

The silver pieces although similar to those struck in India were found it is believed in Ceylon (Sri Lanka). The coins are called Kahapana and De Silva believes they were all imported from India. The maneless lion type found at Anuradhapura and as a symbol has be taken to represent the dynastic emblem of the Sinhalese.