Lot 5746

Description

Portuguese India, as used in Ceylon (Sri Lanka), circulated under Portuguese rule, silver two tanga c.1633, but not dated, (6.31 g), obv. crowned arms, A M either side, rev. A over T, D M either side of T, (SS.F3.13, Gomes 19). Toned, nearly very fine and rare, known from only a few examples.

Ex Tan, Penang, March 2002.
Probably struck at the Malacca mint during the reign of King Dom Felipe III of Portugal, only the silver four denominations were struck, the half tanga, the tanga, the double tanga and the quadruple tanga. This double tanga was struck between the years 1633-1636 at the Malacca Mint and was specially designed and issued for Malacca. All denominations of silver Tangas and multiples of Malacca have the mintmark of "A M" or "M A" and as such link to the Malacca Mint. Obviously some of this issue moved to Ceylon.