Lot 4781

Description

Siam-Cambodia, Kingdom of Dvaravati, Period of Funanese domination and later, (c.A.D. 550-1050), a superb collection of twenty (20) pieces of thick lead/tin ingot coinage of serrated broken ring type (12 pieces) of weights (39.69, 59.65, 80.85, 81.36, 82.88, 89.24, 96.84, 105 (2), 125, 130, 135 g); together with dumbell rings collection of eight (8) pieces of weights (7.01, 12.31, 17.58, 26.57, 52.37, 95.32, 230, 355 g); all items of varying shape but conforming to the general style, (Mitchiner ACW Nos. 5320, 5321-5329). Mostly very fine and rare. (28)

Mitchiner notes that opinions vary of any role that these items were currency, however they are found at classical Thai sites of the Dvaravati period. They appear to have no defined weight standard and he notes that 'these pieces .... appear to assume a niche in the overall conspectus of Siamese currency systems'.