The hoard was uncleaned and by the stain of one coin on other, it was probably stored together is a pile.
The collection consists of a 1601 RoosSchelling, 9 Double stuiver coins from Zeeland(1614-1669), 7 Double stuiver coins from Overijssel(1615-1619), a Double stuiver from Holland with a french countermark, and a DS Double Tanga Asia minted in Goa for Ceylon.
Most of the coins are under-weight which may be accounted for by ware during circulation and the probable light shaving of the edge often seen in coins of this Era.
The larger number and much higher grade for the last year 1669 appear to indicate a hoard, which was saved soon after 1669.
The hoard is claimed to have been with a Lankan family for many generations. The dealer who obtained the collection for me, was informed by his contact that the grandfather who sold the collection had been given them by his own grandfather. That accounts for 5 generations of the 11 generations from 1670 to present. The family currently living in Kakirawa were originally from Ratnapura. It is unlikely I will find more information. It maybe a cover story for a hoard discovered in a Gem pit, where hoards like this are more often found.
The reason why it was disposed, for about a month or two of average working class income in Lanka, maybe the recent economic down turn, the lack of interest among the younger generations for old collectibles, or news reports in media which may have led many to believe it is illegal to have possession of old coins.
All of the coins have been reported in Codrington 's Coins and Currency of Ceylon as been found in the island, except the Holland Double Stuiver with lily counter mark. I have posted an interesting history of it sent to me by Jan Lingen.
The silver Double Stuiver coins were cleaned lightly with a 15% Solution of citric Acid to expose detail hidden below the light layer of corrosion. Removal of this corrosion left a copper colour stain because of the high fraction (over 40%) of copper in composition of coin.
Scans of all of the coins in hoard before any cleaning and after is posted as an array for comparison and justification for cleaning of the Double Stuivers.
The coins were scanned at 600dpi and displayed at 300dpi.
Text edited from
* Ceylon Coins and Currency By H. W. Codrington. Colombo 1924
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