Lanka : 11th Century
Gold Type III Kahavanu - Pious Fraud
These gold Plated copper Type III Kahavanu are known as Pious Frauds.
Coins discovered in Temple Vaults, are sometimes gold plated copper
coins, and reflects fraud of Jeweller who does not expect the
deposited coins to be seen again in his lifetime. They are typically
under weight. Being a millinium old contemporary forgeries, they are
of significant collector interest.
| SPECIFICATIONS |
| Denomination | One Kahavanu |
| Plate Metal | Gold 0.80 |
| Plate Alloy | Ag%Cu 0.70 |
| Type | Cast |
| Diameter | 19.3 mm |
| Thickness | 2.1 mm |
| Weight Std. | 4.53 gms |
| Weight | 2.99 gms |
| DieAxis | -30° |
| Compartments | 6 |
|
| 
|
| Codrington 53;
|
| Denomination | One Kahavanu |
| Core Metal | Gold 0.05 |
| Core Alloy | Ag%Cu 0.02 |
| Type | Cast |
| Diameter | 19.3 mm |
| Thickness | 2.3 mm |
| Weight Std. | 4.53 gms |
| Weight | 3.36 gms |
| DieAxis | 60° |
| Compartments | 6 |
|
| 
|
| Codrington 53;
|
Obverse : Standing figure Kuvera with head to right. Crown
thick straight line with triangle in rear. In a Dhoti
(garment) indicated by two curved lines on either side and one line in
between longer than legs, standing on a lotus plant stalk with small
circle in centre ending on left in a chank and on right
in Jasmin flower as in hand. In left hand is an
open Jasmine flower (pichcha mala) viewed from side.
The right arm is extended with hand over a symbol (1b) consisting of a
straight shaft with short cross pieces, ending in four prongs, which
are thick. The head of the symbol is somewhat like the calices of two
half-opened flowers, one being placed above the other. To right five
annulet with dot in center (Target). A beaded circle along the
periphery of the coin.
Reverse :A figure Bahirava, head right crown as on obverse
Squatting upon asana, (a bed-like throne) represented by a
short rectangular frame, divided lengthwise by a line and two cross
lines (6 compartments). dhoti represented by bent line
and small line in angle between the legs. The right arm is pendent
over the right knee, which is drawn up; In left hand a chank. In field
to right, Nagari legend in three lines :
| 1 | 2 3 | 4 5 | The anusvara over La.
|
| Sri | Lanka | Vibhu
Vibhu is a title of Vishnu.
|
A beaded circle along the periphery of coin.
The surface composition measured by X-Ray Florecence (XRF), samples
only the surface of the coin to a depth of under 0.01mm (10μm).
In the case of coin-1 XRF measured the mostly intact gold plate.
The surface composition is not reflected by the Specific Gravity estimatd
to be SG7.5 is indicative of a copper core.
In the case of coin-2 XRF measured the mostly the core as gold plate has
almost rubbed off.
The surface composition is now reflected by the Specific Gravity estimatd
to be SG9.1 of the copper core.
The Pious Fraud Kahavanu were scanned at 600dpi and displayed at 300dpi.
Coin-1 was obtained from Mr Ratnayaka, a collector in Katharagama, Lanka.
Coin-2 was obtained from a dealer from Embilipitiya. Lanka.