Lanka : 11th Century
Gold Type III Kahavanu - Jasmine & Chank

SPECIFICATIONS Denomination One Kahavanu Metal Gold 0.44 Alloy Ag%Cu = 0.73 Type Struck Diameter 20.5 mm Thickness 2.1 mm Weight Std. 4.53 gms Weight 4.28 gms Die-Axis -30° Compartments 6
	Codrington 53; OMRS-70; Mitchiner #825

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 in front of the face 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 Type III Kahavanu probably continued to be minted in Sri Lanka and used as currency till the modern era. See coin purchased in 1998 from an Antique shop in Kandy.

The Kahavanu was scanned at 600dpi and displayed at 300dpi. Coin was purchased in 2013 January with a large hoard from a dealer in Colombo, Sri Lanka.