Accession No
Z 21148 K.1-17
Description
17 copper coins, used as cash in the Kingdom of Tranvacore, including: [.1-2] Copper cash of Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma (1813-1846). Obverse depicts a conch shell within a circle surrounded by beads. Reverse depicts Shiva Lingam within a circle surrounded by beads. [.3-17] Copper cash of Uthram Thirunal Marthanda Varma II (1846-1860), Visakhom Thirunal Rama Varma (1880-1885) and Moolam Thirunal Rama Varma (1885-1924). Obverse depicts the standing figure of Shri Krishna, within a beaded circle. Reverse depicts a Sudarshana Chakram, in the form of a six pointed star within a circle.
Place
Asia; South Asia; India; Tamil Nadu; Palayakayal
Period
19th century 20th century 1813-1912
Source
Hornell, James [collector]
Department
Anth
Reference Numbers
Z 21148 K.1-17
Cultural Affliation
Material
Metal; Copper
Local Term
Measurements
1mm x 8mm
Events
Context (Related Documents)
Card Catalogue for Z 21148 reads: 'S. E. Asia. (Ceylon) Sri Lanka. 'Not entered'.'
Event Date
Author: ashleigh griffin
Description (Labels & Markings)
An envelope was found with these coins, with a note handwritten in black pen reading: 'Old coins from site of Kayal. (1 ml north of Palayakayal). J.H. 21.3.12'.
Event Date
Author: Lizzy Peneycad
Context (Related Documents)
A piece of paper with scribbles in red and blue crayon was found with these coins.
Event Date
Author: Lizzy Peneycad
Description (Physical description)
Catalogue card for Z 21148: 'Nine envelopes/bags of coins, mostly coppers, plus a quantity of loose change.'
Event Date
Author: maa
Context (Amendments / updates)
Z 21148 comprises nine envelopes/bags containing coins, plus a box of loose change. Eight of the envelopes/bags were likely collected in Sri Lanka, while the ninth envelope notes the place of origin as Palayakayal, in India. The box of loose change comprises coins relating to multiple different countries; these coins have been sorted into groups according to type/period and country, with some countries only being represented by a single coin. The decision was taken to divide Z 21148 into 24 letter suffixes and records, with each envelope/bag of coins and each group of loose coins being assigned its own letter suffix (e.g. Z 21148 A). For letter suffixes associated with a group of coins, a numeric suffix range (e.g. Z 21148 A.1-55) has been added to the accession number, to indicate the number of coins within the group.
Event Date 4/7/2023
Author: Lizzy Peneycad
Context (Amendments / updates)
The catalogue card for Z 21148 records the place of origin as Sri Lanka, as the majority of coins associated with this number appear to have been collected from this country. However, the coins now assigned the suffix 'K' were found with an envelope that notes that they were collected from the 'site of Kayal (1 mile north of Palayakayal)', which is a village in India. The place and production fields have been updated accordingly.
Event Date 6/7/2023
Author: Lizzy Peneycad
Description (Physical description)
17 copper coins, used as cash in the Kingdom of Tranvacore, including: [.1-2] Copper cash of Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma (1813-1846). Obverse depicts a conch shell within a circle surrounded by beads. Reverse depicts Shiva Lingam within a circle surrounded by beads. [.3-17] Copper cash of Uthram Thirunal Marthanda Varma II (1846-1860), Visakhom Thirunal Rama Varma (1880-1885) and Moolam Thirunal Rama Varma (1885-1924). Obverse depicts the standing figure of Shri Krishna, within a beaded circle. Reverse depicts a Sudarshana Chakram, in the form of a six pointed star within a circle.
Event Date 7/7/2023
Author: Lizzy Peneycad
FM:302493
Images (Click to view full size):