________________
MARCH, 1880.)
THE SWASTIKA.
65
self, and so readily made softer by heat, that we should be wrong to pronounce any final opinion upon the actual methods of manipulation, which seem, however, to have admitted of a superimposed, or otherwise as it is technically termed superstruck, secondary impression. Whether this was effected by mere reheating and the pressure of a hard-clay mould upon the surface of the original casting, it would be hard to say. Numismatically-speaking the latest impression ought to decide relative dates. But we know too little about family or tribal relations in this case to venture to draw ordinary deductions from the given data.
That mechanical striking, or the complete formation of a coin of two dies, was in vogue at this coincident period, is proved by the smaller copper coins bearing the same legends and devices as the leaden pieces, which, however,
come out far more distinctly in their devices, and sharper and more definite in their legends than the associate coins of the other metal.
The S hacoins, just described, furnish us with unusually definite examples of a practice common in the early mintages of southern India--of designedly leaving the lower surface of the piece blank. In these instances, the lead has seemingly been poured out, in a fluid state, from a heated ladle, on to flat surfaces of stone, or even wood, and then sealed with the impress of the single authorizd die, which was to give it a legal currency, according as the ultimate weight corresponded by this crade process with the intentional value. Mr. Tookey, who has lately held the position of English Mint-Assayer in Japan, informs me that a similar system of rude fabrication of money prevailed until very lately in that kingdom.
THE SWASTIKA. BY E. THOMAS, F.R.S., CORRESPONDANT DE L'INSTITUT DE FRANCE. The crypto-inport of the mystic cross of ference, I found that, in one instance, the SwasWestern nations--the counterpart of the Indian tika had been inserted within the rings or Swastika, has hitherto proved an enigma alike normal circles representing the four suns of the to classic and oriental commentators. Our Ujjain pattern on coins,' in which position it Andhra coins seem to suggest a solution, seemed equally to declare its own meaning as which may, percbance, satisfy and convince all indicating the onward movement and advancing parties.
rotation of the heavenly body which is described In describing Coin No. 3 of this series, (page in some texts as never going back. 62, ante) I pointed out, that the place of I had already noticed that thero was an the more definite figure of the Sun, in its rayed. unaccountablo absence of the visible sun, or its wheel form, was taken by the emblematic accepted representative, in tho long list of cross of the Swastika. The position, so taken, the recognised devices of the twenty-four Jaina in apposition to, or in natural balance of the Tirthankaras, whose distinguishing chilnas, or coincident semilune, could leave no doubt marks, constituted so important an element in the that the aim and intention in this case was to authoritative discrimination of the succession of represent symbolically the great luminary itself. their saints. In seeking for further confirmation of this in- The sun, moreover, occupied a high place in
1 "The sixth class of Sauras in opposition to the preceding deemed it unnecessary to address their devotions to the visible and material sun: they provided a mental luminary, on which they meditated, and to which their adoration was offered they stamped circular orbs on their foreheads. arms, and breasts with hot irons." -II. H. Wilson, Religion of the Hindus, Wasays, vol. I. p. 19. See also Colebrooke's Essays (Cowell's Ed. London, 1873) vol. I. pp. 210-212, vol. II. p. 191, and the originals, in Asiatic Researches, vols. VII. and IX.
Gen. Cunningham, Bhilsa Topes, plate xxxi. fig. 8. p. 854. 3 "He, the impeller, the chief of charioteers, (Pshan), ever urges on that golden wheel (of his car) for the radiant fun." Rig Veda iv. viii. 7. Wilson, vol. HII. p. 497. A note is appended to this passage to the effect that "the second is rendered Adity, he who moves or revolves." So also "the 18 spoked wheel of the true (sun) revolves around
the heavens." i. 3. Wilson's R. V. vol. II. p. 130. The Inter Indian conceptions of the motion of the sun are em bodied in the following terms:-"The chariot of the sun is . on which is fixed a whoel with 3 uares (or rather, & triple nave, or 3 naves in one), five spokes, and 6 peripheries consisting of tho ever-enduring your the wbolo constituting the circle or wheel of time."-Vishnu Purana ii. 8. Wilson, vol. II. p. 237. "As the circumference of a potter's wheel revolves most rapidly, so the sun travels rapidly on his southern journey. 16. ii. p. 940. "As the centre of the pottors' wheel revolves moro slowly (than the circumference), so the sun," &c. p. 247.
Burnouf is not very clear as to this meaning, he says, avdirartydib incapable de se détourner; in the Tibetan the sense runs, qui fait tourner la roue de la loi qui ne revient pas sur elle-même. Bournouf, tom. II. 800.000 also Remusat, p. 28, noto 6.
