________________
AUGUST, 1908.]
BOME DOUBTFUL OOINS OF SOUTHERN INDIA.
325
No. 59-X. Copper - 06. - In a lined circle and circle of dots & chakra on right side, and a lozenge on the left, with
balls on the points; moon above; an object below that may perhaps represent flames,
but is very doubtful. Rev.-In lined circle and circle of dots & standing king closely resembling the figure on
No. 59-D. But in this case one of the two long lines on the left seems to be intended for a trident. In both this and 59-D there is a cross line connecting the straight object with the king's right arm. The object in the field below the king's left arm
is bere a dot, possibly a sun-disk, instead of a lozenge. The position on the obverse of the lozenge seems to shew that it was intended to represent the chakra of Vishņa; and it is just possible that in all these cases the lozenges, whether standing alone or on triangles, may be intended to symbolize very conventionally the chank and chakra. If so, the triangles would represent supports, or altars.
No. 59-T
Odp. - Garuds, arms uplifted, running to left. The action is spirited. Rev. - In lined circle and circle of dots a double design. On the right is the standing king,
As before, with the two spears (1) on his proper right. On the left of this, two lozenges one above the other, with a short horizontal line dividing them. Or, perhaps, this last group may be intended to be looked at sideways, in which case it
resembles the design on No. 59-B. Lined circle and circle of dots round. The presence of the Garuda here emphasizes the remark made under 59-E, that these coins were issued by Vishņu-worshippers, and that the lozenges may be conventionalized Vaishṇava symbols. No. 60. Copper - Obo. - In a lined circle and circle of dots an elephant, with very long trunk, facing right; three
dots below. Rev. - In a lined circle and circle of dots a figure of Visbņu. His arms are uplifted holding
the chank and chakra. Round his waist is a sash with very large flying ends, trefoilshaped. In the field under his right arm is a tortoise, in allusion to the Kurma Apatdra.
No. 61. Copper -
A number of copper coins were given to me when in the Bellary district, which were said to be commonly found in that tract.. The people there kuow them as Handé Rayani dubs. I bave nineteen of them. In all, except one, one side is quite plain, the other has one small syrgbol punched in it - either a moon-crescent, or a snake. Two of the coins shew faint traces of having belonged to a regular coinage, the design on which has been almost entirely defaced. The coins are thick. I fancy that they must be Muhammadan coins, worn down till the faces have become obliterated, re-called into a treasury (perhaps that of the Rajah of Sandûr, or one of the lesser chiefs), die-strack in the manner seen, and then re-issued. I give an illustration of one of these, die-struck on both
sides.
No. 67. Copper
I conclude with a small square of copper, evidently not a coin, and looking more like a charm, with an inscription engraved in Telugu characters. I should be glad if someone would interpret it. The characters apparently read Bild (or lanh) pa rovimu (or pu) nga Ranga. Of this I can make no sense. It came from the Ganjam district.
