Numismatic Literature

Lot 5467    Session 17 (11.30am Friday)    Numismatic Literature

Estimate $300
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $1,050

PORTUGUESE INDIA, as used in Ceylon (Sri Lanka), circulated under Portuguese rule, silver four tanga c.1633, but not dated, (12.44 grams), obv. crowned arms, rev. A over T, 4 below, D M either side of T, (KM.-, M.-, Gomes 21.01). Hoard patination, fair - nearly very fine, surface scratches, and very rare, known from only a few examples.

Probably struck at the Malacca mint during the reign of King Dom Felipe III of Portugal, only the silver four denominations were struck, the half tanga, the tanga, the double tanga and the quadruple tanga. This quadruple tanga was struck between the years 1633-1636 at the Malacca Mint and was specially designed and issued for Malacca. All denominations of silver Tangas and multiples of Malacca have the mintmark of "A M" or "M A" and as such link to the Malacca Mint. Obviously some of this issue moved to Ceylon where apparently this coin was found and has been left uncleaned.