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Auction: 21117 - Indian, Islamic and World Coins e-Auction
Lot: 4461

Sri Lanka (Ceylon), Vijaya Bahu I (1055-1111), gold Kahavanu, 4.24g, (type I), standing figure of Ceylon style, holding a flower right, lamp stand and other symbol under arm in left field, four annulets with a solid bead above in right, rev. figure seated right, holding a conch shell right, Devanagari legend in right field Sri Vija ya Ba hu (Codrington 71; Mitchiner, Southern India, part 2, 319), fine style, extremely fine and very rare, especially in gold

There were four rulers named Vijaya Bahu who ruled over Ceylon in the Medieval period, however it is generally agreed that these coins were issued by Vijaya Bahu I. They closely resemble the Kahavanus struck in the name of Raja Raja I during the Chola occupation, and it was Vijaya Bahu I who successfully united the various strands of the Sinhanlese royal house behind him and let a resistance movement against the Cholas. This took many years, but they were finally ousted in 1069 and he assumed control of the then capital, Polonnaruwa. From there he instigated many projects to restore the famed irrigation systems that had ensured the country's productivity for many centuries, and revitalised the Buddhist viharas that had received a setback under the Saivite Cholas.
It is likely these coins were issued in 1070 or shortly after. The cataloguer has not had the opportunity to test one of these coins for their metal contact, so I am grateful to refer to https://coins.lakdiva.org/ that lists two with gold colouration that have a gold content of 30-32%. Codrington notes that this type is found in both silver and gold.

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Sold for
£1,200

Starting price
£280