[ Punchmarked coins ] [ Lakshmi coins ] [ Elephant Swastika ] [ Tree and Swastika ] [ Maneless Lion ] [ Rectangular Bull ]
The Ancient coinage of Ceylon begins with the
Purana Punchmarked coins from the end of the third century and continues with
the distinctly Sinhalese Elephant & Swastika to Rectangular Bull coins until
the Maneless Lion type, now conclusively identified as from the reign of King
Mahasen (A.D. 277 - 304). In our classification, we analyze the Pandyan, Pallava
coins separately even though the early Pandyan types, for example, would theoretically
belong to the Ancient period.
In addition to the well known Ancient Ceylon
coins series described above, a group of locally issued inscribed lead coins,
hitherto unknown, that can be dated between the second century B.C. and the
second century A.D. has been uncovered from Akurugoda in the Tissamaharma in the
Deep South of Sri Lanka recently. We are in general agreement that these new coins
belong to the Ancient coinage of Ceylon and will be adding a complete
section covering these coins to the website shortly.
Please follow the hyperlinks below for the
different types and varieties of Ancient Ceylon coins.
[ Punchmarked coins ] [ Lakshmi coins ] [ Elephant Swastika ] [ Tree and Swastika ] [ Maneless Lion ] [ Rectangular Bull ]
