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Auction: 13020 - Tibetan Coins from the Nicholas Rhodes Collection
Lot: 513

Tibet, 5 Tam, dated T.E. 1658 (= AD 1912/13), green, serial number 5676, Obverse: The central part features a snow lion facing left and turning his head backwards, sitting in front of a flower vase. In the background, a mountainous landscape with the sun in the upper right corner below clouds which are drawn in conventional Chinese style. Red unepigraphic seal imprint on the left and imprint of black seal type 1 on the right. The black seal has two columns of Tibetan seal script which read gzhung dngul khang ("Government Treasury"). Above and below the central design, the following legend in four lines:
gangs ljongs bod rgyal khab chen po´i lugs zung chab/
srid dbu brnyes kyi lo chig stong drug brgya lnga bcu nga brgyad/
phun tshogs sde bzhi´i dpal mnga´ phan bde´i spyi nor/
chos srid gnyis ldan gyi rab byung bco lnga pa 'i shog dngul/.
["1658 years from the founding of the religious-secular form of government in the great country of Tibet, the land of snows, paper money (shog dngul) of the 15th cycle (rab byung bco lnga) of the government of religion and politics (chos srid gnyis ldan), the universal jewel (spyi nor) of benefit and bless, endowed with the four types of auspiciousness"]. Reverse: The central field is occupied by an oval shaped cartouche and scroll work in each corner. Inside the cartouche the five symbolic objects which stimulate the senses (Tibetan: ´don yon sna lnga) are represented: The mirror (me long) symbolizes the physical forms (gzugs) that appeal to the eye. The two peaches (shing tog) on either side of the mirror are pleasing to the taste (ro). The pair of cymbals (sil snyan) below the mirror represent the sounds (sgra) which reach the ear. The pieces of cloth that are attached to the cymbals excite the sense of touch (reg bya). The conch shell (dung) below the cymbals is supposed to contain a fragrant liquid which stimulates the faculty of smell. (Pick 1, YZM 866-872), fine for issue and scarce.

Sold for
HK$3,200