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Auction: 23127 - Spink Numismatic e-Circular 32: Indian and Islamic Coins Featuring the Klaus Bronny Collection of Bhutanese and Nepalese Coins - e-Auction
Lot: 9669

Nepal, Anonymous, Tanka, imitating prototypes issued by Ala-ud-Din Muhammad Shah Khilji, (1605-1639), undated, Sri Sri in central circle, rev. crouching lion in two intersecting squares, dorje above, 7.18g (RGV 204), crudely struck and with deposits in fields, fine, scarce; Anonymous, Tanka, imitating prototypes issued by Ala-ud-Din Muhammad Shah Khilji, (1605-1639), undated, trident, sword with garland above, rev. trident with crescent and dot on each side, 8.91g (Rhodes, Nepal 244; RGV 219), lightly pitted surfaces, fine, scarce (2)

The Klaus Bronny Collection of Bhutanese and Nepalese Coins

i) Although the design of this piece indicates that it was probably struck to circulate as a tanka, this specimen alongside one housed in the British Museum, has been analysed revealing them to have no silver in them at all. It is probably the very final debasement of the tanka series, struck in the mid or late AD 1630s.

Metallurgical analysis:
Cu 67.74%
Ag 23.41%
Zn 8.65%
Ga 0.20%

ii) Rhodes et al (1989) noted that coins of this type are normally so debased that they appear to be made of brass.

Metallurgical analysis:
Cu 85.5%
Zn 3.88%
Sn 3.37%
Pb 3.00%
Os 2.8%
Ir 0.89%
Fe 0.447%
Ni 0.097%


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Sold for
£1,800

Starting price
£70