Chola (300s BC–1279 AD)
In the
coat of arms of chola, the three emblems (Tiger-Chola, 2fish-Pandya, bow-Chera) are under the same umbrella. This suggests
that both the Chera and the Pandya had been vanquished. The emblem of a
"tiger facing two fish" was first adopted by Uttam Chola (973-985
AD). The seated tiger represented the Chola homeland and the fish for the
Pandya conquest. The fish on the Pandyan coins are horizontal (swimming) and in
this case vertical (dead). While in the coins of Uttama Chola, only the fish
and tiger are seen.
New entry to my collection:
The Cholas formed the Tamil dynasty governing varying
territories and perhaps the longest spanning dynasty from 3rd century BC to
13th century. They were known for marvelous architecture and
outstanding metal works which stand a testimony to this day of their legacy.
The coin reads Uttama Chola and the tiger on the obverse side depicts
the royal symbol of the Cholas. The Chola coins were of gold and silver
although during the later stages coins were made of copper.
There
were three main Kingdoms in South India - Cholas, Cheras and Pandyas. The
dynastic crest (Lakshana) of the Cholas was the Tiger, of the Cheras a Bow and
of the Pandyas a Fish. They were in constant conflict with each other and
fortunes swung one way or the other. If the ruler was a great conqueror and he
managed to subdue the two other crowned kings of the Tamil country (Tamil
desa), he adopted all the three royal crests on his coinage.
New entry to my collection:
Legend – Uttama chola in the “Nagari” script and not in
Tamil. That is a clear pointer to the pan-Indian orientation of the Chola kings
even granting “Nagari” script was widely used. The letters in the Nagari script
are quaintly legible on the coins of Chola kings.
INDIA, CHOLAS: UTTAMA CHOLA SILVER KAHAVANU. SCARCE+CHOICE!
Obverse
|
Roaring Tiger (Chola symbol) seated right facing towards
two upright Fishes (Pandyan symbol), Bow (Chera symbol) behind, Umbrella
above.
|
Reverse
|
Granthi
? legend in two lines: Uttama / Cholah
|
Date
|
973-985
|
Weight
|
4.31
gm.
|
Diameter
|
18
mm.
|
Die
axis
|
8
o'clock
|
Reference
|
MNI
713
|
Comments
|
A
CHOICE specimen of a SCARCE coin!
|
