1940

TIBET: AR "tangka" (5.52g), SE1699 (1777). PCGS VF35

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / Coins: Ancient Start Price:600.00 USD Estimated At:700.00 - 900.00 USD
TIBET: AR  tangka  (5.52g), SE1699 (1777). PCGS VF35
SOLD
700.00USD+ (122.50) buyer's premium + applicable fees & taxes.
This item SOLD at 2018 Jan 19 @ 20:44UTC-8 : PST/AKDT
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TIBET: AR "tangka" (5.52g), SE1699 (1777) (cf. RGV. 644), 27.95mm, Nepalese mohar of Pratap Simha (1775-77) modified with bow and arrow design added to reverse, PCGS graded VF35, RRR, ex George Anderson, Nicholas Rhodes Collections (Spink Auction 21 Aug 2013 Lot 175). These pieces and other similar Nepalese coins altered in this way (with bow and arrow design skilfully engraved), were used as talismans in Tibet. It was believed that the owner of such a piece would be blessed with a boy child. They were regarded as very valuable as few were made. Coins altered in this way were called Da-shu-ma Kem-pa by the Tibetans (RGV, 1989, p. 210). "Da-shu-ma " (mda' gzhu ma) means "with arrow and bow." According to Carlo Valdettaro the bow and arrow design was carefully welded on to the coin wheras Nicholas Rhodes thought that it was engraved. We believe that both methods were used in order to produce this auspicious design; the outline of the design was engraved first, then thin silver wire was welded into the groove left by the engraving.