Ceylon 1645 2 tangas
This specimen was lot 2044 in Sincona sale 77 (Zürich, May 2022), where it sold for 575 CHF (about US$698 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"CEYLON | Kolonialprägungen | Portugiesische Kolonie. 2 Tangas 1645. Gekröntes Wappen, links ein G. Rv. Feuerrost des Heiligen Laurentius über Krone teilt die Jahreszahl 15 - 45. Sehr schön. Leichte Prägeschwäche. (Ceylon, Portuguese colony, two tangas of 1645. Obverse: crowned arms, "G" to left; reverse: the grate of St. Laurence above a crown divides the date. Very fine. Slightly weakly struck.)"
The Portuguese conquered the coastline of Ceylon in the mid sixteenth century but were unable to keep their grip in the face of Dutch attacks and they withdrew in the mid seventeenth century. The Dutch ruled the coast (the interior remained independent) until the British seized the entire island in the 1790's. The Portuguese issued a few crude copper coins for their domain but most Portuguese minting was done in Goa, on the mainland.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 4.31 g, silver, this specimen 4.45 g.
Catalog reference: KM 15 (plate coin!).
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
- Alberto Gomes and Francisco Antonio Magro, Moedas Portuguesas e do Território Que Hoje é Portugal: Catálogo das Moedas Cunhadas para o Continentes e Ilhas Adjacentes, para os Territórios do Ultramar e Grão-Mestres Portugueses da Ordem de Malta, 6ª Edição, Lisbon: Associação Numismática de Portugal, 2013.
- [1]Richter, Jürg, SINCONA Auction 77, World Coins and Medals, Bullion Auction, Coins and Medals of Switzerland, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2022.
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