Ceylon 1649 2 tangas
This specimen was lot 2045 in Sincona sale 77 (Zürich, May 2022), where it sold for 650 CHF (about US$789 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"CEYLON | Kolonialprägungen | Portugiesische Kolonie. 2 Tangas 1649. Gekröntes Wappen, zwischen G - A. Rv. Ligiertes Monogramm TA teilt D - S, unten gebogen 1649. Selten. Sehr schön-fast vorzüglich. (Ceylon, Portuguese colony, two tangas of 1649. Crowned arms between "G A"; reverse: ligted monogram "TA" and "D - S", date below. Rare. Very fine-about extremely fine.)"
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 4.31 g.
Catalog reference: KM 14.
- 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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