View source for Vijayanagar Empire (1529-42) 1/2 pagoda

[[Image:SB523-72558o.jpg|300px|thumb|Stack's Bowers May 2023 Collector's Choice sale, lot 72558]]
[[Image:SB523-72558r.jpg|300px|thumb]]

This specimen was lot 72558 in Stack's Bowers Collector's Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, May 2023), where it sold for $600. The catalog description<sup>[1]</sup> noted, "[[India|INDIA]]. Vijayanagar Empire. Tuluva Dynasty. 1/2 Pagoda, ND (1529-42). Achyutaraya. NGC MS-65. Obverse: Gandabherunda (Double Headed Eagle) left; Reverse: Legend in Devanagari in three lines. A stunning Gem example, this piece glistens with a wholesome luster and escapes any major signs of marking or handling that are common on gold from this period. The strike is full, and this piece presents a cohesive charm and appeal to the eyes." The Vijayanagar Empire issued an extensive series of gold coins, about which we know shamefully little. Achyutaraya also issued a full pagoda (Fr-360). Wikipedia comments, <blockquote>"The Vijayanagara Empire...was a medieval Indian Empire that covered much of the region of South India, controlling the lands of the modern states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Goa, and some parts of Telangana and Maharashtra. It was established in 1336 by the brothers Harihara I and Bukka Raya I of the Sangama dynasty.... The empire rose to prominence as a culmination of attempts by the southern powers to ward off Perso-Turkic Islamic invasions by the end of the 13th century. At its peak, it subjugated almost all of South India's ruling families and pushed the sultans of the Deccan beyond the Tungabhadra-Krishna river doab region.... It lasted until 1646, although its power declined after a major military defeat in the Battle of Talikota in 1565 by the combined armies of the Deccan sultanates. The empire is named after its capital city of Vijayanagara, whose ruins surround present day Hampi...."</blockquote>

''Recorded mintage:'' unknown. 

''Specification:'' gold, 1.7 g. 

''Catalog reference:'' Fr-361, Mitchiner-673; Adams-139. 

''[[Bibliography|Source:]]''
* Friedberg, Arthur L. and Ira S. Friedberg, ''Gold Coins of the World, From Ancient Times to the Present, 9th ed.,'' Clifton, NJ: Coin and Currency Institute, 2017. 
* <sup>[1]</sup>Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, ''May 2023 World Collectors Choice Online Auction, Featuring the Richard Elliott Collection of Hooknecks,'' Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2023.

''Link to:''
* [[Tripura SE1449 tanka]]
* [[Mughal Empire AH 933 shahrukhi]]
* [[Coins and currency dated 1529]]

[[Category:Selections from the Stack's Bowers 2023 Collector's Choice sale]][[Category: Coinage of the Indian states]]