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Lot No.122
AUC14
Hindu Coins of Medieval India
Auction Date: 21-12-2013
Gold
Vijayanagara Empire, Gold Dodda Honnu or 'Double Pagoda' of Krishnadeva Raya (1509-1530 AD), MCSI-I, type 1088, 7.79g. Obv: Four-armed Lord Venkateshwara of Tirupati standing under an ornamental archway, wearing tapering crown (Shikhara-mukuta), ear-ornaments (Karna-kundalas) and other jewelled attributes shown by a flowing array of dots and lines. He holds Shankha and Chakra in his upper hands, and makes the gesture of 'boon-giving' (Varada-mudra) with one of his lower. The archway or Torana, has Makara-shaped keystones and a Keertimukha above the deity's head. Rev: Devanagari legend in three lines Sri / Krishna Ra / ya within a double circular border.
Extremely Fine. A superb and well centre stuck Specimen of highest rarity and historical importance.
Similar coin was sold in Spink (London) Auction on 26th March 2013, Lot No. 105 at £ 24,000.
This extremely rare and important coin is perhaps one of the 30000 coins specially struck by Krishnadeva Raya in 1516, to perform a Kanakabhishekam (“Shower of Gold”) ceremony at the Tirupati temple, to thank the Lord for his victory over the Kondavidu and Gajapati dynasties of neighbouring Andhra-Orissa country. It shows a truly splendorous depiction of Venkateshwara, in all its jewelled glory on obverse. As compared with it the simplicity of the reverse stands out as a testimony to the King's devotion and subservience to the Lord. A numismatic masterpiece!
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Estimated Price :
Rs. 12,00,000-15,00,000
Sold For :
Rs. 18,00,000
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