Item number: A138
Year: 7-14 centuries
Material: gold
Size: 8.2 x 8.2 mm / thick: 1.0~1.8 mm
Weight: 1.2 g
Provenance: Spink 2023
This specimen is a 10 rattis gold coin issued by the Srivijaya Empire in Sumatra, Indonesia.
The obverse of this gold coin features Sanskrit inscriptions “मा (Ma)” which is the abbreviation for the unit masa, while the reverse depicts the image of a sandalwood flower.
The Srivijaya Empire was a prosperous maritime trading empire that flourished between the 7th and 13th centuries, located in what is now the territory of Indonesia. The exact origins of this empire can be traced back to Sumatra, although the precise date of its establishment remains uncertain. According to records, Srivijaya had already been established by around AD 670.
Due to its strategic geographical location, the empire controlled the Strait of Malacca, thus enabling it to dominate international maritime trade routes and become a pivotal center for East-West trade. Concurrently, the Srivijaya Empire was a proponent of Mahayana Buddhism, emerging as a religious nucleus within the region. Within this religious milieu, the empire cultivated distinctive Buddhist art characterized by the fusion of diverse cultural elements, showcasing a unique artistic style.
By the 11th century, the Srivijaya Empire had expanded its influence to encompass much of Java Island, establishing itself as the dominant power in the region. However, the empire subsequently faced threats from the Indian Chola Dynasty, leading to a gradual decline in its power. By the end of the 12th century, the Srivijaya Empire had significantly weakened. Ultimately, in the late 14th century, it was annexed by the Majapahit Empire, marking the end of Srivijaya’s sovereignty.
“Massa” and “Rattis” are both ancient Indian units of measurement, particularly used for weighing objects.
Massa: It was a unit of mass or weight, approximately equal to 2.4 kilograms. Its precise equivalent value in modern metric or imperial units might vary depending on historical periods and regional differences. It was typically considered a small unit of weight.
Rattis: A unit of mass commonly used in ancient India, particularly for measuring the weight of gemstones. Initially based on the standard weight of a seed of the jequirity bean, it was approximately equal to 0.12 kilograms. It is smaller than Massa and primarily employed in gemstone measurement. The precise conversion to modern units might vary.
These units were utilized across various contexts, including trade, commerce, and jewellery manufacturing, where precision in weight measurement was crucial. While they might not be commonly used in the modern era of the 21st centuries, their historical significance in Indian culture and commerce remains noteworthy.
Piloncito Coins:
There is a debate within the academic community regarding the definition of “Piloncito” despite the similarity of this type of coin to those unearthed in the Philippines. Some scholars argue from a broad perspective, asserting that the type and era of these coins align with the description of Piloncito. Conversely, another faction of scholars adopts a narrow definition, stipulating that only coins unearthed in the Philippines and bearing specific characters qualify as Piloncito.
