Item number: A357

Year: AD 1850-1875

Material: Copper

Size: 19.1 x 18.5 x 1.6 mm

Weight: 3.85 g

Provenance: Noonans 2022

This is a manually crafted Matam copper coin from the Buddhist kingdom of Bhutan, located on the southern slopes of the Himalayas, dated between AD 1850 and AD 1875.

Numismatists categorise Bhutanese coins issued between AD 1785 and AD 1930 into four periods. This coin belongs to the third period, during which Bhutanese coinage featured more Mahayana Buddhist symbols in its design.

The coin is made of red copper, with both sides featuring line-constructed rectangles and Tibetan script in the design. The obverse of the coin is roughly divided into three sections by lines. The left side features two hook-like motifs positioned back-to-back vertically, with two dots beside them for decoration. The right side displays a lightning-shaped mark inscribed with the Tibetan word “ndra” in Dzongkha, a common motif on Bhutanese coins.

The reverse of the coin is divided into two sections by lines. The upper section features a geometric pattern composed of curves and dots. In the centre of the lower section, there is a pair of heart-shaped goldfish, flanked by rectangular decorations on both sides, with the left rectangle containing a cross.

The goldfish, one of the “Eight Auspicious Symbols” revered by Buddhists, symbolise the eyes of the Buddha and are thus regarded as representations of wisdom and prosperity. Additionally, they signify those who transcend worldly existence through spiritual practise.

Prior to the 20th century, Bhutan did not have a significant need for monetary transactions, and coins were often given as gifts by kings or local chieftains known as “Penlop.” Historical records indicate that Bhutan initially commissioned the minting of coins from the southern Cooch Behar kingdom before establishing a domestic minting industry. Due to the scarcity of precious metals like gold and silver within Bhutan, copper, which was abundant locally, became the primary material for coin production. Early coin designs were heavily influenced by Hindu culture, but over time, they gradually incorporated more elements of indigenous Mahayana Buddhism.

物件編號: A357

年代: 公元 1850-1875 年

材料: 紅銅

尺寸: 19.1 x 18.5 x 1.6 mm

重量: 3.85 g

來源: 諾南斯 2022

這是一枚位於喜馬拉雅山南麓的佛教王國不丹，於公元1850至1875年之間以手工打造的馬塔姆銅幣。錢幣學家將公元1785至1930年間，不丹發行的錢幣分為四大時期，這枚錢幣是第三時期的形制，該時期的不丹錢幣出現更多大乘佛教的圖騰設計。

錢幣以紅銅鑄成，正反兩面以線條構成的矩形搭配藏文作為設計。錢幣正面大致被線條劃分為三個區塊，左側是上下背對的兩個鈎狀圖騰，旁邊飾有兩粒圓點作為裝飾。右側是一個以藏文拼寫的宗喀語「ndra」閃電狀標記，這是經常出現在不丹錢幣上的典型圖騰。

錢幣背面以線條劃分為上下兩個區塊，上方有曲線和圓點構成的幾何圖案。下方的正中央，有一對呈現愛心形狀的金魚，左右兩側以方框作為裝飾，左側的方框內部還帶有十字。金魚是佛教徒推崇的「佛門八寶」其中一個圖騰，象徵著佛陀的雙眼，故被視作智慧和富裕的象徵，同時也寓意那些能超脫於俗世的修行者。

進入公元20世紀以前，不丹國內沒有興盛的貨幣交易需求，錢幣多半是君王或地方頭人「彭洛普」作為贈與的禮物。根據紀錄不丹最早是委由南方的科奇比哈爾土邦協助鑄幣，後續方才在國內興建本土的鑄幣事業。由於不丹境內缺乏金銀等貴重金屬，故多以本地盛產的銅礦作為原料。早先的錢幣設計深受印度教文化影響，後期則逐漸融入更多本土的大乘佛教元素。