1833.) Bactrian and Indo-Scythic Coins. 415 
As another anomaly in these coins, it may be remarked that fhe let- 
ters on the left of the prince, in fig. 15, are identical with the Tibetan 
triliteral compound ¥ Spy, pronounced as ch or sh, with the inherent 
short vowel a, spya or sha ; this combination forms no word in the Ti- 
betan language, but with the vowel sign 7 (she) it would signify “ ge- 
neric” or ‘‘ general,” as ie spyi-dpon (pronounced shi-pon) vice- 
roy, or governor general. 
Now the Tibetan alphabet, according to Mr. Csoma Kéréshy, was 
only formed as a modification from the Sanskrit model in the seventh 
century of our era, up to which period it were difficult to conceive that 
the characteristic monogram of Bactria should have been preserved. 
The two first letters of the side inscription also resemble the Tibetan 
xy pa, or if the antecedent dot be an r, pra. 
On the right hand, in fig, 15, is a standard resembling in some sort 
a Roman eagle; it is probably the Garura, or bird of Visunu, and if 
so, 1s a proof of the connection of this coin with the ascendancy of the 
Vaishnava sects. 
Of this peculiar class of coin, the plates in the Asiatic Researches afford 
numerous varieties. Inow pass to another type, more recent perhaps 
by several centuries, but more rare than the preceding. The legends 
are here decidedly in the Devandgari character ; yet the devices still 
bear a near analogy to their Grecian prototypes: the horseman, the 
bull, the lion, the seated figure, are revived with variations of dress and 
attitude, but it seems to have been contrary to the feelings or taste 
of the country to represent the human face, or perhaps the artists found 
themselves unequal to the task. Mythological subjects were better 
suited to the Hindus. The bull of Siva, the Singh of Durea, the 
Garura of Visunu ; Gunesu, Hanuman, and similar devices, predo- 
minated until the latest period in the coins of Southern India and 
Ceylon* ; or until the progress of Mahomedan conquest interdicted the 
privilege of coinage to the tributary Hindu princes. 
From the desultory mode in which materials are collected for my plates, 
and from a wish to avoid delineating any that have already appeared in 
print, it is impossible for me to give a connected train of Hindu coins, 
and the student must refer to the plates in the As. Res. vol. xvii, for 
more ample information. The medley of types once collected and pre- 
served however may eventually afford the means of a proper classifica- 
tion, although it cannot be attempted in the present state of our scanty 
knowledge. 
* See plates III. IV. As. Res, XVII. and Mr. Wizson’s remarks on the Ramatan- 
kas, Garada-Mudras, &c. 
