1857.] Proceedings oftlie Asiatic Society. 237 



There are two papers of the coins figured plate XX. of Vol. XT. 

 of the Journal as Ceylon coins, in very fine order, and I doubt not a 

 good set might be made out of them, on their legends being care- 

 fully read; these were given by Mr. 0. B. Skinner, in June, 1851, 

 In a separate lot are a quantity of coins having a close apparent 

 affinity to these, which I should also have considered as Cingalese, 

 but for a small second paper-full which are said to have been found 

 near Madras. 



Mr. T. Oldham, in February, 1856, presented a quantity of large 

 and small Arracan coins, very curious and quite unlike any other 

 Indian coinage. Several strings contain the currency of China, 

 Japan, &c, some of the latter being exceedingly grotesque. 



The Mahometan pieces may be divided into those of the Pathans 

 of Delhi, the Pathans of Bengal, the Moguls, and the coins of 

 Ghuzui, Khwarism, &c. 



Of these last mentioned, there are a fair number, including two 

 gold of Alaeddin Mohamed Shah ; they have chiefly been classed 

 by Mr. Thomas, who has not only named them, but in many in- 

 stances written the legend on the wrapper. I would urge that these 

 be carefully transcribed into a book, as the character being a difficult 

 one, if any of these papers be lost, it may be long ere they are 

 replaced, whereas many might be able to assign the right coin to 

 the right legend, though not sufficiently versed in the series to 

 themselves decipher the whole of the somewhat indistinct margins. 

 The same remark applies to the coins of the Sassanian dynasty and 

 Arab Governors of which the Society has several, and which are 

 even more caviare to the general multitude than the early cufic 

 abovementioned. 



In Delhi Pathans there is little to be proud of, though two broad 

 pieces of Mahomed ben Sam, a new type of Mahomed Shah and a 

 silver Rizia are all valuable, especially the last. Of this series I have 

 made a concise catalogue with reference to " Thomas's Pathan 

 Sovereigns," which will help any one anxious to increase the Society's 

 possessions in this line. 



In Bengal Pathans the cabinet is rich, but as I hope to furnish 

 the journal with a separate paper on this topic, I forbear saying 

 more of these at present. 



