154 CEYLON BRANCH— ROYAL ASIATIC SOCIETY. 



There is a small gold coin, apparently of the same class with 

 the preceding copper coins. A representation of it is annexed. 

 No. 2. On the obverse there is a figure resembling that on the 

 copper coins, yet of superior workmanship ; but on the reverse 

 there is no figure, but characters only. It may be later in date* 

 It weighs six grains and a half. 



In a communication to this Society from Mr. Simon Casie 

 Chitty, mention is made of another gold coin of the same class, 

 weighing 60 grains. It is described as having on one side a 

 figure seated in the Indian manner with the Nagari characters 

 Sri Lankeswar, the lord of Lanka. * And in the same com- 

 munication reference is made to some other coins also of the 

 same class. 



Annexed is a representation of another coin No. 3 which ap- 

 pears to be the same as that mentioned in the Asiatic Researches 

 Vol. 17. p. 597 fig. 110, but not otherwise described there 

 than as having thereon rade figures, one apparently intended for 

 Hanuman. It weighs 51 A grs. 



There is also another small copper coin, a copy of 

 which is annexed No. 4, having on the obverse two figures, 

 which one might fancy to be Rama with his bow, and the giant 

 prince of Lanka. It weighs 45 J grs* 



In the Mahawanso mention is frequently made of the Kaha- 

 panan. Mr. Tumour describes this as a gold coin worth 10" 

 masakan, which he says is a silver coin called in Singhalese 

 massa, and now valued at eight pence. This would make the 

 Kahapanan six shillings and eight pence. According to another 

 account, derived from the Books of discipline, the Kahapanan 

 consists of 4 padas or quarters, each of which contains 5 ma- 

 saka ; and as in determining cases of discipline at the present 

 day, the priests reckon the pada equivalent to a rupee, the masa- 

 kan would thus be about.4|d. and the kahapanan 8 shillings which 



* This or the preceding seems to be what Dr. Davy ca'ls the 

 dambadinian rhatra or gold piece. Davy's Ceylon, p«$ 245. 



