ROYAL ASIATIC SOCIETT. 



15? 



On Some of the Coins, Ancient and Modern, of Ceylon, — By 

 the Hgn\ Mr. Justice Stark.— ( Read 26th February, 

 1848.J 



The study of coins, or Numismatics, is both interesting and 

 important. For besides 1, their absolute or intrinsic value, 

 arising from their pecuniary or their artistic worth, and 2, 

 their monetary value, or value as currency, coins have also, 3, 

 a great literary and historical value. They supply at once 

 sensible, living and portable evidences and illustrations of his- 

 tory and literature. 



Moreover within a limited area such as this island, coins 

 in an historical and literary point of view acquire a peculiar 

 interest and importance. For here, we are as it were like the 

 inhabitants of a coast on which the tide continually ebbs and 

 flows : — we see the tide of conquest and population advancing 

 on the island and receding ; our attention is drawn to the cir~ 

 cumstance and from the coins at different times deposited, we 

 ascertain the character and operation of the political power of 

 which they were the representatives. 



The subject has not yet received among us however, the 

 consideration it deserves ; and in the present paper, the want 

 of a variety of specimens from the very limited nature of our 

 collections, has been such as to render this but a mere con- 

 tribution in furtherance of the study, and to draw the attention 

 of members more immediately to its prosecution. 



1. Ancient Coins, 



The most ancient coins hitherto discovered in the island 

 appear to be those found in such quantities at Calpentyn, 

 Mantotte, and other places on the north coast, and of which 



