ROYAL ASIATIC SOCIETY. 



165 



tions No. 8. They are gold, silver, and copper ; but all 

 apparently of the same general description. The gold coins 

 weigh about 6 grs., and the silver coins 5 grs., which is abou* 

 the l-17th of a shilling. My servant found one of these when 

 travelling with me a few months ago on the north coast near 

 to Mantotte. But this is as nothing to the vast number dis- 

 covered about two years ago in the Patchilapaly district of 

 Jaffna. The number is supposed to have been about 7000. 

 They were contained in a large blue and white glazed jar ) 

 3 feet from the surface, and among the roots of an old 

 tree of the Banyan species, not far from a coilla or Hindu 

 temple. The jar was near the feet of a human skeleton, 

 about which were many rich jewels — a ring was found with 

 the finger bone still remaining in. Ornaments and bars 

 of gold were also found in the jar. There was no silver or 

 copper at the place, all were of gold. A small common chatty 

 was found at another tree hard by, with the same description 

 of coins. The natives call the trees " demon trees." 



Some Roman medals were discovered at Mantotte in the 

 year 1574. Where they were deposited, and in whose hands 

 they now are, I have not been able to ascertain. It would be 

 gratifying if any member of the Society could furnish informa- 

 tion on the subject. 



The annexed representation No. 9 is of a coin of lead 75 

 grs. in weight, having on one side a Roman head, and on the 

 reverse an eagle standing on a thunderbolt as in the Roman 

 gold scrupulus. 



II. Modern Coins. 



In the former period, coins, always useful both as evidences 

 of historical facts and as affording illustrations of literary and 

 historical documents, have more of the former character than 



