208 



JOURNAL, R.A.S. (CEYLON). 



[Vol. XIX. 



An examination of the plaques leaves no doubt that they 

 were never circulated and used as money. 



In this class (A) (i.) quite 90 per cent, of all the plaques from 

 Mullaittivu, Anuradhapura, Mantota, and Polonnaruwa must 

 be included. 



(ii.) The next class are those in which the female figure is 

 replaced by a male figure in a sitting position, with the right 

 leg hanging down and the left tucked up beneath him. In 

 his hand he seems to bear a weapon similar to that held by the 

 goddess, and on his head appears a conical cap. The reverse 

 is in every way simiar to (L), and in all points, save in the 

 figure, the two classes are similar. Of this type (ii.) there 

 are six specimens, five from Mullaittivu and one from 

 Anuradhapura. 



(iii.) A single specimen found within Kiribat Vehera at 

 Anuradhapura has evidently been struck, and must come 

 under (A), but in several ways it differs considerably from 

 (i.) and (ii.). It measures if" x ^f'^ and is very thin, 

 weighing only 13 J grains. It has been cut from sheet copper, 

 but is of superior workmanship to any of (i.) or (ii.). The 

 obverse is a very rough representation of a female figure as in 

 the larger plaques. The reverse bears the usual swastika ; but 

 the bull and vase are replaced by two curved strokes thus J| . 

 What these mean I do not know. 



(B) Cast plaques. — (iv.) The most striking are oblong 

 plaques with outcurving sides — barrel-shaped — which were 

 unearthed near Thuparama in company with the small double- 

 die coin described as being possibly a \ pana. 



There are three specimens all too much damaged for the 

 weight to be accurately determined. It may have amounted 

 to 80 grains. On the obverse is a graceful representation of 

 the standing goddess, and on the reverse is the usual swastika, 

 with a symbol in the field on either side. That on the left may 

 be a trisula ; that on the right I am unable to determine. 



(v.) Together with these barrel- shaped plaques and the J 

 pana was found a single small oblong specimen, which I think 

 is cast. It is much corroded, but appears similar to the general 



