44 
HIXTS TO COIX-COLLECTORS 
represented with either a sceptre or inscription between. 
Sometimes the fish appear crossed, and in 
No. 14. , . . . , . 
later issues it occupies the exergum, with 
a dancing figure of Vishnu or Garuda in the field. Unlike 
the coins of the Cholas, the Pandyan 
No. 15. . ... 
issues usually bear an inscription, but 
unfortunately out of thousands of specimens that are con- 
stantly being found at and near the old Pandyan capital, 
it is but very rarely that one meets with a single medal with 
an inscription of which more than one or two letters are 
decipherable. Nor have we, to help us here, what countries 
with a written history can boast, a reliable list of the 
sovereigns of the various dynasties that have ruled. In 
Pandyan issues especially, owing to the bad state of pre- 
servation in which they are usually found, the want of some 
such list is more than ever felt. By far the commonest 
name decipherable on their coins is Sundara Pandya, and it 
is not improbable from the variations in the coins bearing 
this name, that it was merely a dynastic title. Other names 
certainly occur, such, for example, as appear to read " Xorkai 
Anddn, Kula Shek'hara, Vira Pandya, Soku Laban, Bhu- 
tila, Samara Kolahala (No. 15), &c.," and though among 
these here and there appear one or two names, such as Kula 
Shek'hara, Vira Pandj'a and Samara Kolahala, which have 
found a place in one or two of the numerous lists that have 
been published from time to time, founded on grants and 
inscriptions of the period, by far the greater number bear 
" names — empty names," the very reading of which is in 
many instances decidedly doubtful. Other coins again, 
instead of recording the name of the king who struck them, 
merely record an event in his reign. Such is the case with 
No. 14:, on the reverse of which appear the words " Kanchi 
Valankun Perumal " (the king who gave 
back Kanchi or Conjeeveram) and this 
may connect the piece with Sundara Pandya of Nelson's list, 
