Hindu ramatanka temple tokens (mid to late 19th century)
Ramatanka Hindu temple tokens have been issued for devotional purposes since the beginning of the 19th century through to India’s independence in the 1940’s. Thereafter, their role was superseded by other forms of devotional tokens celebrating Diwali and other Hindu festivals. The earlier ramatankas are characterised by their dumpy fabric, being thicker and of smaller diameter than later issues. They were generally struck in high grade silver but after the mid-19th century became progressively debased and so by the turn of the 20th century they were being stuck in silvered brass.
Their obverse generally shows the Dubar scene as described in the Ramayama, during which Rama and Sita are seated in State on a dubar (platform) with an attendant holding a parasol and two of Rama’s half-brothers with Hamuman underneath giving his praises and devotions to Rama and Sita. The Ramayama is a Hindu epic telling of Rama’s exile, his trials and tribulations during exile, his efforts to regain his kingdom with the help of the Hanuman the monkey god and his eventual triumphant return to his kingdom at Ayodhya with Sita at his side.
The reverse side shows Rama and his half-brother Lakshman holding their bow and arrows.
References:
www.flickr.com/photos/23885771@N03/3404685632/in/set-7215... (General information about the ramatanka).
www.flickr.com/photos/23885771@N03/3403875261/in/set-7215... (Some general information about the Ramayana, a Hindu epic about Rama).
Indian Tokens by Michael Mitchiner. Published by Hawkins Publications 1998. ISBN 0-904173-24-0.
Material: Silver.
Size:
Weight: 11.91g & 12.82g
Edge: Plain.
Mint: Calcutta.
Religion: Hindu.
Mitchiner reference: 343.
Photo reproduced with kind permission of the seller (misralex).
Sold on eBay 1st September 2014.
Item number 311065140543.
Start price £6.99 and sold for £23.00 + p&p (9 bids from 5 bidders).
Hindu ramatanka temple tokens (mid to late 19th century)
Ramatanka Hindu temple tokens have been issued for devotional purposes since the beginning of the 19th century through to India’s independence in the 1940’s. Thereafter, their role was superseded by other forms of devotional tokens celebrating Diwali and other Hindu festivals. The earlier ramatankas are characterised by their dumpy fabric, being thicker and of smaller diameter than later issues. They were generally struck in high grade silver but after the mid-19th century became progressively debased and so by the turn of the 20th century they were being stuck in silvered brass.
Their obverse generally shows the Dubar scene as described in the Ramayama, during which Rama and Sita are seated in State on a dubar (platform) with an attendant holding a parasol and two of Rama’s half-brothers with Hamuman underneath giving his praises and devotions to Rama and Sita. The Ramayama is a Hindu epic telling of Rama’s exile, his trials and tribulations during exile, his efforts to regain his kingdom with the help of the Hanuman the monkey god and his eventual triumphant return to his kingdom at Ayodhya with Sita at his side.
The reverse side shows Rama and his half-brother Lakshman holding their bow and arrows.
References:
www.flickr.com/photos/23885771@N03/3404685632/in/set-7215... (General information about the ramatanka).
www.flickr.com/photos/23885771@N03/3403875261/in/set-7215... (Some general information about the Ramayana, a Hindu epic about Rama).
Indian Tokens by Michael Mitchiner. Published by Hawkins Publications 1998. ISBN 0-904173-24-0.
Material: Silver.
Size:
Weight: 11.91g & 12.82g
Edge: Plain.
Mint: Calcutta.
Religion: Hindu.
Mitchiner reference: 343.
Photo reproduced with kind permission of the seller (misralex).
Sold on eBay 1st September 2014.
Item number 311065140543.
Start price £6.99 and sold for £23.00 + p&p (9 bids from 5 bidders).