Very stylized images of Lion / Boar. 8mm, 0.36 grams. Unknown mint (possibly Padmahabhapuram) in the extreme South India or in Sri Lanka. Hans Harrli "Gold Fanams" #1.16.08. SKU x2349-w34846
These Vira Raya type fanams are found generally in the extreme South India and in Sri Lanka. The location of the mint where these were struck is unknown - it is sometimes assumed they were struck in Padmanabhapuram or elsewhere in Southern Venad, and imported to Sri Lanka through trade. This particular type was a prototype for the silver fanams of the Rajas of Kandy in the 1500's, and this gold fanam was possibly struck by them.