Lot 78
78
The "Suchakra Vijaya" Tangka (5.21g), probably struck by the Regent, the Demo Tulku, in 1763-4, (C.15, but wrongly dated in K&M), nearly extremely fine, perhaps the finest known, very rare
THE EARLIEST COINS STRUCK BY THE TIBETANS
The "Suchakra Vijaya" Tangka (5.21g), probably struck by the Regent, the Demo Tulku, in 1763-4, (C.15, but wrongly dated in K&M), nearly extremely fine, perhaps the finest known, very rare

Details
The "Suchakra Vijaya" Tangka (5.21g), probably struck by the Regent, the Demo Tulku, in 1763-4, (C.15, but wrongly dated in K&M), nearly extremely fine, perhaps the finest known, very rare
Further details
This remarkable piece is the only Tibetan coin that uses the Phags-pa or Seal script, and has the same type on both sides. The legend reads "Suchakra Vijaya", in Sanskrit, meaning "The noble wheel (of the Dharma), victorious". It was struck from a debased alloy, similar to that used in the Nepalese coins that were circulating widely in Tibet at the time. Presumably the Regent decided to strike these coins as a result of public demand, because the supply of new Nepalese coins had been stopped in about 1750. The coin is normally found in worn condition, and this is one of the finest examples in existence.