Tibetan 5 Sho Silver Coins

Posted by slang on September 18, 2009

Tibet 5 Sho 1917 silver coin

The above is a TIBET 5 Sho 1917(tibetan calendar=BE15-51)  Silver coin. The obverse has the picture of a lion looking backwards with Tibetan writings and design on reverse.The edge is reeded. The coin is struck at Mekyi Mint. Weight varies from 7.40 to 9.80 grams with varieties existing.

We have the other years:

BE15-49- Year 1915 to BE15-60-Year 1926 and to BE16-1(Year 1927)

Ga-Den Tangka Hammered Coinage

Posted by slang on August 5, 2009

These silver coins are the Ga-Den Tangka Coinage which are hammered coins. Tibet is a well known Buddhist  country hence we see many buddhist and feng-shui auspicious symbols in a Ga-Den coin. In fact, the Ga-Den Tangka has been known to be the most common and most beautiful of all Tibetan silver coins.

General details:

A. On the obverse side, is a stylized LOTUS flow within a circle surrounded by the 8 Buddhist lucky symbols in radiating petals.

Meanings for Obverse side of Types C through H

1-Umbrella of sovereignty

2-Two golden fish of good fortune

3-Amphora of ambrosia

4-Lotus

5-Conch shell

6-Emblem of endless birth

7-Banner of victory

8-Wheel of empire

B. On the reverse side of this coin is an 8-petalled wheel(flower) within a star surrounded by a Tibetan inscription(reading Ga-den Place, victories in all directions) which is broken up into 8 oval frames.

C.  The Ga-Den Place is the former residence of the Dalai Lamas, located in Drepung Monastery near Lhasa.