The Circulation of coins in the Anuradhapura Kingdom in Sri Lanka

Abstract

It is not certain as to when the use of coins was commenced in Sri Lanka. According to the literary sources and archaeological sources in Sri Lanka, it is obvious that there was a system of barter. It has been accepted that the traders from across the world, have always visited the island from time immemorial. According to Fa Hsian?s? record, the early inhabitants of the island, namely the Yakkha had left their goods on the sea shore with the prices, affixed with the goods, and the traders had come ashore where the relevant value was paid, prior the goods were bought. Fa Hsian?s account does not categorically state as to how money was paid and how the value of the goods relevant was marked. Perhaps it might speak of an era where money was not yet known, and it could perhaps by the barter system of trade. Since the Anuradhapura period in the internal and the external trade, the exchange of goods as well as that of the usage of coins had been practiced. The main medium of exchange in the internal trade was the kahavanu. The oldest coins found so far in Sri Lanka belong to the 3rd and the 4th century B.C. During the initial period of this century, it is reported that symbols such as arms, the human figures, animal motifs, the sun and so on had been used in the punch marked coins. These punch marked coins, on which the elephant and Swasthika had been manufactured, were found in Padaviya, Trincomalee, Seegiriya and Mahatitha from the 1st A.C. to 4th century A.C. The said coins were followed by Sri Lakshmi coins, and afterwards for the 2nd century A.C. to the 4th century A.C, the coins in which the loins and the buffalo motifs inscribed, had been used. After 1017 A.C, during the reign of the Chola kings, the copper coins had been taken in to the usage.