Vijaynagar Empire, Krishnadevaraya, Gold Dodda Honnu or Double Pagoda, 7.80g, Obv: Four-armed Lord Venkateshwara of Tirupati standing under Makara Thoranam (ornamental archway) is a decorative arch frame that surrounds the idol of the deity. The frame consists of two pedestals and an arch. The Makara, a guardian figure, is placed on the two pedestals to protect the idol. At the top of the arch is a Keerti-mukha figurine, a typical architectural element. Kneeling Narasimha decorates the pedestal bases. God wearing tapering crown (Karanda-mukuta), Crocodile shaped ear-ornaments (Makara-kundalas), Bhuja-keerthi (arm ornaments), anklets, a medallion, necklaces, and other jewelled attributes shown by a flowing array of dots and lines. He holds Shankha and Chakra in his upper hands, and makes the gesture of benevolence (Varada-mudra), and kati hasta mudra symbolizing the dispensing of boons and the protection with lower right hand, Rev: Devanagari legend in three lines “Sri / Krishna Rā / ya” within a double circular border (Mitch# 1088). Uncirculated, exceedingly rare.
This extremely rare and important coin is perhaps one of the 30000 coins specially struck by Krishnadeva Raya in 1516, to perform a Kanakabhishekam (“Shower of Gold”) ceremony at the Tirupati temple, to thank the Lord for his victory over the Kondavidu and Gajapati dynasties of neighbouring Andhra-Orissa country. It shows a truly splendorous depiction of Venkateshwara, in all its jewelled glory on obverse. As compared with it the simplicity of the reverse stands out as a testimony to the King's devotion and subservience to the Lord. A numismatic masterpiece! In England, the gold ryals (rose-nobles) with a 120-grain standard were introduced in 1465 AD, which is equivalent to 7.8 gm. In May 1522, an official proclamation recognized the circulation of foreign gold in England and fixed the values of certain coins. During Krishnadeva Raya's reign, the 120-grain gold ryals were in use as English currency. This may explain the rationale behind the Gold Honnu weight of 7.8gm A small stash of Vijayanagar Gold coins was discovered in May 2024 near Hospet, about 14 km from Hampi, the capital of the Vijayanagar Empire. The hoard featured just a few ‘Dodda Honnu’, no more than can be counted on one's fingers, and about 150 Pratapa and Varaha gold coins issued by Krishnadeva Raya and his successor, Achyutaraya. Most of the Varaha and Pratapa coins were poorly made, with less than 10% being in collectible condition. Golden chance to acquire for collectors.