TIBET 2059

1 Tangka
1 Sho (Zho Gang)
2 Sho (Zho Do)
5 Sho (Zho Inga)
1 Srang (Srang Gang)
1-1/2 Srang (Srang Gang Zho Inga)
3 Srang (Srang Sum)
5 Srang (in limited numbers; this coin was also struck in copper)
10 Srang (Srang Bcu)
Gold
20 Srang (Gser Tam)
TANGKA
NUMERALS
TIBETAN AUTHORITY
TIBETAN TANGKA COINAGE
The legend of this Tangka appears to be in ornamental
Lantsa (Ranjana)script and has yet to be deciphered. The
type is a copy of the Nepalese debased Tangka of Pratap
Simha. Struck unofficially by Nepalese traders in Tibet be-
tween 1880 and 1912, it was legal tender, due to an edict
issued in 1881 ordering that no distinction be made be-
tween false and genuine coins. The Tangka, C#27 was cut
in parts of 3, 4, and 5 petals to make change and the result-
ing fractions are occasionally encountered.
C# 27.1 RANJANA TANGKA
Silver Obv: Crescent and sun at top Note: Weight varies: 3.60-
5.40 grams. Diameter varies: 28.2-28.8mm. 2 varieties exist with
large or small circle around lotus. Varieties of ornamentation as
well as style of inscription exist. Prev. #C27.
C# 27.2 RANJANA TANGKA
4.5000 g., Silver Obv: Crescent and swastika at top Note: See
note for C#27.1.
GA-DEN TANGKA COINAGE
Hammered
The Ga-den Tangkas are among the most common and
perhaps most beautiful of all Tibetan silver coins. The obverse
shows a stylized Lotus flower within a circle surrounded by the
8 Buddhist lucky symbols in radiating petals. The reverse
shows an 8-petalled wheel (flower) within a star surrounded by
a Tibetan inscription (reading Ga-den Palace, victorious in all
directions), which is broken up into 8 oval frames. The Ga-den
Palace is the former residence of the Dala Lamas, located in
Drepung Monastery near Lhasa. On Tibetan coins the name
"Ga-den Palace" is used as epithet for "Ti-
betan Government". Compass directions indicate the lo-
cation of the Buddhist emblems.
Date Mintage Good VG F VF XF
BE15-40 (1906) 8.00 15.00 25.00 40.00 70.00
Note: In addition to the meaningful dates, the following
meaningless ones exist: 13-16, 13-31, 13-92, 15-40,
16-16, 16-61, 16-64, 16-69, 16-92, 16-93, 92-34, 92-
39, 96-61 (sixes may be reversed threes and nines
reversed ones).
Date Mintage Good VG F VF XF
BE15-46 (1912) 60.00 80.00 100 150 225
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.
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2060 TIBET
Y# E13.1 TANGKA
Silver Obv: Dot to left and right of lotus Edge: Plain Note: Weight
varies: 4.60-4.80 grams. Prev. Y#13.4.
Y# E13.2 TANGKA
Silver Obv: Dot to left and right of lotus Edge: Plain
Y# E13.3 TANGKA
Silver Obv: Four dots (NE), one dot (E) Edge: Plain Note: Weight
varies: 3.80-5.70 grams. Similar to Y#E13.1 but obverse
emblems rotated by one position clockwise (error).
Y# E13.4 TANGKA
3.8000 g., Silver Obv: 7.5-8.0mm lotus circle, no dot at left and
right of lotus Edge: Plain Note: Prev. Y#E13.8 (Y#13.5).
Y# F13.1 TANGKA
Billon Obv: Nine dots within lotus circle Rev: Flower buds full
or outlined Edge: Plain Note: Six varieties exist. Weight varies:
4.10-4.70 grams. Prev. Y#13.6.
Y# F13.2 TANGKA
Billon Obv: Northwest symbol circle with dots; no dot at left and
right of lotus; lotus circle varies 10-12mm Rev: Central lotus buds
hollow Edge: Plain Note: Weight varies: 4.10-4.70. Four varieties
exist.
Y# F13.3 TANGKA
Billon Obv: 11mm lotus circle Rev: Solid lotus buds Edge: Plain
Note: Machine struck. Similar to Y#F13.2 and 2 Tangka, Y#15.
Weight varies: 5.20-5.60 grams.
Y# F13.6 TANGKA
Billon, 27 mm. Obv: Dots to left and right of base of lotus in the
water line; northwest symbol a circle with dots; northeast symbol
two fish with dots; south symbol very ornate with two side hooks
and a dot Edge: Plain Note: Weight varies: 4.10-4.70 grams.
Y# F13.5 TANGKA
Billon Obv: Dot to left and right of lotus; northeast symbol double
hook between two fish and dots; northwest symbol circle with two
hooks, dots south symbol has three dots Edge: Plain Note:
Weight varies: 4.10-4.70 grams. Varieties exist including 34-78
dots for outer circle. Prev. Y#13.8.
Y# F13.4 TANGKA
Billon Obv: Dot to left and right of lotus; northeast symbol two
fish with dots; south symbol with 3 dots; northwest symbol circle
with 4 dots around center dot Edge: Plain Note: Weight varies:
4.10-4.70 grams. Varieties exist including 34-78 dots for outer
circles. Prev. Y#13.7.
Y# F13.7 TANGKA
Billon, 31 mm. Edge: Plain Note: Similar to Y#F13.6.
Y# G13 TANGKA
Billon Rev: No outer angles at inner circle Edge: Plain Note:
Weight varies: 3.30-4.60 grams. Prev. Y#13.9.
Y# H13.1 TANGKA
Billon Obv: Dot between symbols at inner circle, lotus petals
joined Rev: Dot between characters at inner circle Edge: Plain
Note: Weight varies: 4.00-4.20 grams. Two minor die varieties
exist. Prev. Y#13.10.
Y# H13.2 TANGKA
Billon Obv: Similar to Y#H13.1 Rev: Similar to Y#H13.1 but
Northeast character in retrograde Edge: Plain Note: Weight
varies: 4.00-4.20 grams. Machine struck.
Reverse - All Types
Based on the ornamentation in the outer angles between the
petals on both sides of the coin, the Ga-Den Tangkas can be dif-
ferentiated in the following 8 types, A-H.
Within these types, changes in the order, design, and
style of the 8 lucky signs or significant errors constitute sub-
types. The sutypes appearing in this catalog are not the
only ones. Some subtypes show a wide range of styles and
die varieties. Weights given include 95 percent of the indi-
cated types.
Error strikes with muled reverses exist. Specimens of
Types D, E, and F with lumps are known, reportedly con-
taining gold, probably used by high lamas in their offerings.
Obverse has wavy water line in outer angles. New style lotus
without three small leaves to left and right. Reverse has three dots
in outer angles, wheel with spokes.
Obverse Reverse
Date Mintage VG F VF XF Unc
ND(ca.1899-1907) 3.00 4.00 7.00 12.00 35.00
Date Mintage Good VG F VF XF
ND(ca.1899-1907) 150 250 400 600 1,000
Date Mintage Good VG F VF XF
ND(ca.1899-1907) 75.00 100 150 200 300
Date Mintage VG F VF XF Unc
ND(ca.1904) 60.00 85.00 120 180 250
Date Mintage VG F VF XF Unc
ND(ca.1907-09) 4.00 6.00 10.00 16.00 40.00
Date Mintage Good VG F VF XF
ND(1910-15) 6.00 9.00 15.00 25.00 45.00
Date Mintage Good VG F VF XF
ND(ca.1912) 100 150 200 275 500
Obverse has one dot in
outer angles. The
reverse has three dots
in outer angles.
Obverse Reverse
Date Mintage Good VG F VF XF
ND(ca.1909) 8.00 12.00 18.00 30.00 50.00
Date Mintage Good VG F VF XF
ND(1912-22) 8.00 12.00 20.00 32.00 60.00
Date Mintage VG F VF XF Unc
ND(ca.1912-22) 8.00 12.00 20.00 32.00 60.00
Date Mintage Good VG F VF XF
ND(ca.1924-25) Rare 8.00 12.00 20.00 32.00 60.00
Date Mintage VG F VF XF Unc
ND(ca.1921) 4.00 6.00 9.00 15.00 45.00
Date Mintage VG F VF XF Unc
ND(1929) 10.00 14.00 20.00 30.00 50.00
Date Mintage VG F VF XF Unc
ND(ca.1929-30) 60.00 90.00 120 150
The obverse and reverse
have no outer angle
symbols. The petals are
joined on the obverse.
Obverse Reverse
Obverse Reverse
The obverse and reverse
have one dot in outer
angles. The obverse
petals are joined.
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TIBET 2061
Y# 15 2 TANGKA
Billon Note: Weight varies: 7.80-10.50 grams. Varieties exist.
PRESENTATION TANGKA COINAGE
Y# 14 TANGKA
Silver Obv: Fifteen obverse varieties exist with combinations of
none or up to two dots inside trapezoids enclosing the legend
Rev: 2 crescents in center point clock or counter-clockwise Edge:
Plain Note: Weight varies: 2.70-5.00 grams. Struck for
presentation to monks.
Y# 31 TANGKA
0.9000 Silver Edge: Reeded Note: Weight varies: 3.10-5.30
grams. Varieties exist, the two commas in central circle are in
either vertical or horizontal alignment.
SHO-SRANG COINAGE
Y# A7 1/8 SHO
4.0000 g., Copper, 22 mm. Ruler: Hsan-t'ung Note: Two
reverse varieties exist, one with a dot between the upper two
syllables of the legend, the other is without a dot.
Y# B7 1/4 SHO
Copper, 26 mm. Ruler: Hsan-t'ung
Y# 10 2-1/2 SKAR
Copper, 22 mm. Obv: Lion standing left, looking backwards
Edge: Plain Note: Lion varieties exist as do counterfeits.
Y# 16.1 2-1/2 SKAR
Copper Obv: Lion crouching and looking upwards Edge: Plain
Note: Weight varies: 3.70-6.00 grams. Varieties and overstrikes
exist.
Y# 16.2 2-1/2 SKAR
Copper Obv: Lion standing left looking backwards with and
without rays from sun Edge: Plain Note: Weight varies: 3.70-
6.00 grams. Varieties exist, one with retrograde u-sign on reverse
top in the word gsum (three)(error); the other variety has the
letter corrected. With and without rays from sun.
Y# 16.3 2-1/2 SKAR
Copper Obv: Lion crouching looking back
Y# A19 2-1/2 SKAR
Copper Obv: Lion standing left, looking back and upwards Note:
Forgeries exist.
Y# A10 5 SKAR
Copper, 25 mm. Obv: Lion standing left, looking back and
upwards Edge: Plain Note: Counterfeits exist.
Y# 17 5 SKAR
Copper Obv: Lion standing left and looking upward Edge: Plain
Note: Overstrikes exist.
Y# 17.1 5 SKAR
Copper Obv: Lion standing left, looking back Edge: Plain Note:
Size of obverse circle and weight of coin vary considerably.
Inscription varieties exist plus in dots.
Y# 17.2 5 SKAR
Copper Obv: Lion standing left looking back and upwards Edge:
Plain
Y# 17.3 5 SKAR
Copper Obv: Lion standing left looking back and sideways Rev:
Flower with eight petals rather than wheel with eight spokes
Edge: Plain
Y# 19 5 SKAR
2.8000 g., Copper, 20.7 mm. Obv: Lion standing left Edge:
Reeded Note: Varieties exist.
Date Mintage VG F VF XF Unc
ND(ca.1912) 125 200 400 500
Date Mintage VG F VF XF Unc
ND(1910) 600,000 10.00 15.00 25.00 50.00 60.00
Note: Cut pieces in 4 and 5 petals exist but are considered
dubious since cut pieces usually were done in the 19th
century before Y14 was struck
Date Mintage VG F VF XF Unc
ND(1953) 331,292 7.00 10.00 15.00 22.00 40.00
Note: Struck for presentation to Monks; Circulated later but
briefly with value of 5 and then 10 Srang
Date Mintage Good VG F VF XF
CD1(1901) (1909) 85.00 150 225 350
Note: A silver striking of this type exists (rare), probably a
pattern
Date Mintage Good VG F VF XF
CD1(1909) 50.00 100 150 250
Note: This coin struck in silver is a forgery; Modern forgeries
struck in copper and copper-nickel exist.
Date Mintage Good VG F VF XF
BE15-43 (1909) 150 250 350 500
Date Mintage Good VG F VF XF
BE15-47 (1913) 5.00 12.00 20.00 50.00
BE15-48 (1914) 5.00 12.00 20.00 50.00
BE15-49 (1915) 15.00 30.00 60.00 120
BE15-50 (1916) 8.00 16.00 30.00 70.00
BE15-51 (1917) 30.00 60.00 120 240
BE15-52 (1918) 6.50 14.00 25.00 60.00
Date Mintage Good VG F VF XF
BE15-48 (1914) 8.00 16.00 30.00 70.00
Date Mintage Good VG F VF XF
BE15-48(1914) 10.00 15.00 35.00 60.00
Date Mintage Good VG F VF XF
BE15-52 (1918) 50.00 85.00 110 150
BE15-53 (1919) 50.00 90.00 120 165
BE15-55 (1921) 100 150 200 250
Date Mintage Good VG F VF XF
BE15-43 (1909) 150 250 350 500
Date Mintage Good VG F VF XF
BE15-47 (1913) 6.00 10.00 25.00 55.00
BE15-48 (1914) 4.00 7.00 15.00 35.00
BE15-49 (1915) 5.00 8.00 18.00 40.00
BE15-50 (1916) 5.00 8.00 18.00 40.00
BE15-51 (1917) 3.50 6.00 12.00 30.00
BE15-52 (1918) 25.00 55.00 120 250
Date Mintage Good VG F VF XF
BE15-48 (1914) 4.00 7.00 15.00 32.00
BE15-48 (1915) 4.00 7.00 15.00 32.00
Note: Inscription varieties exist.
BE15-49 (1915) 4.00 7.00 15.00 32.00
Note: Obverse varieties (lion) exist
BE15-50 (1916) 4.00 7.00 15.00 32.00
BE15-51 (1917) 4.00 7.00 15.00 32.00
BE15-52 (1918) 5.00 8.00 18.00 40.00
Date Mintage Good VG F VF XF
BE15-48 (1914) 5.00 9.00 20.00 45.00
Note: 2-line varieties exist of 15-48.
BE15-49 (1915) 8.00 14.00 35.00 70.00
Date Mintage Good VG F VF XF
BE15-48 (1914) 6.00 10.00 25.00 55.00
Date Mintage Good VG F VF XF
BE15-52 (1918) 2.25 3.50 6.00 12.00
BE15-53 (1919) 2.00 3.00 5.50 11.00
BE15-54 (1920) 1.50 2.50 5.00 10.00
Note: 2 varieties of 4 in 54 exist
BE15-55 (1921) 5.00 10.00 20.00 40.00
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