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Research Coins: Electronic Auction

 
388, Lot: 655. Estimate $100.
Sold for $60. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

MALAY ARCHIPELAGO, Islamic Sultanates. Perak. Circa 18th century. Tin Ingot (75m wide by 61mm tall, 35.00 g). In the shape of a horse with conical base. SS –. VF, bent base, broken groundline, piercing on saddle.


These intriguing animal-shaped ingots served multiple purposes in Malaysian society. Tin, being considered a semi-precious metal in the area, was broadly used for currency and coinage, indicating that these objects functioned at least in part as a form of wealth-storage. But there was also a great magical significance to them. Saran Singh writes, “Traditionally the first ore obtained from a newly opened tin mine was smelted and cast into a pair of shell backed ingots, each of which bore a ‘mantra’ or magic prayer in relief on its rounded surface... Over the years the shell-backed ingot acquired a head and front legs which gave it the superficial appearance of a tortoise. Gradually other animals and insects were added and these sacrificial substitutes became an important part of many magical ceremonies.” (SS p. 174)