Sangam Chola: Copper units (2 coins); Tiger & Elephant type, 1-2 Century AD

[mitresh]

Sangam Chola, 1-2 Century AD, Obv: Tiger; Rev: Elephant & Horse



Sangam Chola, 1-2 Century AD, 1.7g, 14mm, Obv: Tiger; Rev: Elephant



Source: Wikipedia

Sangam Age is the period in the history of ancient southern India (known as the Tamilakam) spanning from c. 3rd century BC to c. 4th century AD. It is named after the famous Sangam academies of poets and scholars centred in the city of Madurai.

In Old Tamil language, the term Tamilakam referred to the whole of the ancient Tamil-speaking area, corresponding roughly to the area known as southern India today, consisting of the territories of the present-day Indian states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, parts of Andhra Pradesh, parts of Karnataka and northern Sri Lanka also known as Illam.

Approximately during the period between 350 BC to AD 200, Tamilakam was ruled by the three Tamil dynasties of Pandya, Chola and Chera, and a few independent chieftains, the Velir.

The dynastic emblems were Tiger (Chola), Fish (Pandya) and Bow-with-arrow (Chera).

[THCoins]

Don't know if this is due to wear, but these Southern ancients often seem to have a somewhat "softer" appearance thatn their Northern counterparts. Love the tiger on the first coin !

[Quant.Geek]

The "softer" appearance is mostly due to the fact that these coins are usually "fished" out of the river beds.  These river beds sometimes dries up during the summer months and hence makes it easy for people to find them.  Also, there is a large trade in fishing coins out of the river in several southern districts.  Local coin collectors pay these "fishermen" a few rupees to find a gem in the bed...

[THCoins]

Polishing in  a waterbed might indeed be an explanation. If so, unless it exceeds certain limits i think this type of ageing has a nice esthetical effect.