File:Cambodian Lotus Tokens - Scott Semans 06.jpg

English: CAMBODIAN LOTUS TOKENS

      This series has been attributed to Ayutthia and to Angkor (Mitchiner), but M&K's idea of post-Angkor Cambodia is more realistic. The metal, lack of consistent weight, and alternation of shape among the denominations suggests to me that they are tokens, probably for gambling, though this does not predlude a wider use as money. Specimens often show metal ageing, but most show little wear. Obverse and reverse disigns are the same. My assignment of the value ratios is pure guesswork. Photos show typical examples.

     T100a      Unit     Round, 42mm, 29.03gm (1). Obv & Rev: Four Lotus with branches either side separated by double pellets. Outer rim & circle; Drilled center hole with 2 circles, obv. only. Fine style. Metal shows considerable age. 
     T100b      Unit     Round, 38-39mm, 17.30-32.93gm, avg. 26.16 (11). Cast center hole, inner rings both sides. Good style. Metal shows significant age. MN2654    VF-EF but crusty ; 
     T100c      Unit     Round, 37-40mm, 19.06-22.98gm, avg 20.75 (5). Generally cruder style. Metal shows significant age. Possibly contemporary copies of T100b 
     T100d      Unit     Round, 37mm, 22.34-30.40gm, avg. 26.56 (7). Crude style. Metal shows some age, but clearly not older than 19th C. 
     T100e      Unit     Round, 36mm, 17.36gm. Poor style and casting. A contemporary fake. 
     T100f      Unit     Round, 33mm, 16.48-20.09gm, avg. 18.62 (3). Design has devolved to a series of five beaded crescents surrounding pellets. 
     T100g      Unit     Round, 57mm, 69.47-86.76gm, avg. 76.66 (5). Degenerated design. Metal shows little age. Likely a modern "bigger is better" fake for collectors or tourists. MN2653 
     T102b      1/2 Unit     Scalloped, 29-32mm, 11.72-18.32gm, avg. 14.54 (14). Well defined scalloped edge with inner borders forming five cartouches; Central hole with double border. Lotus bud with enclosing forked branches either side. Wide variation in size and form of buds and branches. Generally good style. Metal shows significant age. 
     T102c      1/2 Unit     Scalloped, 29-30mm, 10.96-18.14gm, avg. 13.89 (11). Poorly defined scalloped edge. Otherwise as T102b. Wide variation in size and form of buds and branches. Generally good style. Metal shows significant age. MN2655 - 2657 
     T102d      1/2 Unit     Scalloped, Softer pieces with higher lead content. Generally good style. Metal shows significant age. 
     T102e      1/2 Unit     Scalloped, 30mm, 15.45-16.19gm (3) Drilled center holes. Metal does not show significant age. 
     T102f      1/2 Unit     Scalloped, 29mm, 13.79-16.17gm, avg. 15.119 (10). Well defined scalloped edge. Identical pieces, poorly cast, sometimes showing mould slippage or filled holes. Metal shows some age, but likely late 20th C. 
     T102g      1/2 Unit     Scalloped, 36mm, gm, avg. (9). Poorly defined scalloped edge. Similar pieces, poorly cast. Design devolved to lumps and lines. Probably moern forgeries with deliberately enhanced size. 
     T104a      1/8 Unit     Round, 17mm, 4.18gm Center hole, outer and inner rims. Four lotus heads with curled branches at side. Metal shows some age. 
     T104b      1/8 Unit     Round, 15-17mm, 3.81, 3.78, 3.56, 2.88gm, Different pieces still showing floral design. Metal shows some age. MN2662 
     T104c      1/8 Unit     Round, 16-17mm, 2.11 - 4.20gm, avg. 3.29 (8). Pellets & Crescents design. Slipped moulds on some. MN2658-59 
     T104d      1/8 Unit     Round, 15mm, 1.95 - 2.99gm, avg. 2.73 (16). Pellets & Crescents design with little variation within group. Metal slightly softer (more lead) than other classes, shows some age. MN2660-61 
     T104e      1/8 Unit     Round, 14-14.5mm, 3.03 - 4.42gm, avg. 3.51 (8). Pellets & Crescents design with little variation within group. No center hold. Metal shows some age, but likely 20th C. 
     T104L      1/8 Unit     Lot of six, mixed varieties, all worn,cracked or heavily encrusted 

     T106      1/16 Unit     Scalloped, 11.5 - 14.5mm, .91-2.10gm, avg. 1.51 (5). Center hole, outer and inner rims. Four groups of two pellets in scallops. Scarcest denomination.