File:Kong-Par Tangkas of Tibet - C100 15-24 - Scott Semans 04.jpg

PHOTO Y# DESCRIPTION PRICE

GADEN TANGKA :         Arguably Tibet's most significant coin, the "Y13" Ga-den Tankgka was produced from c. 1840 to c. 1930 at five mints / submints. There are, conservatively, 38 types, nearly all assignable by mint and date, divided amongst 8 discreet classes (A-H). Likely unintended sub-varieties occur from unskilled die repair, while gross errors such as repeated or off-rotation symbols, and experimental machine strikes account for additional types. Rarity of classes descends from H and A, to G, C, D, E, B, and F. Also called White Tangka for its relative purity, fineness is roughly 75% across classes. Oddly, cut (fractional) pieces are rare, and contemporary counterfeits are scarce.     The most important sources of variation are on the obverse: the design of the central Flower, the location and forms of the 8 Buddhist astamangala Symbols in Fleurettes - designated by their compass locations (N,NE,E,SE,S, etc.) - and the Dots or Waves between them. The order of the Symbols varies between classes A-B, and C-H. On reverse the N Fleurette is Ga, 3 characters vaguely resembling t92. Reverse variations occur in the form of the central Gem, the Spokes surrounding it, and the Dots and Waves between Fleurettes. Class A has a unique style and design, particularly in the central elements. Variations in the reverse Waves at N-NW, NE-E, and W-SW are significant in class B. Class H, and five scarce experimental issues in classes D - F are machine struck, while A-G are hand struck. In class F, presence or absence of dots beside the Flower respectively best distinguish Upper from Lower Dode mint products. The size / number of dots in the outer rings of both sides are useful in die studies, but too random to demarcate varieties.     References: R = Rhodes, N., ONS Information Sheet #17, 1/83 (Gaden Tangka), and #19, 8/78 (Tibetan Mints): the seminal work; YZM = Yin Zheng-min (Weng cheng-min), Zhong guo xi zang qian bi tu lu (Illustrated Catalog of the Money of China's Tibet), Lhasa, 2004, ISBN 7-223-01686-8: the most comprehensive work on Tibetan coins; VdH = Van den Hooff, René, The Tibetan Gaden tangka: a die study, 2015, ISBN 978-1-312-96402-0: expands upon Rhodes and presents a die study of Class F; SS = My old Info Sheet #11, still useful, but prices & some information out of date; KM = Standard Catalog of World Coins, where Y13 entries were created by Brian Hannon. GADEN CLASS B :     Dodpal Mint, c. 1880-94. Class: (vs. A): O: Water lines below Flower; R: 3-crescent Gem center; (vs. C-F): O: Order of Symbols (example: Lotus E). Rarity: ±23% of Gaden Tangkas are Class B.

13B2   Dodpal Mint, c. 1880s-94. Class B, Type: O: Dot to L of Central Flower; (Fish swim c/cw; SW made of lines & dots). R: Smooth Crescent links W & NW Fleurettes. Subvarieties mainly in Flower, NW, S, & SW & SE Symbols.   Y13B2 My choice subvariety (best grade); Y13.B2a NW: Base triangle;    Y13.B2b NW: Base square.     KM-Y#B13.2?, R-Bii, YZM277, SS-Y13B.2-.3 Each: VF-EF, or VF-EF/White    $12.00

13B3f   Dodpal Mint, c. mid-1890s. Class B, Type: R: Hooked Wave lines W & SW Fleurettes & Dot below Wave linking E & NE Fleurettes; O: (No dot to L of central Flower.) Subvarieties are distinctive and numerous but likely unintentional, arising from Wave hooks R or L; Fish swim cw or c/cw & variable W & S symbols, all in various combinations.   Type: NE: Fish c/w; R: Hook L     KM-Y#B13.3, R-Biii, YZM279-283, SSY13B.4 VF-EF white    $27.50

13B4a   Dodpal Mint, c. mid-1890s-96. Class B, Type: O: S has 2 "legs" to central Circle (vs. Dot); (Fish swims c/w); (No Dot to L of central Flower) plus R: (No hooked or dotted Waves link Fleurettes). Varieties mainly in S, SW, NW and especially W Symbols.   Variety: W has hooked head (commonest B variety)     KM-Y#B13.5, R-Biv, YZM286-88, SS-Y13B.5-.15 Each: VF-EF, or VF-EF/White    $12.00

13B4d   Dodpal Mint, c. mid-1890s-96. Class B, Type: O: S has 2 "legs" to central Circle (vs. Dot); (Fish swims c/w); (No Dot to L of central Flower) plus R: (No hooked or dotted Waves link Fleurettes). Subvarieties mainly in S, SW, NW and especially W Symbols.   Type: W has round head     KM-Y#B13.5, R-Biv, YZM278, 284-91, SS-Y13B.5-.15