CHENNAI: Three govt school girl students have found a 1,000-year-old Elam coin, engraved with the name of Rajaraja Chola (985-1012 AD), while playing near their homes in Ramanathapuram district in Tamil Nadu.
Class VIII students K Manimegalai, S Dhivyadharshini and S Kanishkasri are members of the heritage club at the Suresh Sudha Azhaghan Memorial Govt Higher Secondary School.They have learnt to identify ancient coins, potsherds and read estampage of stone inscriptions as part of the club activities.
A week ago, they were digging a pit near their homes while playing. They found the coin in the pit they dug.
V Rajaguru, the secretary of the heritage club and president of the Ramanathapuram Archaeological Research Foundation, said he visited the spot indicated by the students and found a Chinese porcelain, potsherds, iron ore and red potsherds there.
On one side of the coin, a man is seen standing with a flower in his hand. On his left, there are four circles. There is a crescent above him. On the right is a trident and a lamp.
On the other side of the coin, a man is seen seated with a conch in his hand. The name “Srirajaraja” is engraved in Devanagari script near his left hand in three lines. The edges of the coin are worn out.
Rajaguru said Elam coins were issued in gold, silver, and copper to commemorate the conquest of Sri Lanka by Rajaraja Chola I. The one the girls found is a copper coin.
Elam coins have been found in coastal areas of Ramanathapuram district like Periyapattinam, Thondi, Kalimankundu and Alagankulam.
These coins were issued for use in Sri Lanka and were in circulation in countries where the Cholas ruled.
Headmaster G Mahendran Kannan and teachers appreciated the students for finding the ancient coin.
Earlier, the students from the same school had found Elam coins in Panchanthangi, Thathanendal and Koraikuttam around Thirupullani.