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Research Coins: Electronic Auction

 
362, Lot: 481. Estimate $100.
Sold for $130. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

INDIAN OCEAN, Uncertain. 16th-18th centuries. CU Larin Core (44mm, 5.06 g, 6h). Imitating a Silver Larin of the Safavid Abu'l-Muzaffar Isma'il I (1501-1524). Pseudo-Persian inscription stamped on either side of a copper bar resembling a hairpin. Cf. Album 2588 (for official silver issue); cf. MNI 2324-5 (for silver imitations). VF, brown patina. Rare.


Also known colloquially as "hairpin money", larins were intended for trade Indian Ocean trade, especially Sri Lanka (Ceylon). While some larins were struck in heavily debased silver, this particular example has been made of copper. With the pseudo-lettering stamped on either side, it is probably an imitation or a forgery that was intended to be silver plated in order to pass through circulation.