Previously Unpublished

Triton XIX, Lot: 2577. Estimate $500. Sold for $4000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

MALAY ARCHIPELAGO, Islamic Sultanates. Raja Bendaharas of Pahang. Tun Ahmad. AH 1280-1301 / AD 1863-1884. AV ‘Tampang’ (27x27mm, 16.57 g). Cast circa 1878. Conical pyramid with flared base; floral decoration around base. Cf. SS 22 (for basic type in tin); cf. Mitchiner, Non-Islamic 3122 (same). Good VF, casting flaws.

From the collection of Dr. Lawrence A. Adams, purchased May 1972.

Though there are no references to any gold tampangs, J. van der Chijs (Catalogus der numismatische verzameling van het Bataviaasch Genootschap van kunsten en wetenschappen. Batavia. 1896, p. 152) does note two silver tampangs, to which he gives a contemporary value of two reales and one real, respectively. Saran Singh also notes these same two pieces, speculating that they were private presentation pieces for the royal family, but can find no examples to confirm. In any case, it is extremely doubtful that these rare precious metal issues played any regular role in the currency system.