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Flower Tok - Shan Tribes
| Issuer | Shan Tribes |
|---|---|
| Year | 1800-1900 |
| Type | Log in to see details |
| Value | Log in to see details |
| Currency | Log in to see details |
| Composition | Log in to see details |
| Weight | Log in to see details |
| Diameter | Log in to see details |
| Thickness | Log in to see details |
| Shape | Log in to see details |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Orientation | Log in to see details |
| Engraver(s) | Log in to see details |
| In circulation to | Log in to see details |
| Reference(s) | Log in to see details |
| Obverse description | Anepigraphic and non-pictorial. The obverse presents a plain, irregularly shaped silver flan with a rough, uneven surface characteristic of primitive hammered coinage. A centrally positioned, roughly rectangular suspension hole pierces the upper portion of the flan. The field exhibits an unworked, lumpy texture with no engraved devices, legends, or decorative motifs of any kind. |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Log in to see details |
| Obverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Reverse description | Log in to see details |
| Reverse script | Log in to see details |
| Reverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Edge | Log in to see details |
| Mint | Log in to see details |
| Mintage | ND (1800-1900) - 1 Tok (~13.2 g) ND (1800-1900) - 1/2 Tok (~7.7 g) ND (1800-1900) - 1/4 Tok (~3.8 g) ND (1800-1900) - 1/8 Tok (~1.9 g) |
| Additional information |
The Flower Tok is one of several ceremonial silver currency forms produced by Shan communities in mainland Southeast Asia, used in bride-price transactions and ritual exchange rather than daily commerce. Exact dating within the nineteenth century is rarely possible; most examples reached Western collections through the Burmese antique trade after British annexation of Upper Burma in 1885 opened the region to outside dealers.
Silver content varies considerably between pieces, reflecting local smelting rather than any centralized mint standard.