Sangam Chola Copper Square Coin – Elephant & Tiger Type, c. 200 BCE–200 CE

An ancient copper square unit attributed to the Sangam Cholas of early Tamilakam, approximately two thousand years old.

This coin belongs to the well-known Chola animal-emblem series. One side shows traces of an elephant, accompanied by associated auspicious symbols, while the opposite side carries the tiger, the traditional royal emblem of the Chola dynasty.

Sangam-period Chola coins were generally uninscribed and relied heavily on dynastic animals and symbolic devices. The tiger served as the principal Chola emblem, while elephants, umbrellas, Srivatsa symbols, standards and other motifs occur on different varieties. The Government Museum Chennai dates Sangam-period coinage broadly between 300 BCE and 300 CE.

Your specimen has an attractive dark ancient patina with some green copper deposits and considerable circulation wear. The major devices remain identifiable, giving the coin strong historical character despite the lower grade.

Dynasty: Sangam Chola
Region: Ancient Tamilakam / Tamil Nadu
Period: approximately 200 BCE–200 CE
Metal: Copper
Shape: Irregular square
Type: Elephant / Tiger type
Obverse: Elephant with traces of associated symbols
Reverse: Chola tiger emblem
Condition: Fine, worn but identifiable
Age: approximately 2,000 years