Venad Anantasayanam Copper Coin – Padmanabha & Garuda Type, c. 1485–1545 AD Broken M65

Venad Anantasayanam Copper Coin – Padmanabha & Garuda Type, c. 1485–1545 AD (1.70gm)

A scarce Anantasayanam copper coin of Venad, belonging to the distinctive medieval coinage of southern Kerala.

The principal design represents Lord Vishnu as Anantha Padmanabha in the reclining posture, a motif closely associated with the religious traditions of the Venad region and the Padmanabhaswamy shrine at Thiruvananthapuram. The opposite side belongs to the running Garuda type, Garuda being the traditional vehicle of Vishnu.

This variety corresponds closely to the A3 family of Anantasayanam coins, where the larger denomination generally weighs around 1.5–2.1 grams. The type has been compared stylistically with contemporary Garuda designs used elsewhere in South India.

This specimen weighs 1.70 grams, placing it comfortably within the recorded weight range for the larger denomination.

Region: Venad / South Kerala
Coinage: Anantasayanam series
Period: c. late 15th–mid 16th century AD
Metal: Copper
Weight: 1.70 g
Type: Padmanabha / Running Garuda
Obverse: Lord Vishnu as Anantha Padmanabha, reclining
Reverse: Garuda running
Reference: Mears A3 type; related to Mitchiner 1195
Condition: Heavily circulated and damaged/broken, with partial designs surviving

Condition note: The coin has an old break/crack with a portion of the flan damaged. The photographs clearly show the actual condition of the specimen.