★ Small module imitation of Rome ★

South India/Sri Lanka, c. 4th century, Imitation of Roman AE3. 0.90g, 14mm.
Obv: Bust right
Rev: Similar to Constantinian GLORIA EXERCITVS soldiers with standards reverse, but one soldier with single standard(?)
Ex Stephen Album.
Rare.
The low weight and smaller module of this specimen suggest a half-unit denomination.

Supply and demand have recently made prices on these Indian imitations rise quite dramatically. This auction contains the last of a small group we obtained from Steve Album. (Most are included in the Roman Imperial section.)

This coin was found in the Tamil Nadu state in south India, and is evidence of the trade ties that existed between the Roman Empire and the Tamil people under the mysterious Buddhist/Jain Kalabhra dynasty. The trade route went through the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and the Arabian Sea, taking advantage of the Monsoon winds.