One hundred and three punch-marked gold coins dated to Vijayanagara era were found in a earthen pot when a group of workers dug up a trench at the sanctum sanctorum of the Later Chola-era built Shiva temple in Kovilur hamlet, around 10 kms from Jamunamarathur village atop Jawadhu Hills in Tiruvannamalai.

Officials of HR&CE, which was involved in restoration of the ancient temple at a cost of ₹ 2.5 crore, said that a group of workers were digging a trench in the sanctum sanctorum when they hit a small pot. They found a bunch of gold coins in different sizes and shapes. Immediately, they informed revenue officials and police, who rushed to the spot. ”Based on an alert from workers, we collected gold coins from the temple premises. Archeologists from Tamil Nadu State Archaeology Department (TNSAD) will assess its heritage value before coins are handed over to the district treasury,” S. Durai, Tasildar (Jamunamarathur), told The Hindu. 

Revenue officials also apprised about the discovery of coins to Collector K. Tharpagaraj, who is the custodian of district treasury as per Indian Treasure Trove Act, 1878. Mr. Tharpagaraj has directed district curator S. Baskar to assess the discovered coins and submit a report to him. 

Archeologists said that coins of various metals including gold, silver, and copper were made during the historical period for two reasons. Coins were given as offerings to God and buried under the sanctum sanctorum of a temple with a belief that such an act will bring prosperity to the region. Secondly, coins were minted mainly as a mode of payment for trade. “Traditionally, gold coins are minted mainly as offerings to god. Copper and other metal coins are used for trade due to their durability. Such coins (copper) are also widely circulated because they cannot be melted like gold coins,” said K. Sridharan, retired Deputy Director, TNSAD. 

Archeologists said that gold coins, on an average, will be around five milimetres in size. The coins could be 600 years old during the Vijayanagara era. Gold coins found in the temple have the emblem of a pig, an animal depicted by Vijayanagara rulers in various engravings. Such offering of gold coins to temples was done during that period because a large number of temples were built under Krishnadevaraya of Vijayanagara empire as part of reviving temple architecture in the region. Coins made during this period will be circular in shape whereas coins in Sangam age are square-shaped.

Revenue officials said that the Collector can direct treasury officials to handover coins to the district museum curator to display it for the public to learn its rich heritage.