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50 Taels Goddess Mahakala

Issuer Tibet (China)
Year 1871
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Diameter 50 mm
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Obverse description Two confronting dragons in high relief flank a central vertical panel bearing a six-character Chinese legend denoting the Tongzhi reign year, arranged within a decorative cartouche. A stylized solar orb appears at the apex between the dragons' heads, with auspicious cloud and star motifs filling the field on either side. The Latin legend EMPIRE OF CHINA arcs along the upper periphery, with the denomination 50 at lower left and TAELat lower right flanking the Chinese value inscription 金兩拾五值 along the lower border. The entire design is contained within a finely milled outer border.
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Obverse lettering EMPIRE OF CHINA






金兩拾五值
Reverse description The multi-armed Tantric deity Mahakala is depicted seated in a frontal meditative posture upon a fully bloomed lotus throne at the center of the field, rendered in high relief with numerous outstretched arms radiating symmetrically and holding various ritual attributes. The goddess is encircled by a raised inner ring of engine-turned ground, beyond which two sinuous dragons in bold relief wind around the intermediate border, their bodies framing the central medallion on left and right. An elaborate outer border of repeated rectangular cartouches, possibly containing Tibetan or decorative script elements, forms the outermost decorative band, separated from the inner design by a ring of fine beading. The overall composition reflects a fusion of Sino-Tibetan iconographic traditions executed in a Western milled coinage style.
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