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Shan State - 1/4 Tical Rebel coinage
| Issuer | Shan State Army |
|---|---|
| Year | 1981 |
| Type | Log in to see details |
| Value | Log in to see details |
| Currency | Log in to see details |
| Composition | Log in to see details |
| Weight | Log in to see details |
| Diameter | Log in to see details |
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| Engraver(s) | Log in to see details |
| In circulation to | Log in to see details |
| Reference(s) | X#2 |
| Obverse description | Crudely rendered stylized design occupying the entire field, depicting a coiled or intertwined serpentine or dragon-like creature with scaled body texture, executed in low relief in a primitive hand-struck manner. A central circular motif is visible at the heart of the composition, surrounded by interlocking curved lines suggestive of a territorial or geographic outline. The border is formed by a continuous band of scale-like or crescent punched decoration. No legend or inscription appears on this face. |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Log in to see details |
| Obverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Reverse description | Log in to see details |
| Reverse script | Latin |
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| Additional information |
The Shan State Army, fighting for independence from the Burmese central government since the early 1960s, funded its insurgency partly through control of the Golden Triangle opium trade. This 1981 issue is one of several denominations struck in gold by the SSA — a rebel force issuing its own coinage is unusual by any measure, but the SSA had sufficient territory and resources in the early 1980s to make the gesture credible. Whether these circulated as currency or served primarily as a financial instrument among commanders and financiers remains an open question among specialists.