Lot 656

AE VI stivers or ½ larin (66.47 g.; 126 x 15.84 x 6.30 mm). Colombo, ND (c. 1660-1720). The 6 stiver pieces were made as emergency coins from Japanese copper bars to compensate for the silver larins which were hoarded by the local people and caused for a temporary shortage of silver. The rate of the silver larin, at that time, was 12 stivers and the VI stivers therefore circulated for a ½ silver larin. The Japanese copper bars were struck on each end with the value VI / St within a leafy wreath. Neither lenght (which vary from aprox. 98 to 127 mm.) nor weight is constant. These emergency VI stivers are extremely rare and rarely offered for sale. XF. Ref.: Scho. 1288; Passon 53.4