Cambodia, 1950-2000 AD., probably modern tourist fake, 1/2 Unit Lotus Token.
Cambodia, probably modern tourist fake with deliberately enhanced size, ca. 1950-2000 AD.,
1/2 Unit Lotus Token (ø 34-35 mm / 23,46 g), white metal alloy, metal does not show significant age, drilled center hole, scalloped shape, poorly cast. Design devolved to lumps and lines.
Obv.: poorly defined scalloped edge with inner borders forming five cartouches; central hole with double border. Lotus bud with enclosing forked branches either side.
Rev.: poorly defined scalloped edge with inner borders forming five cartouches; central hole with double border. Lotus bud with enclosing forked branches either side.
cf. T102g on htt p://www.coincoin.com/seCB.htm ; http://www.coincoin.com/CBT102ag.jpg .
The 'Lotus Flower' coinage was certainly just a floral design, some newer research designate them as tokens (possible gambling tokens) originating rather around the fall of Angkor( ie the mid 1400s - which still fits into this forum). But they also state that those token were used for small local transactions, ie giving them monetary characteristic.