Ra ma ya ji? / Blank, no rims. 16mm, 1.44 grams. H.Wang "Money on the Silk Road", p.39, 298/48; Cf. Zeno 219321.

Originally, the Chinese archaeologists suggested that the inscription is in Kharoshti, but it is certainly wrong. The legend is in late Brahmi, but it is difficult to read since the aksharas are rotated and it is impossible to know how they are supposed to be viewed. The legend might be Raya Jima or Raya Maji (“King Jima/Maji”). Ramayaji is another possible reading. In Sanskrit means “Sacrifice to Rama”. This is a tentative reading (other readings, particularly of the akshara Ji and Ma are possible, depending on the angle they are viewed). This enigmatic type is currently being researched due to availability of the images of Zeno coins, and a publication is probably forthcoming. This might be a temple coin, made for ceremonial purposes, or a local issue of a local Chinese lord who professed Hinduism, even though the area was under Tang domination.

H. Wang in her book describes only two specimens, one from Aurel Stein’s collection (1.41 g, 16 mm), from Hotan region, another one unearthed in there in 1997 by Chinese archaeologists (0.6 g, 14 mm). Four more examples were published on Zeno. This coin is probably the best-preserved of the 7 known specimens.