Description from HiBid
ICG India Vijayanagara Bele Coin $130
This authentic Vijayanagara Bele gold coin, issued during the height of the Vijayanagara Empire (circa 1336-1646 AD), represents a remarkable piece of numismatic history from Southern India. Certified by ICG as "Genuine," this tiny specimen is famously recognized as the "World's Smallest Gold Coin," often weighing a mere fraction of a gram and measuring only a few millimeters in diameter. Despite its diminutive size, the Bele was a functional denomination in a sophisticated monetary system that utilized high-purity gold for trade. This specific coin comes preserved in a protective ICG slab, ensuring its physical integrity and verifying its provenance as a legitimate artifact of the Sangama, Saluva, Tuluva, or Aravidu dynasties. Such coins typically feature intricate religious or royal motifs that are exceptionally rare to find in well-preserved condition given their scale, making this an essential acquisition for collectors of ancient Indian currency or miniature antiquities.
Condition: The item is professionally encapsulated and authenticated by Independent Coin Graders (ICG). The holder indicates a "Genuine" designation, which confirms authenticity without a specific numeric grade. The coin surface appears to have a natural gold luster with typical strike characteristics for a piece of this size and era.
Mint: The coin was produced under the authority of the Vijayanagara Empire in Southern India, though a specific municipal mint location is not identified on the label.
Metal Content: The coin is composed of gold.
Historical Context: This Bele was issued during the later period of the Vijayanagara Empire (roughly 1336–1646). These tiny denominations are part of one of the most significant Hindu empires in Southern India, known for a sophisticated monetary system that utilized high-purity gold for trade and commerce.
Strike Type: The coin is hand-struck using a hammer and die method, resulting in an irregular, globular shape characteristic of ancient and medieval Indian coinage.
Grading: The coin is graded as ICG Genuine.
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