The winning man continued to dig a jar of coins

The 66-year-old man was lucky to discover a jar containing thousands of coins, some 100 years old, on the land bought with lottery money.

B Rathnakaran Pillai was lucky to dig a pot of coins after winning the lottery.(Photo: News Minute).

When lucky to win the lottery more than $ 840,000 last year, B Rathnakaran Pillai decided to use part of the money to buy vegetable land near an ancient temple in Kilimanoor, Thiruvananthapuram city, Kerala state, India.

On the morning of 3/12, when cultivating cassava, Pillai's shovel suddenly hit hard objects. He was surprised to dig up an earthenware jar containing thousands of ancient coins and immediately called the local police. They checked with the experts from the Kerala State Archaeological Service, then returned the coins to the local authorities.

The jar contains 2,595 coins, weighing a total of 20.4 kg. They have turned green over time. Experts determine most of the money belonged to the kingdom of Travancore (existing 870-1949), during the Sree Mulam Thirunal Rama Varma (ruler of 1885-1924) and Sree Chithira Thirunal Bala Rama Varma (who ruled the year 1924-1949).

Many coins have turned green over time.(Photo: News Minute).

India started using the Rupee-paise money system after 1949. Prior to that, the Kingdom of Travancore used the Fanam money system . These coins are minted from gold, silver and copper with multiple denominations, the highest being Travancore Rupee. 7 Fanam equals one Travancore Rupee, 4 Chuckram equals one Fanam. The lowest face value is Cash, 16 Cash is equal to a Chuckram.

Rajesh Kumar R, the curator from the Kerala State Archaeological Agency, and several money experts research the coins and said they are all Chuckram and Cash. Some chuckram bronze, made of copper and weighing 10 grams, engraved portraits of Chithiram Thirunal Bala Rama Varma on one side, and the other engraved with shells.

"We found four types of copper coins. Some of the Malayalam inscriptions, some of which are English engraved. A few have the symbol 'RV', or Rama Varma, on one side. We think there are The copper is 100 years old and put into use after 1885 , " Pillai said.

"The coins were sent to Thiruvananthapuram Conservation Laboratory for cleaning. The majority of them were oxidized. The copper oxide was removed and the surface turned green. After that, the money was transferred. for a team of experts to set a price, " Rajesh said.

The owner of the amount has not been determined. However, Rathnakaran Pillai said he had heard of a healer living near the temple at Kilimanoor."I don't know the name, but this person may have hidden money in my room, in a hole in the floor. The pot was dug up in what used to be the southwestern corner room of the house. This is an important location." in ancient Hindu architecture, " Pillai said.

Pillia is not allowed to keep this amount. However, the government will give him a proportionate amount for quickly handing them over."I have never thought about the value of the coins or how much I will get by digging up the jar. I'm just glad I found this ancient treasure on my land. I handed it back. for the government and now it will be safe, " Pillai said.

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