{"product_id":"vijayanagra-gold-coin","title":"Vijayanagara Empire | Gold Bele","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eHistory of the Artifact\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"174\" data-end=\"914\"\u003eThis solid gold coin, known as a bele (often called a pagoda in later numismatic literature), was issued by the Vijayanagara Empire between the 14th and 17th centuries, with production centred on the imperial capital at Hampi. Struck to an extraordinarily small and precise weight standard, the bele is widely regarded as the smallest gold coin ever regularly issued.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"174\" data-end=\"914\"\u003eThe obverse typically depicts Varaha, the boar avatar of Vishnu associated with royal protection and cosmic order, while the reverse shows a standing deity—most often Vishnu—in a compact, highly stylised form adapted to the coin’s minute size. Vijayanagara deliberately preserved conservative designs across reigns, reinforcing religious legitimacy and dynastic continuity rather than advertising individual rulers. Despite their tiny size, these gold beles played an important role in temple endowments, state payments, and long-distance trade across the Indian Ocean. Their consistent gold content, stable weight, and recognisable imagery made them trusted instruments of exchange for centuries, and today they remain a cornerstone of medieval South Indian numismatics.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow do I know these are original Mughal Empire Coins?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAncient Artifacts guarantees the Authenticity of items sold through a \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003ethree layer system of protection\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eAncient Artifacts exclusively sources artifacts from \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003etrusted and reputable antique distributors\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, many of whom have been selling Artifacts for decades.  \u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eNext, the Artifact is inspected by an \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003eexpert\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eteam member, who is professionally trained in counterfeit detection\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e After the artifact passes inspection, the Certificate of Authenticity is signed and the Artifact is packaged. \u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFinally, Ancient Artifacts gives an\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003eadditional layer of protection\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e by promising a \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003efull refund with no questions asked\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, in the extremely unlikely event that a counterfeit slips through our vetting process.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhat will my artifact look like?\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThe coin you will receive will be of very similar size and quality as the ones shown in the pictures. The display case included is openable so that you may easily handle and closely observe the artifact.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eYour order will include:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eOne authentic Mughal Empire silver Rupee\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eElegant protective case for preservation and display of your artifact \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCertificate of Authenticity\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cem\u003eAncient Artifacts relics are guaranteed authentic and have a 100% money back policy. \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/ancient-artifacts-store.myshopify.com\/pages\/the-ancient-artifacts-mission-promise\"\u003eRead more about our Mission and Promise for authenticity.\u003c\/a\u003e \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Ancient Artifacts Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51381255012568,"sku":"MVL[INDIANGOLD]","price":135.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0611\/3987\/8104\/files\/indianGold_main.png?v=1770773912","url":"https:\/\/ancientartifacts.com\/products\/vijayanagra-gold-coin","provider":"Ancient Artifacts Shop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}