A stash of 103 gold coins was uncovered during restoration work at a centuries-old Shiva temple in Kovilur, a small hamlet in Tamil Nadu, India. Workers found the coins while digging a trench inside the sanctum sanctorum of the temple, which dates back to the Later Chola period.
The discovery occurred during a $281,000 restoration project managed by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department. The workers, hired for excavation, came across a small earthen pot that contained the gold coins. The temple, located about 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) from Jamunamarathur village, sits in a remote area surrounded by hills.
Coins to be evaluated before museum transfer
Authorities said the gold coins vary in size and shape. After the discovery, the workers informed revenue officials and local police, who secured the site.
S. Durai, Tahsildar of Jamunamarathur, confirmed that the coins were recovered from the temple premises and said that archaeologists from the Tamil Nadu State Archaeology Department would evaluate their historical value before they are transferred to the district treasury.
🔶 Vijayanagara-era gold coins unearthed!
During restoration work at a Later Chola-era Shiva temple in Kovilur, Tiruvannamalai, workers discovered a pot containing 103 punch-marked gold coins inside the sanctum sanctorum.#Tiruvannamalai #Vijayanagara #TamilNadu pic.twitter.com/N5usfdZJNT
— Ballari Tweetz (@TweetzBallari) November 6, 2025
Collector K. Tharpagaraj, who holds custodial responsibility for such findings under the Indian Treasure Trove Act of 1878, has directed District Curator S. Baskar to assess the coins and submit a detailed report. Officials added that the collector may authorize their transfer to the district museum for public display after evaluation.
Experts believe the coins date back about 600 years to the Vijayanagara era. Archaeologists said the gold coins, each measuring around five millimeters (0.2 inches), bear the image of a pig, an emblem commonly associated with the Vijayanagara dynasty. They noted that the empire frequently used such symbols in inscriptions and temple engravings.
Historical use of gold coins at Shiva temples
K. Sridharan, retired deputy director of the Tamil Nadu State Archaeology Department, explained that during the historical period, coins were often offered to deities and buried under temple sanctums as a ritual to bring prosperity.
He added that gold coins were generally created for religious offerings, while copper and silver coins were used in trade due to their durability and practicality. Copper coins, in particular, were widely circulated because they could not be easily melted like gold.
Archaeologists also pointed out that coins from the Vijayanagara period are usually circular, unlike the square-shaped ones from the Sangam age. With the recent discovery, authorities hope to shed light on the temple’s legacy and enhance public understanding of the region’s historical and cultural significance.
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