Numismatic

1354-1707 Kingdom of Lan Xang Tiger Tongue Silver Bar

In the historic Southeast Asian kingdom of Lan Xang, which spanned regions of modern Cambodia and Vietnam, a highly distinctive form of currency emerged. Cast in a shape resembling a feline's tongue, these silver bars served as a primary medium for major commercial transactions between merchants. The unusual form factor has led to their popular designation as tiger tongue money. While the reverse of this bar is completely plain, the obverse features a characteristic textured pattern that defines the tiger tongue style. Intriguingly, metallurgical history suggests these regional trade pieces were often cast using silver melted down from Spanish-colonial Mexican 8 Reales coins, which circulated globally at the time. Weighing approximately 2.70 troy ounces, this piece offers a tangible connection to the ancient trade networks of Southeast Asia during the pre-1800 era.