via Khmer Times, 21 October 2023: During restoration, APSARA National Authority discovered 116 ancient coins under the pillars of Laok Pagoda’s old Buddhist vihara in Siem Reap. The coins, bearing images of a swan, Chinese character “Ji” for good luck, and Garuda, provide insights into the region’s historical cultural exchanges.
Bless Gilliang, co-director of the Preah Srey Içanavarman Museum, explains that the swan coin was printed in Cambodia from the 16th to 19th centuries AD. Also, the Chinese character “Ji”, most of which were printed and put into circulation in Battambang during the 19th century. The other type of coin has the word “Preah Tambong” and the other side has a Garuda image, printed and circulated in Battambang during the 19th century.
It is known that the Buddhist vihara of Laok Pagoda has historical value in both religion and art because this pagoda has a long history. The Laok Pagoda was built with wooden components, tiled roofs, and brick walls around the mortar. The building has four rows of pillars.
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