China - Tibet. TIBET: AR kong-par tangka, BE13-46 (1792), Cr-60, scarce variety with two circles on obverse! PCGS graded F15, S. The first series of Kong-Par Tangkas bears the dates 13-45 (AD 1791), 13-46 (1792), and 13-47 (1793). While considerable quantities of the first two dates were struck, it appears that the coins dated 13-47 were only struck in the beginning of that year after which the production of Kong-Par Tangkas was suspended. After 1840 the Chinese influence on Tibetan affairs had weakened considerably and the Tibetan government decided to resume the striking of Tangkas in the style and fineness as the first series of Kong-Par tangkas. However, the Tibetan authorities did not inscribe the new series of Kong-Par Tangkas with the actual date, but continued to use the frozen date of 13-46. The second series of Kong-Par tangkas was struck around 1840 and is characterized by having a pointed date arch on obverse. The third series of Kong-Par tangkas was struck in about 1850, again with the frozen date 13-46. These issues can be identified by their large petals on reverse and the improved quality of striking.
