Ceylon, Silver Larin, 4.96g, trade Coinage, Circa 16-17th century AD. Also known as koku ridi (fish hook) silvers, they were modelled after the Persian Larin (aka hairpin) silver coins. The Ceylonese modified the original designs by bending it into the shape of hooks. Some believe that was to facilitate a more convenient mode of carrying/hooking onto the dress. Although original Persian Larins have descriptive Persian scripts on theirs, the Ceylonese eventually imitated the design and patterns in Persian although they are unintelligible. The Larins made their way from Persia though the Arabian gulf and popular through the Indian Ocean particularly in Ceylon, Maldives and parts of India. In particular the Portuguese period saw their most widespread use as a popular trade coin. Rare. View Lot Details