Overview

The ethnic cleansing of the Rohingya, a Muslim minority living in Myanmar's Rakhine State-historically known as Arakan-has prompted widespread scrutiny of the coinage of the former Kingdom of Arakan (circa 14301784). Previously obscure and rarely collected, these coins have now emerged as significant artifacts in the ongoing debate about the Rohingya's right to reside in Myanmar. They serve as foundation stones for historical narratives that support the Rohingya and, conversely, for counter narratives that argue Islamic influence on Arakan's last dynasty was inconsequential. As a result, both numismatists and academics need to understand that Arakanese coinage has evolved from a numismatic curiosity into a contentious body of evidence central to a polarized debate. The Politicized Coins of Arakan is the culmination of eight years of research and incorporates the latest academic findings on Arakan. It seeks to reveal which historical narratives the coins uphold and which they challenge. Readers may find the conclusions pleasing, provocative, or even infuriating, but for those unfamiliar with old Arakan, the work will certainly enlighten.

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Philip Hauret is a life-long collector with a particular focus on United States and Myanmar coinage. He holds a Master's degree in Southeast Asian history from the University of Hawaii, where he studied the Burmese language. Following his retirement from a career in Hawaiian real estate and a trip to Myanmar in 2018, he renewed his academic interest in Southeast Asia and undertook an extensive study of Myanmar coins. His research has been featured in publications such as The Numismatist, History Research, and The Journal of Burma Studies. He is also a recipient of a Numismatic Literary Guild award.

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