Nepalese dam

Dam was a small coin, either silver, gold or copper first minted during between 1098–1126 CE., replacing old Licchavi coinage.

History

First introduced by King Sivadeva during his between c. 1098 and 1126 CE., replacing old Lichhavi coinage. In the new system Gold Sivaka, Silver Dam and later Nava-Dam-Sivaka and copper Dam were introduced as a new denomination.

Types

Nepali dam were originally made of 1 g pure silver or copper. The copper variety were discontinued in the Malla dynasty and all decreased in size to 0.04 g. They were reintroduced during the Shah period, but only used in the Hill Region and Terai. Silver dams were preferred by the locals of Kathmandu Valley.

In popular culture

Watch Your Language lists the coin as one of the possible sources for the English phrase "I don't give a dam″, due to its small worth.