*Coins of Bijapur** (Ancient Coins Canada), including the characteristic bar-shaped "larin"
 

For comparison: a Safavid larin, probably minted in Lar itself, from the early 900's

Source: http://www.vcoins.com/ancient/canmoose/store/viewitem.asp?idProduct=1109
(downloaded Jan. 2007)

"Safavid (Persian Dynasty) Isma’il I (AH 907-930) silver LARIN, LAR mint (Fars). Size: 22 X 5 X 4 mm. (bent-shape); weight:  5.1 gr. Obverse: The legend: on this piece seems to be similar to the ruler's coins. Reverse: The names of some of 12 Shi'a imams including Ali and Hasan are readable..

Notes: Larins (or fish-hook money or hairpin money) are pieces of silver wire bent double and stamped with dies. They were around in 16th to 18th centuries. The main issuers of them were the Ottoman empire, the Safavid dynasty of Persia, the Sultans of Bijapur in India, probably private individuals in Ceylon and as far as the Maldive Islanders. Some of the dies were borrowed from regular coin issues like the coin here, while others were special long-and-thin larin dies. It is very likely that this silver currency was used as an international tool among tea-traders."