With our annual Spring Hong Kong auction taking place
March 25-28, 2019, at the Mira Hotel in conjunction with the 6th Hong
Kong Coin Show (HKCS), we highlight what is often considered the greatest
rarity of Thai numismatics: A six-piece dated presentation set given out to
royalty at King Rama V’s birthday in commemoration of his and his mother’s
birthday.
Lot # 62386 – THAILAND. Bullet Money Presentation Set
(6 pieces), CS1242 (1880). Rama V, P’ra Paramin Maha Chulalonkorn.
This May 24, 1880 event was not just any birthday
celebration; it was very special and nostalgic, commemorating not only King
Rama V’s birthday, but also the age of the Queen Mother, Queen Ramphoei
Phamaraphirom, who at her time of passing was the same age as King Rama V. Attendees were given examples of these rare
issues primarily of the smaller less valuable denominations, while royalty and
high ranking officials were given larger denominations or complete sets.
Similar in design and manufacture to the regular issue
bullet coinage (which ceased production around 1860 with the introduction of
the first flat coinage) they each bear distinct Thai iconography such as the
stylized Chakra and Royal seal like all bullet coinage from this dynasty. The third mark on each piece is that of
Rampeui with date below, was chosen because it was King Rama V’s mother’s
maiden name. An aspect which further sets
these special issues apart from their circulating counterparts is that the two
largest denominations, Chang (80 Baht) and ½ Chang (40 Baht), are skillfully
hand engraved while the smaller denominations are stamped.
Perhaps the most interesting detail is that they are the first dated
silver coins of Thailand.
Since each piece was manufactured in limited quantity
for a very special occasion, opportunities to acquire a single example are
infrequent; chances to acquire an entire intact set are even fewer. According to the reference material at our
disposal there is a possibility of only eight complete sets.
For more information on these fantastic pieces of Thai
history click on the link below for the full lot description with individual
images of each piece.
https://auctions.stacksbowers.com/lots/view/3-HA0BU
We are currently taking consignments of world and
ancient coins and world paper money for our June Collectors Choice Online (CCO)
Auction and the August ANA World’s Fair of Money Auction in Rosemont, Illinois,
a suburb of Chicago. We are also accepting consignments of Chinese and other
Asian coins and currency for our August 19-22, 2019, Hong Kong Showcase
Auction. If you are interested in consigning your coins and paper currency
(whether a whole collection or a single rarity) contact one of our consignment
directors.
