Stack's Bowers & Ponterio
March 2019 Hong Kong Auction 25-27 Mar 2019
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THAILAND. Bullet Money Presentation Set (6 Pieces), CS1242 (1880). Rama V, P'ra Paramin Maha Chulalonkorn.
The Ultimate Thai Ancient Coins, King Chulalongkorn's equal Somdet P'ra Deb Sirindhra (Princess mother), to commemorate his age. The date chosen 24 May 1880 was very symbolic because in that year the King's age was equal to his mother's at her time of passing. Attendees who were present during the ceremony were given examples of this issue, while full sets were given to royalty and high ranking officials. Two of the three markings are typical emblems of Thai coinage and medals. One being an elaborate form of the chakra, and the other is the mark of the crown. The third mark is that of Rampeui with date below, which was chosen because it was his mother's maiden name. The Chang (80 Baht) and 1/2 Chang (40 Baht or 10 Tamlung) differ significantly from most other Thai bullets in that they are intricately hand engraved as opposed to the smaller denominations where all of the marks are struck. Even further delineating from the norm is the fact that this series represents the first dated silver coins of Thailand and the only dated bullet coinage ever produced. Considered by most collectors and scholars to be the pinnacle of Thai numismatics, to obtain a single example of any denomination is a feat in its own right, let alone the opportunity to acquire an entire intact matching set. Though individual examples from this series appear in the market place from time to time (most recently, an 80 Baht of this type sold for approximately $285,000 (9,520,200 Baht) in a 2018 auction in Thailand), seldom does an entire set come up for sale and as such should be considered of the HIGHEST RARITY. The set offered here was featured on the front cover and on pages 11-12 & 99 of Mark Graham's and Manfred Winkler's book "Thai Coins" published 1992 and is one of three intact sets known from a possible total of only 8 sets. Each piece displays beautiful gun-metal gray with a lovely blue iridescent sheen on the 80 Baht, 40 Baht and 20 Baht, while the 10 Baht, 4 Baht and 2 Baht exhibit an attractive sunset hued sheen. An outstanding well matched set that clearly sat together for a prolonged period of time undisturbed. An opportunity not to be missed as it may not occur again for many years.
The Ultimate Thai Ancient Coins, King Chulalongkorn's equal Somdet P'ra Deb Sirindhra (Princess mother), to commemorate his age. The date chosen 24 May 1880 was very symbolic because in that year the King's age was equal to his mother's at her time of passing. Attendees who were present during the ceremony were given examples of this issue, while full sets were given to royalty and high ranking officials. Two of the three markings are typical emblems of Thai coinage and medals. One being an elaborate form of the chakra, and the other is the mark of the crown. The third mark is that of Rampeui with date below, which was chosen because it was his mother's maiden name. The Chang (80 Baht) and 1/2 Chang (40 Baht or 10 Tamlung) differ significantly from most other Thai bullets in that they are intricately hand engraved as opposed to the smaller denominations where all of the marks are struck. Even further delineating from the norm is the fact that this series represents the first dated silver coins of Thailand and the only dated bullet coinage ever produced. Considered by most collectors and scholars to be the pinnacle of Thai numismatics, to obtain a single example of any denomination is a feat in its own right, let alone the opportunity to acquire an entire intact matching set. Though individual examples from this series appear in the market place from time to time (most recently, an 80 Baht of this type sold for approximately $285,000 (9,520,200 Baht) in a 2018 auction in Thailand), seldom does an entire set come up for sale and as such should be considered of the HIGHEST RARITY. The set offered here was featured on the front cover and on pages 11-12 & 99 of Mark Graham's and Manfred Winkler's book "Thai Coins" published 1992 and is one of three intact sets known from a possible total of only 8 sets. Each piece displays beautiful gun-metal gray with a lovely blue iridescent sheen on the 80 Baht, 40 Baht and 20 Baht, while the 10 Baht, 4 Baht and 2 Baht exhibit an attractive sunset hued sheen. An outstanding well matched set that clearly sat together for a prolonged period of time undisturbed. An opportunity not to be missed as it may not occur again for many years.
1) Chang (80 Baht or 20 Tamlung), CS1247 (1880). 10-blade variety. 1211 gms. C-193; LeMay-Pg.110; Krisadaolarn-pg.214 E502 (Plate coin); Krisadaolarn/Mihailovs-pg.138, E36 & E37; Coinage of the Rattanakosin Era-510.1. Mintage: 8 pieces known for both Rama IV and Rama V.
2) 1/2 Chang (40 Baht or 10 Tamlung), CS1247 (1880). 12-blade variety. 604 gms. C-192; LeMay-Pg.110; Krisadaolarn-pg.214 E502 (Plate coin); Krisadaolarn/Mihailovs-pg.138, E36 & E37; Coinage of the Rattanakosin Era-510.2. Mintage: 18 pieces.
3) 5 Tamlung (20 Baht), CS1247 (1880). 10-blade variety. 302.4 gms. C-191; LeMay-Pg.110; Krisadaolarn-pg.214 E502 (Plate coin); Krisadaolarn/Mihailovs-pg.138, E36 & E37; Coinage of the Rattanakosin Era-510.3. Mintage: 42 pieces.
4) 2 1/2 Tamlung (10 Baht or 2 Tamlung 2 Baht), CS1247 (1880). 10-blade variety. 151.8 gms. C-190; LeMay-Pg.110; Krisadaolarn-pg.214 E502 (Plate coin); Krisadaolarn/Mihailovs-pg.138, E36 & E37; Coinage of the Rattanakosin Era-510.4. Mintage: 75 pieces.
5) Tamlung (4 Baht), CS1247 (1880). 10-blade variety. 60.6 gms. C-189; LeMay-Pg.110; Krisadaolarn-pg.215 E503; Krisadaolarn/Mihailovs-pg.138, E36 & E37; Coinage of the Rattanakosin Era-510.5. Mintage: 115 pieces.
6) 1/2 Tamlung (2 Baht), CS1247 (1880). 8-blade variety. 30.3 gms. C-188; LeMay-Pg.110 & pl. XX#2; Krisadaolarn-pg.216 E504; Krisadaolarn/Mihailovs-pg.138, E36 & E37; Coinage of the Rattanakosin Era-510.6. Mintage: 205.
Estimate: $0.00- $0.00