SIAM MERCHANT COPPER TOKEN THE " MUANG TAI " WITH LOTUS BLOSSOM.

Siam Merchant Copper Token "Muang Tai" With Lotus 1197 (1835).
Rarity: RRR/SS66

In the 12th year of the Third Reign the King, His Siamese Majesty Pra Nang Klao sent three nobles to visit Singapore and the Malay States, and on their return they reported that a copper coinage was in use in Singapore, one of the merchant, Mr. Hunter was requested to submit several kinds, and if one was approved an order would be given to him. The Phra Klang had two models made. One had "Muang Tai" in Siamese characters and two stars on the obverse side, and on the reverse is a model of an elephant. The other was a design of lotus flowers.

I am always very lucky. I was given a chance to view a very rare two Keping Siam (Thailand) " Muang Tai " Copper Token With Lotus dated 1197 (1835) by an numismatist, Mr. JW from down South. It was an ex-Farouk collection and was  graded by NGC as About Uncirculated (AU) in condition with surface hairlines.
This token has no connection with Singapore Merchant Token other than the fact that their design was partly based on the Singapore Merchant Tokens. It was struck at the Soho Mint of Birmingham without denomination but was at the size of two Keping.

Obverse: The Siamese inscription "Muang Tai" (The land of the Free-Siam). A 16 pointed star above and below the inscription.
Obverse

Reverse:  A Lotus Blossom. In the exergue the date in Siamese numerals "1197" (1835).
Reverse
Edge: Plain.

Weight: 4.27gm.

Diameter: 23mm.

Composition: Copper.

Happy Niewmismatic!!

0 comments:

Post a Comment