Today’s preview for our upcoming Stack’s Bowers and Ponterio August Hong Kong Auction is an astounding run of Thailand pattern coinage. These pieces are exciting for a many reasons, including their stunning design, rarity, historical context and the emerging sector of the numismatic market they represent. Indeed, Thai coinage has been a steadily growing market for years, and the forecast indicates continued growth. This group of pattern coinage was struck at the onset of King Rama V’s rule, and presumably they were struck in England. The rule of King Rama V would widely be considered the greatest for the Kingdom of Siam. He was able to negotiate to keep Siam free of European colonization (the only country in Southeast Asia to accomplish that feat) while simultaneously modernizing his country in a multitude of ways, including abolishing slavery.
The patterns featured in this sale are likely the most comprehensive grouping ever offered at one time in a public auction. As part of the same octuplet monetary system these patterns share a basic design, though the metals, orientations and denominations differ. The obverse features a stately white elephant, stoically standing facing left, within an ornate nine-bladed chakra design. A number of six-pointed stars appear around the chakra denoting the denomination (32 stars for a 4 Baht). The reverse design is also richly detailed, with the Thai King’s coronet at center with two umbrellas at either side. The majority of these issues are in NGC Proof holders, and some of the rarer combinations of metal type, edge and orientation are the only examples currently certified. A substantial opportunity for any collector, this grouping is sure to be a reference point for Thai collectors for years to come.
Look for these and other Asian and world numismatic rarities in our upcoming August Hong Kong Showcase Auction and Sale. Preview these impressive lots along with the rest of our auction this August at the Stack’s Bowers and Ponterio office located in Irvine, California and in our Hong Kong office. For details please refer to the Events Calendar link at www.StacksBowers.com. To schedule an appointment, please call 800.458.4646. While our Stack’s Bowers and Ponterio August Hong Kong Showcase Auction is closed for further consignments, we are currently taking consignments of Asian, world and ancient coins for our December Hong Kong Showcase Auction of Asian coins and currency, November Baltimore and New York International auctions. Time is running short, so if you are interested in consigning your coins and paper currency (whether a whole collection or a single rarity) be sure to contact one of our consignment directors.
