Thailand: 2 new commemorative coins issued

The Treasury department of Thailand today issued two commemorative coins.


"Father of Thai Trade title given to HM King Rama 3"

Coin details:
20 Baht: Cupro-Nickel, 15g, 32mm, 300k coins



"150 years of Royal Thai Mint"

Coin details:
50 Baht: Cupro-Nickel, 21g, 36mm, 150k coins

Thailand: Unlisted and Unissued 500 Baht banknote

On 25th September 2010, the Bank of Thailand (BOT) had organised Thai Banknote Expo, a two day event to let public know more about history of Thai banknotes, identification of counterfeits, taking care of banknotes, etc. Extremely rare banknotes right from the 1st series to unissued varieties were on display following the theme "Best of Thai Banknotes".

One of the rarest banknote, a Series 1 50 Tical overprinted note, can be seen at Thailand: One of the rarest Thai Banknote.

Another very rare banknote, an overprinted 500 Baht from Series 5, is not even listed in any catalogs or internet sources. During the 2nd World War, Thailand was occupied by the Japanese invasion forces and all banknotes were printed in Japan. However, since these Japanese printed banknotes could not be delivered on time, many special issues were printed locally. Quality was poor and counterfeits were rampant. To take care of banknote shotages, uncirculated 1000 Baht banknotes were overprinted as 500 Baht. However, these notes were never ever issued and are extremely rare.


Overprinted 500 Baht Banknote

Overprinted 500 Baht Banknote detail in Thai

Thailand: One of the rarest Thai Banknote

On 25th September 2010, the Bank of Thailand (BOT) had organised Thai Banknote Expo, a two day event to let public know more about history of Thai banknotes, identification of counterfeits, taking care of banknotes, etc. Extremely rare banknotes right from the 1st series to unissued varieties were on display following the theme "Best of Thai Banknotes". One such banknote was the Series 1 50 Tical overprinted note which is considered to be the rarest of all overprinted Thai banknotes. Uniface Series 1 banknotes were printed in England by Thomas de la Rue. At the end of World War I, banknotes could not be delivered to Siam and in 1918 (B.E. 2461), unissued 1 Tical banknotes were overprinted and issued as 50 Ticals.



Overprinted 50 Tical Banknote


Detail in Thai

Singapore: New varieties of $5 and $10 banknotes

New varieties of 5 and 10 Dollars notes have been found recently.


5 Dollars with 1 square dot below GARDEN CITY


10 Dollars with 1 triangular dot below SPORTS




Images and information courtesy of my very good friend and fellow banknote collector Vincent Tan. See his collection at:
http://www.mrbanknotes.blogspot.com.

Laos: 450th anniversary of Vientiane commemorative banknote

On 15 November 2010, the Bank Of the Lao PDR issued a 100,000 Kip banknote to commemorate the 450th anniversary of Vientiane as capital (15 November 1560 - 15 November 2010). Only 1,500,000 pieces have been printed.




Image and details courtesy of Maurizio Fumagalli. Maurizio has a very good collection of difficult to find banknotes and stamps from French Indochina, Laos and Burma.

India: Platinum Jubilee of RBI coins

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will shortly put in to circulation new commemorative circulation coins of 1, 2, 5 and 10 Rupees to mark the Platinum Jubilee of RBI.

For more details see press release of Reserve Bank of India on 12 November 2010.

Thailand: New Commemorative coins issued

The Treasury department of Thailand will issue coins commemorating the 84th (7th cycle) birthday of HRH Princess Bejaratana Rajasuda Sirisobhabannavadihad (pronounced as Petcharat) on 1st November 2010. She is the only child of King Rama VI, the 6th King of the ruling Chakri dynasty. She was only 1 day old when her father passed away in 1925. She actually will be turning 85 years old this coming 24th November.



Coin details:
10 Baht: Bi-metallic, 8.5g, 26mm
20 Baht: Cupro-Nickel, 15g, 32mm
800 Baht: 92.5% Silver, 22g, 35mm

India: XIX Commonwealth Games commemorative coins

The Reserve Bank of India will shortly put in to circulation new commemorative circulation coins of 2 and 5 Rupees made of Ferritic Stainless steel and Nickel Brass respectively to mark the XIX Comonwealth games being currently held in New Delhi.

For more details see press release of Reserve Bank of India on 11 October 2010.

Singapore: New blog for Singaporean notes

Vincent Tan, a fellow banknote collector from Singapore, has a new blog on Singaporean banknotes. He is an authority on polymer banknotes and we will definitely see more of his collection, especially specimen notes, on his new blog.

http://www.mrbanknotes.blogspot.com

Thailand: Thai Banknote Expo 25-26 Sept 2010

Bank of Thailand (BOT) has organised "Thai Banknote Expo", a two day event to let public know more about history of Thai banknotes, identification of counterfeits, taking care of banknotes, etc. Commemorative banknotes issued during the last 10 years are also on sale. Public can exchange soiled banknotes as well.

On 26th there will be 300 lots of banknotes for auction. The lots are mainly made up of specimen notes and banknotes having solid serial numbers.

Many banknotes are on display following the theme "Best of Thai banknotes". Extremely rare banknotes right from the 1st series to unissued varieties are on display. The unissued notes and provisional issues are just awesome. I did not even know that some of these banknotes ever existed. They have not been reported in catalogues or numismatic websites. I will cover them next week.

Overall the expo was small but very informative. Below images show the atmosphere inside the expo.


Entrance to Thai Banknote Expo

Banknote displays
Famous Thai TV personalities Paul-Pattarapol and Pui-Pimonwal were MC's
People queuing up for commemoratives
BOT official explaining printing process


Banknotes on display

Singapore: New 50 Dollars variety with 2 square dots

50 Dollars note with two square dots beneath the word ART on reverse has been found recently.






Images and information courtesy of my very good friend and fellow banknote collector Vincent Tan.

India: RBI to issue new 10 Rupees note with S inset letter

The Reserve Bank of India will shortly issue Rs.10 denomination banknotes with 'S' inset letter in both numbering panels and bearing the signature of Dr. D. Subbarao.



Press release of Reserve Bank of India on 17 Aug 2010.

Thailand to get new series of circulating banknotes

On 27th July, Ms. Chittima Duriyaprapan, Assistant Governor - Banknote Management Group of the Bank of Thailand (BOT) announced that the BOT board has approved issuing of Series 16 banknotes with newer counterfeit protection features. Design for the new 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 Baht notes are awaiting approval from the Royal Household Bureau. This new series of circulating banknotes, expected to come out towards the end of this year, will replace Series 15 which has been in use for the past 12 years.

However, the current series of banknotes will carry a new signature variety starting October till the new series are issued. (BOT gets new governor)



ธปท.เตรียมออกธนบัตรใหม่หมุนเวียนใช้สิ้นปีนี้

คณะกรรมการธนาคารแห่งประเทศไทย (ธปท.) มีมติให้จัดทำธนบัตรรูปแบบใหม่ ภายใต้ชื่อชุดที่ 16 หลังจากที่ธนบัตรปัจจุบันชุดที่ 15 นั้น ใช้มาเป็นเวลา 12 ปีแล้ว จะมีการเปลี่ยนธนบัตรทุกชนิด ตั้งแต่ 20 50 100 500 และ 1,000 บาท รูปแบบที่เปลี่บนแปลงไปจะใช้เทคโนโลยีทันสมัย และมีการใส่สิ่งต่อต้านการปลอมแปลงธนบัตรเพิ่มขึ้นด้วย ขณะนี้รูปแบบของธนบัตรรูปแบบใหม่ อยู่ระหว่างการขออนุญาตจากสำนักพระราชวัง คาดว่าจะเริ่มทยอยนำออกมาใช้ได้หลังวันที่ 5 ธันวาคมนี้ และจะนำออกมาใช้หมุนเวียนในปีต่อไปด้วย

ด้าน นางจิตติมา ดุริยะประพันธ์ ผู้ช่วยผู้ว่าการธนาคารแห่งประเทศไทย กล่าวว่า จากการติดตามสถิติของการระบาดธนบัตรปลอม ในช่วงครึ่งแรกของปีนี้ ปรากฏว่าลดลงจากปีที่ผ่านมา 39 เปอร์เซ็นต์ ครึ่งหนึ่งของธนบัตรปลอมนั้นกระจุกตัวอยู่ในภาคกลาง เช่น พัทยา อยุธยา กำแพงเพชร เนื่องจากปริมาณเงินที่หมุนเวียนในภาคกลางมีมากกว่าภาคอื่น ซึ่ง ธปท.ประสานกับเจ้าหน้าที่ตำรวจ เพื่อขยายผลหาแหล่งผลิตต่อไปแล้ว


Further reading:
BOT Announcement on Channel 7 News (in Thai)

The Nation (English)

Thailand: WIPO Award Commemorative coins issued

"World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Global Leader Award to HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej" commemorative coins will be issued on 2nd August. These coins were announced way back in December 2009 and the designs were released in May this year.



Coin details:




Previous posts:
http://numis-asia.blogspot.com/2010/05/thailand-updates-on-commemorative-coins.html

http://numis-asia.blogspot.com/2009/12/thailand-new-commemorative-coins.html

India: Rupee gets new symbol

The Indian Cabinet on Thursday 15 Jul approved the new symbol for the Indian rupee – an amalgam of the Devnagiri 'Ra' and the Roman capital 'R' without the stem. The symbol was selected from among five shortlisted symbols before the Cabinet. The symbol will not be printed or embossed on currency notes or coins.




For more information read:

Indian rupee gets a symbol, joins elite currency club

Thailand: Bank of Thailand gets new governor

Thailand's Cabinet on Tuesday, 6th July endorsed the nomination of the country's top banker Dr Prasarn Trairatvorakul as new governor of the Bank of Thailand (BoT). Dr Prasarn will succeed Ms. Tarisa Watanagase, who completes her term in September.

Expect banknotes with new signature variety from October 2010 onwards.

sig 82: Korn Chatikavanij as Finance Minister and Prasarn Trairatvorakul as Governor BOT.

For more information see link below:

Thai central bank gets new governor

Thailand: BANGKOK 2010 - 25th Asian International Stamp Exhibition

BANGKOK 2010 - 25th Asian International Stamp Exhibition will be held in Bangkok, Thailand between 4 and 12 August. Apart from being the largest philately event in Asia, this year's event will feature one of biggest auction ever. "Super Grand Auction Sale" will be organised by Eurseree at the event venue on 7th and 8th August. Definitely looking forward to this event as apart from stamps, many interesting lots of banknotes and coins will be up for auction. If any of you are coming, please let me know and we can meet up at the event.

For more information click on the links below:

1. Official site for BANGKOK 2010
2. Event update from Eurseree

Thailand: Gold coins issued by Rama 5

Siamese trade was booming during the 1860's due to which there were surplus of gold coins in the royal treasury. HM Rama IV ordered issuing of three gold coins in 1863 which were mainly given as presents to the royal family members and other dignitaries. The three denominations were:

Pad Dueng = 2 ½ Baht equivalent
Pit = 4 Baht equivalent, and
Tot = 8 Baht equivalent

The same three denominations were issued again by HM Rama 5 in 1894 with slight differences in the design (more refined) and weights.





Click on above to see Checklist of gold coins.


Please refer to my previous posts Thailand: Circulating coin denominations and Thailand: Coin Dating to understand denominations and dates.

Thailand: 2 Baht circulation coin dated 2010 issued

พ.ศ. ๒๕๕๓ = B.E. 2553 = 2010
Yesterday I found a 2 Baht circulation coin dated 2010 during a regular shopping run to a wet market. A quick call to Thai Treasury and I found out that even the 1 Baht coin dated 2010 is in circulation. Will find it and post images soon.

Laos: Unlisted 1 Kip banknote variety

The written denomination on the back of early 1 Kip notes (P25 unlisted) contains an incorrect accent over the next-to-last character which is corrected on later notes (P25a). SCWPM does not list this but has now been correctly listed in Owen Linzmayer's upcoming catalog.

Thailand: Update on 100 Baht commemorative banknote

Commemorative 100 Baht banknotes has been issued last Tuesday to mark the 60th Anniversary of the Royal Wedding and the Royal Coronation of HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand.

I got my first banknotes on the same day but cannot post any scans as these banknotes have EURion constellation patterns on the reverse to prevent counterfeiting. EURion constellation is a pattern of five rings which are incorporated into the banknote's design which help software in digital copiers and scanners to identify banknotes.



The obverse is similar to current series 15 circulation notes (Pick 114) while the reverse feature the 60th anniversary of the Royal Wedding (28 April 1950) and the Royal Coronation of HM the King (5 May 1950). Serial number run from 9ธ(R)0000001 to 9ธ(R)9999999. Specimen notes are available but replacement notes have not been noticed as of yet. Will keep my readers posted.

To mark both occasions, postage stamps have also been issued on respective dates. See images below:

Postage stamps 60 years Royal Wedding 28 Apr 2010

Postage stamp 60 years Royal Coronation 5 May 2010

Thailand: Updates on Commemorative coins to be issued in 2010

On 22nd December 2009, the Treasury department of Thailand had announced plans for release of commemorative coins during the year 2010. See updates on these coins below.

1. 10 Baht Bi-metallic coin marking "100 years of Command and General Staff College, Royal Thai Army" (http://numis-asia.blogspot.com/2009/07/thailand-new-commemorative-coins.html) - No definite issue date.

2. "World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Global Leader Award to HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej" - 16,000 Baht 99% Gold and 800 Baht 99% Silver proof coins along with a 20 Baht Cupro-nickel coin (http://numis-asia.blogspot.com/2009/12/thailand-new-commemorative-coins.html) - Issue date not finalised but sketches of design released.



3. "84th Birthday of HRH Princess Bejaratana Rajasuda Sirisobhabannavadi" - Silver 800 Baht, Cupro-Nickel 20 Baht and Bi-metallic 10 Baht coins - Will be issued very soon.

4. 10 Baht Bi-metallic coin marking "150th Birthday of HRH Prince Bhanurangsi Savangwongse" - No definite issue date.

5. 20 Baht Cupro-nickel coin marking "Father of Thai Trade title given to HM King Rama 3" - No definite issue date.

6. 50 Baht Cupro-nickel coin marking "150 years of Royal Thai Mint" - No definite issue date.

Two new coins are also being talked about.

7. "60 years Royal Coronation of HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand" - 25,000 Baht 99% Gold (26mmx15g) and 1,000 Baht 99% Silver (30mmx15g) coins - will be announced mid-May and made available to public by reservation only.

8. "60 years Royal Wedding of HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand" - details not known.

Thailand: New Commemorative banknote

The Bank of Thailand (BoT) will launch a 100 Baht banknote to mark the 60th Anniversary of the Royal Wedding and the Royal Coronation of HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand. A total of 9,999,999 banknotes will be available from 4 May 2010 onwards at all commercial bank branches.



The obverse is similar to current series 15 circulation notes or Pick 114 except the serial number which will run from 9Rธ0000001 to 9Rธ9999999. However, the reverse will feature the 60th anniversary of the Royal Wedding (28 April 1950) and the Royal Coronation of HM the King (5 May 1950).



Thai Government Public Relations Department announcement

Thailand: Series 11 Banknotes

Since Thailand could not easily import banknotes from abroad when banknotes were first used in 1902 and could not order banknotes during the late part of WWII (1941-1945). Banknotes had to be printed by Royal Thai Survey Department or Naval Hydrographic Department, etc. which was not only inefficient but also resulted in low quality banknotes. The scarcity of banknotes had affected all economic sectors of the country during that period. The Bank of Thailand was authorised by the Thai Cabinet on September 5, 1961 to establish the Note Printing Works. The Note Printing Works offically commenced operation when H.M. King Rama 9 graciously presided over the inauguration ceremony on June 24, 1969. Commemorative banknotes of 5 Baht and 10 Baht were issued to mark this occasion.


Series 11 Commemorative banknotesImages courtesy www.eurseree.com
Series 11 Commemorative Banknotes Checklist

After the establishment of Note Printing Works, Series 11 consisting of five denominations namely 5 Baht, 10 Baht, 20 Baht, 100 Baht and 500 Baht were printed here. They were issued from the lowest to the highest denomination starting in 1969. In 1975, 500 Baht banknotes were printed for the first time ever, and the issue of this note first enabled the Note Printing Works to manage the whole production process, including the designing and engraving.


Series 11 regular Banknotes

Series 11: 5, 10 and 20 Baht Banknotes Checklist

Series 11: 100 and 500 Baht Banknotes Checklist

In Nov 1971, Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn staged a military coup, dissolved Parliament and appointed himself Chairman of the National Executive Council, and served as a caretaker government from 18 Nov 1971 to 17 Dec 1972. No Finance Minister was appointed during this time and the 100 Baht banknotes of type 1 (which were issued in Oct 1972) were signed by Boonma Wongsawan who was the Permanent Secretary to Ministry of Finance. This is the only banknote of Thailand ever signed by a Permanent Secretary. Boonma Wongsawan later became a Finance Minister between 16 Oct 1973 and 29 May 1974 and signed 10, 20 and 100 Baht banknotes issued during this period. See all above checklists for signature details.


Series 11: 100 Baht Type 1 banknote

For MS-Excel or PDF checklists, please contact me at sbasu@loxinfo.co.th

Thailand: Updated "Thai Banknotes Catalogue" available

Anybody seriously collecting Thai banknotes cannot do without the updated Thai Banknotes Catalogue by Somchai Saeng-ngern. This very detailed catalogue in both Thai and English languages was released in Dec 2009 and is sold at a very nominal price of 900 Baht or approx 28 USD.



Thai Banknotes Catalogue Somchai Saeng-ngern
by Somchai Saeng-ngern
ISBN 978-974-235-606-4
Size 30x21.5cm, 272 pages


This catalog covers all paper money issued since 1853 from the reign of HM Rama IV to the present Series 15 banknotes with signature of Korn Chatikavanij (กรณ์ จาติกวณิช, Minister of Finance) and Tarisa Watanagase (ธาริษา วัฒนเกส, Governor, Bank of Thailand ).

Sample pages can be viewed at Thai Banknote Catalogue sample pages.

Chapters dedicated to banknotes issued by foreign banks in the 1890's and Commemorative banknotes are very interesting to read. A notable upgrade from the previous editions is the improved quality of images and more accurate data concerning serial number prefixes and market prices. One noticeable point is that this catalogue does not make any references to Krause's Standard Catalog of World Paper Money or Pick numbers. Also details of watermarks and security threads in the form of images would be helpful and recommended for next edition. However, what this catalogue lacks has been or will be covered in my checklists.

Examples are:
Thailand: Series 9 Banknotes.
Thailand: Series 10 Banknotes.


In short it is a must for all Thai banknote collectors. Anybody interested in buying this catalogue over the internet can contact the publisher at www.hobbyinter.com or Mr.Waranon Tiamkeaw. Note that they can ship this catalog abroad to foreign collectors.

India: 60 years Commonwealth - new 5 Rupees coin

The Reserve Bank of India will shortly put in to circulation new commemorative circulation coins of 5 Rupees made of Nickel Brass to mark 60 years of Commonwealth.



Image from ebay

For more details see press release of Reserve Bank of India on 20 Apr 2010.