New commemorative coins featuring the King and Thai elephants, minted in gold and silver, will go on sale for the first time at a coin fair in Germany this month, the Treasury Department announced.
Director-general Jakkrit Parapuntakul said the Thai elephant commemorative coins will be issued in three denominations -- 4,000 and 2,000 baht made from 99.9% gold and weighing 31.21 grammes and 7.8 grammes respectively, and 200 baht coins of 99.9% silver weighing 31.61 grammes.
The obverse side will feature a portrait of King Bhumibol, and the reverse side a mother elephant and an offspring with the inscription, “Thai Wildlife, Elephant and Thailand”, and the denomination.
The department intends to issue a total of 8,000 coins -- 1,000 of the highest value; 2,000 of the 2,000-baht coins and 5,000 of the 200-baht coins. It is the first time a new commemorative issue has been launched overseas.
The coins will be introduced at the World Money Fair 2016, which opens in Berlin, Germany, from Feb 5-7.
The department has not yet set the prices of the coins and is consulting with foreign dealers, but a gold coin the size of the 4,000 baht denomination fetches 70,000-80,000 baht on foreign markets, said Mr Jakkrit.
The coins were made by the Royal Mint of the UK.
According to the department’s brochure this is the first official Thai coin issue to celebrate and honour HM the King's passion for the conservation and presentation of Thai elephants.
The brochure says the Thai elephant, especially the white one, is considered to be the prestigious symbol of Thailand and the Thai monarch. The white elephant played a heroic role in wartime, has been honoured as a sacred animal and in the past has been portrayed on the Thai flag. The elephant has been engaged with Thai society, tradition, politics and economy.
