On February 1 2016, Mr. Chakkrit Parapantakul, the director general of the Thailand Treasury Department announce the launch of Thai Elephant Commemorative coins by the Treasury Department, at Meeting Room 801, 8th Floor, the Treasury Department, Ministry of Finance.
The new commemorative coins will feature Thai elephants and portrait of King Bhumibol minted in gold and silver.
The beautiful coins were made by the Royal Mint UK and will be introduced at the Berlin World Money Fair 2016 from Feb 5-7.
The coin obverse feature a portrait of King Bhumibol with inscription "His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej". The coin reverse show a mother elephant and an offspring with the inscription, “Thai Wildlife, Elephant and Thailand”, and the denomination.
Thai elephant commemorative coins will be issued in three denominations:
- 4,000 baht made from 99.9% gold and weighing 31.21 grammes. Mintage 1,000.
- 2,000 baht made from 99.9% gold and weighing 7.8 grammes. Mintage 2,000.
- 200 baht made from 99.9% silver weighing 31.61 grammes. Mintage 5,000.
These coins are the first official Thai coins to celebrate and honor King Bhumibol passion passion for the conservation and presentation of Thai elephants.
The Thai Elephant coin design has been beautifully created by Thai Mint artist.
The Thai Elephant especially the white elephant is considered to be the prestigous symbol of Thailand and Thai Monarch. The White Thai Elephant played a heroic role in warfare, has been honoured as a sacred animal and in the past has been potrayed on the Thai flags.
Source: Bangkok Post
