Million-baht coins mark coronation

A platinum-made souvenir coin featuring an image of His Majesty the King is on display at the Royal Thai Mint in Rangsit, Pathum Thani. (Photo by Patipat Janthong)

Private organisations and individuals have placed orders for the first batch of 200 souvenir coins worth 1 million baht apiece to mark the coronation of His Majesty the King next month.

They have been specially handcrafted from platinum to the highest standard and are the highest-value coins ever produced by the Royal Thai Mint. Only 1,000 will be made.

They feature an image of the King on one side and elaborate patterns symbolising the May 4 ceremony on the other.

The coronation ceremonies will run for three days from May 4-6 but the crowning will take place on day one.

"Even the air from people's breath is not allowed to touch the surface of the coins because we want to prevent oxidation [which can cause rust]," Amnuai Primnawong, chief of the Royal Thai Mint, said on Wednesday.

He said help was sought from a mint in Poland to produce the ultra-exclusive coins.

The platinum coins are being sold as a set of three with no value engraved. The other two are made of blackened silver and copper, worth 5,000 and 3,000 baht, respectively.

The Royal Thai Mint is also producing a set of three souvenir coins with the values engraved. The centrepiece weighs 20 grammes and is made of gold with a par value of 19,000 baht. The set retails for 40,000 baht.

The mint plans to set a cap of 50,000 gold coins, with one-fifth already been ordered. It said orders can be placed until May 10.