Obverse. Photo © Heritage Auctions
  • 1 Att 1874-1882, Y# 18, Thailand, Rama V, Obverse
  • 1 Att 1874-1882, Y# 18, Thailand, Rama V, Reverse
Description

Phra Bat Somdet Phra Poraminthra Maha Chulalongkorn Phra Chunla Chom Klao Chao Yu Hua or Rama V (1853–1910) was the fifth monarch of Siam under the House of Chakri. He is considered one of the greatest kings of Siam. His reign was characterized by the modernization of Siam, immense government and social reforms, and territorial cessions to the British Empire and French Indochina. All his reforms were dedicated to ensuring Siam’s survival in the midst of Western colonialism, so that Chulalongkorn earned the epithet Phra Piya Maharat (The Great Beloved King).

Obverse

The Great Crown of Victory above decoration surrounded by the inscription 'Rama V, King of Siam'.

The Great Crown of Victory is part of the Regalia of Thailand. Made of gold in the reign of King Rama I in 1782, the crown is 26" (66 centimeters) high and weighs 16 lb (7.3 kg), and enamelled in red and green. Thanks to King Rama IV, the crown is also set in diamonds. He added a large cut diamond from India to decorate the top of the crown, called Great Diamond. The crown is of a distinctive Thai design, being a multi-tiered conical diadem, terminating in a tapering spire.

A king only wears the crown during his coronation, where he places the crown on his own head. The shape of the crown represents the concept of divine monarchy. The tall spire represents divine authority and right to rule over the people.

Currently, the Great Crown of Victory is the most important of the five regalia of Thailand, yet once the crown possessed the same importance as any other regalia. However, it was under the influence of western culture that the king would accede to the throne when crowned, in the reign of King Rama V.

กรุงสยาม รัชกาลที่ ๕

Reverse

Value and year below spacer inside wreath of two branches with different plants, spikes and flowers.

อัฐ
อันเฟื้อง
๑๒๓๖

Edge

1 Att (2 Solos)

Rattanakosin Kingdom
Y# 18
Characteristics
Material Copper
Weight 5.55 g
Diameter 25 mm
Thickness 1 mm
Shape round
Alignment Coin
Mint
Royal Thai Mint (RTM)

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