Thailand Rama VIII 50 Satang

History

50 Satang 1946, Y# 71, Thailand, Rama VIII

Obverse. Photo © Numismatic Guaranty Company

Description

Ananda Mahidol (1925–1946) was the eighth monarch of Thailand from the Chakri dynasty as Rama VIII. At the time he was recognised as king by the National Assembly in March 1935, he was a nine-year-old boy living in Switzerland. He returned to Thailand in December 1945, but six months later in June 1946, he was found shot dead in his bed. Although at first thought to have been an accident, his death was ruled a murder by medical examiners, and three royal pages were later executed following very irregular trials. The mysterious circumstances surrounding his death have been the subject of much controversy.

This coin was actually struck from 1954 to 1957.

Obverse	Person (king, queen, tsar etc.) Rama VIII Youth's head left surrounded by the King's name "Ananda Mahidol Rama VIII". อานันทมหิดล รัชกาลที่ ๘
Reverse	Legendary creature (dragon, unicorn etc.) Garuda Mythical creature Garuda divides a denomination, name of the country above, date below. The Garuda is a large mythical bird, bird-like creature, or humanoid bird that appears in both Hindu and Buddhist mythology. Garuda is the mount (vahana) of the Lord Vishnu. Garuda is the Hindu name for the constellation Aquila. Thailand uses the Garuda (Thai: ครุฑ, khrut) as its national symbol. One form of the Garuda used in Thailand as a sign of the royal family is called Khrut Pha, meaning "Garuda, the vehicle (of Vishnu)." The statue and images of Garuda adorned many Buddhist temples in Thailand, it also has become the cultural symbol of Thailand. รัฐบาลไทย ๕๐ สต. พ.ศ.๒๔๘๙
Edge	Reeded (milled)