Owner Comments:
Rama VI gold Proof 5 Satang RS127 (1908), K.M. Pn51; Fr. 26f. 3,84 g. 17,5 mm. Brussels mint, KM-Pn51. Tied with the Lawrence Adams Collection example for Top Pop at NGC in PF65.
On 11 November 1908, the Siamese government elected a gold standard law, establishing a new decimal system. This called for the striking of new subsidiary coinage in the denominations of Satang, 5 Satang, and 10 Satang. A tiny number of the new coins were struck in gold as presentation issues.
The coins all share a very similar design: a unalom symbol around a central hole. Some sources say this symbol represents the conch shell that houses the ashes of the father of King Rama I, which would be used as Rama I’s royal emblem for his entire reign. The symbol could also represent the tuft of hair between the eyebrows of Buddha. Flanking the central design are Thai legends that state: “State of Siam – Satang.” The symbols below the central hole are Thai numerals for 1, 5 or 10 stating the denomination (in Satangs). The reverse design features an eight-bladed Chakra with the date in Thai numerals in the center, just above the central hole.
Obv. Unalom sign around central hole.
Rev. Eight-blade chakra. Boldly struck, with minimally reflective surfaces and heavy die-polishing lines. Extremely rare.