Late King’s copper coin sells out quickly

An additional 40,000 copper coins to mark the upcoming cremation ceremony for His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej sold out in 15 minutes on the first day of the second round of reservations.

Treasury Department head Patchara Anuntasilpa said further commemorative coins will no longer be minted, as the number of coins has already reached full capacity.

The department recently opened the first reservation period for 99,999 gold commemorative coins priced at 50,000 baht each, 39,999 copper coins priced at 3,000 baht each, 399,999 silver coins priced at 2,000 baht each and 39.9 million coppernickel coins priced at 100 baht each.

It subsequently decided to mint an additional 50,000 gold, 400,000 silver and 40,000 copper coins to meet strong demand.

Mr Patchara said 20,000 out of the 50,000 gold coins were sold in the first hour yesterday.

The silver coins will be offered until all those in the second lot are sold out, though the latest round of reservations is set to close at the end of this month.

Mr Patchara said all the sold coins with the exception of the copper coins reserved in the second round of reservations will be minted later this year and prepared for handover in January as scheduled.

The additional 40,000 copper coins may be delivered to purchasers by next July, as the hand-etching process takes time, he said.

As of 4.15pm yesterday, 18,925 gold, 184,935 silver and 22 million copper-nickel coins were left. There has been no lock-up of coins earmarked for particular persons; the reservations have been booked at 11,000 bank branches nationwide.

The front of the commemorative coins has an image of the late King Bhumibol in full dress uniform, the robe of the Royal House of Chakri, the Most Illustrious Order of the Royal House of Chakri, and a Chulachomklao breast chain.

The late King’s name is at the bottom of the coin. On the reverse side is an image of the royal crematorium, the initials of the late King, and the words “royal cremation” and the date of the ceremony, Oct 26, 2017, in Thai.

In related matters, the first circulating coins under His Majesty the King’s reign are pending the legal issuance process, Mr Patchara said.

SUPAKIT BUYAM People queue at the Treasury Department on Rama VI Road to make reservations for coins commemorating the royal cremation of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Reservations can be made through Sept 30.