1 Baht Thailand Silver Vajiravudh (Rama VI) (1880 – 1925)

1860, Thailand, Rama IV (Mongkut). Scarce Silver Elephant Baht Coin. XF!

Mint Year: 1860
Reference: KM-Y#11. R!
Denomination: Baht (8 Fuang)
Weight: 15.01gm
Diameter: 31mm
Material: Silver

Obverse: Royal crown flanked by umbrellas in embellished fields.

Reverse: Chakra with elephant standing left. Eight stars around marking the value (8 Fuang).

Phra Bat Somdet Phra Poramenthramaha Mongkut Phra Chom Klao Chao Yu Hua (Thai: พระบาทสม เด็จพระปรเมนทรมหามงกุฎฯ พระจอมเกล้าเจ้าอยู่หัว), or Rama IV, known in foreign countries as King Mongkut (18 October 1804-1 October 1868), was the fourth monarch of Siam under the House of Chakri, ruling from 1851-1868. He was one of the most revered monarchs of the country.

Outside of Thailand he is best-known as the King in the play and film The King and I, based on the 1946 film Anna and the King of Siam - in turn based on the writing of Anna Leonowens about her six years at his court.

In his reign, the pressure of Western expansionism was felt for the first time in Siam. Mongkut embraced Western innovations and initiated the modernization of Siam, both in technology and culture—earning him the epithet “The Father of Science and Technology” in Siam.

Mongkut was also known for his appointment of his brother, Prince Chutamani, as vice-king. Prince Chutamani was crowned in 1851 as King Pinklao. Mongkut himself assured that Pinklao should be respected with equal honor to himself. Mongkut’s reign was also the time when the power of the House of Bunnak reached the zenith and became the most powerful noble family of Siam.