Buddhist Amulet Collector's Guide: Luang Pu Solus Medals
Highly sought Buddhist amulets and medals created by venerated Thai monks in the 1970s-80s for charitable fundraising are now prized by collectors, with rare pieces from Luang Pu Solus and other respected abbots commanding significant value
The article profiles several highly sought-after Buddhist amulets and medals created by venerated monks for charitable purposes. Luang Pu Solus Ysodhro of Wat Khok Oo Thong produced nine-sided diamond-shaped medals in dark copper, featuring his portrait on the obverse and sacred yantra on the reverse, with temple and year inscriptions dating to 2548 BE. Luang Pu Sim Putthajarao of Tam Pha Plong Hermitage in Chiang Mai created "Compassion Medals" in multiple metals—67 in gold, 999 in silver, 1,111 in German silver, and 7,777 in copper—cast in 2517 BE to raise funds for medical treatment of afflicted monks. Luang Pu Ruem Pamo, a renowned elder at Wat Chuk Ka Choe in Si Racha, Chon Buri, authorized production of 5,000 oval alpaca medals in 2516 BE, whose popularity has driven collector values higher. Luang Pho Sanga Chittasangvaro, former abbot of Wat Thap Than Wattanarama in Uthai Thani, created embossed Buddha powder amulets in 2515 BE depicting Luang Pho To in the subduing-Mara posture, recently discovered in his monastic cell after his passing.
