Buddhist Amulet World – Viewing the Prosperity Coins of Luang Pu Songkhro and the Noble Truths Coins of Luang Pu Jai
Revered Thai monks created distinctive Buddhist amulet coins over decades, from Luang Pho Pan's meditation-themed pieces in 1979 to Luang Pu Songkhro's numbered prosperity coins in 2014, with rare early coins by Luang Pu Jai from the 1940s
This article explores several highly-regarded Buddhist amulet coins created by respected monks across Thailand. It begins with a quote about meditation from Luang Pho Cha Subhadto of Wat Nong Pa Pong in Ubon Ratchathani, then details amulets from Luang Pho Pan Akkhabanyo, the former abbot of Wat Mongkol Kodthawat in Samut Prakan, whose amulets remain popular across generations. The article describes a 1979 coin featuring a seated meditation figure, created by Phra Kru Mongkol Phiphatthan to commemorate the construction of a meditation hall.
The article also covers amulets by Luang Pu Jai Inthasuvanno of Wat Sedet in Samut Songkhram, who created the "Sugarcane Water Coins" or "Noble Truths Coins" around 1946-1947, featuring lotus blossoms and Khmer script. These distinctive coins are noted for lacking the typical monk's name, temple, and date inscriptions, making them relatively unknown outside serious amulet collectors.
Additional sections describe coins by Luang Pu Ma Janavaro, the former abbot of Wat Santiwiwek in Roi Et, whose first-edition portrait coins from 1974 are highly popular, and Luang Pu Songkhro Kanthadhammo of Wat Ban Sai in Lopburi, who created numbered and coded prosperity coins in the third quarter of 2014 as fundraising items for temple maintenance.
