Rare Buddhist Amulets and Talismans Draw Collectors' Interest
Rare Buddhist amulets and commemorative medals created by renowned monks across Thailand are attracting serious collectors, with pieces from Samut Songkhram, Maha Sarakham, Saraburi, and Phetchaburi commanding particular interest for their
Luang Pho Bai Thammacho of Wat Chong Lom in Samut Songkhram was a renowned monk who created numerous sacred objects that gained considerable popularity. In 1941, the temple held a grand celebration for the ordination hall and cast life-size statues, along with commemorative medals. These oval medals with attached loops were fashioned from copper alone. The front displays a half-length image of the monk in robes with sacred inscriptions surrounding it, while the back bears the tiger-heart yantra with Thai numerals indicating the year of creation: 2484. The rim carries Thai letters reading "Commemorative Medal of the Ordination Hall and Buddha Image of Luang Pho of Wat Chong Lom," making these medals highly coveted.
In 2005, disciples led by Surathorn Duangchatham, director of the Maha Sarakham Primary Education District Office, and Somjed Pusri, rector of Rajabhat Maha Sarakham University, decided that the dirt road from Wat Sri Suk's front entrance to the riverside hut of Luang Pu Singh Kamphiro was impassable during rainy season. They received permission to create locketed amulets, dedicating all proceeds to build a concrete road. These came in three types: jumbo special gold cases with two embedded sacred cords, medium-sized gold cases, and standard blue cases. The front features a half-length image of the monk with the title "Phra Kru Siri Sukwatthan" inscribed below.
In 2012, the esteemed Luang Pho Phra Atthasan, former abbot of Wat Kok Dok Mai in Saraburi, Chai Nat, collected sacred powders and ancient materials including Itti powder, Luang Pho Kuay powder, and Somdet Bang Khun Prom powder to create protective amulets called "Somdet Prok Bodhi." The front displays a three-tiered Buddha image under a nine-layer bodhi tree with gold, silver, and lead cords embedded at the base. The back shows the monk in full seated meditation. Luang Pho Phra consecrated these amulets continuously over three months, guaranteeing their spiritual potency. Collectors and amulet enthusiasts speak with one voice that these should be owned and revered.
Luang Pho Daeng Retto, or "Phra Kru Nyanvilat" of Wat Khao Bandai It in Phetchaburi, was a celebrated monk. In 1963, disciples commissioned his first medal series to commemorate his promotion to the monastic rank and his 82nd birthday. The oval medal features a loop, measuring 2.6 centimeters wide and 3.4 centimeters long, in darkened copper and silver. The front displays a centered half-length image with stamped numerals "2503" on the upper left and "Age 82 Years" on the right, with "Phra Kru Nyanvilat (Daeng)" inscribed below. The back features Buddhist virtues inscribed in Khmer script and a four-directional yantra at center. This rare and highly sought-after medal is now scarce.
