Rare Thai Buddhist Amulets and Coins From Historic Temples Detailed

"We must first make ourselves a reliable refuge," teaches Luang Pho Cha Supatto of Wat Nong Pa Pong in Ubon Ratchathani.

"Luang Pu Thong Suk Sanyamo," former abbot of Wat Sra Kaew in Kosum Phisai District, Mahasarakham Province, has a popular sacred object among amulet collectors: the "Luang Pu Thong Suk Egg-Shaped Coin, Buddhist Era 2541 (1998)." Wat Sra Kaew, together with disciples, created this coin to offer on the occasion of his royal promotion to the ecclesiastical rank of Phra Khru Rattanasaraphiwat, serving as district-level preceptor. The coin is egg-shaped with suspension loops, limited to no more than 3,000 pieces. The front has a raised border with dotted edges, a central half-body portrait of Luang Pu Thong Suk, and the inscription "Phra Khru Rattanasaraphiwat" below. The reverse reads "Wat Sra Kaew, Tambon Pho Ngam" curving from right to left along the top, "Amphoe Kosum Phisai, Changwat Mahasarakham" along the bottom, with a sacred yantra in the center. This is another rare coin from the region.

Looking back to Buddhist Era 2554 (2011), "Luang Pho Phra Attasanto," a renowned meditation master and former abbot of Wat Kok Dok Mai in Tambon Dong Khon, Srak Buri District, Chai Nat Province, created a Phra Sangkajjai amulet to give to disciples and Buddhists for wearing. The amulet is fully gold-plated, made of sacred powder with no border on the front. The center features a raised Phra Sangkajjai seated in diamond posture meditation. The reverse bears a metta (loving-kindness) yantra covered by the master's image, with a small gold-faced Phra Pidta (Buddha covering eyes) affixed on top. Luang Pho Phra performed solo consecrations annually from the 2011 rains retreat through 2017, when he removed them from his kuti to distribute to disciples. The amulet has a distinctive appearance, reflecting Luang Pho Phra's dedicated creation and consecration.

Phra Buddha Chinnasi Coin

Phra Buddha Chinnasi is a revered Buddha image of the city. The Phra Buddha Chinnasi coin, also called "Grandfather Coin," was created in Buddhist Era 2440 (1897) and is Thailand's first Buddha coin. Built by Wat Bowonniwet Vihara in Bangkok, King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) graciously ordered its creation as a memento of his return from a European tour. This coin has two forms: a round coin with loops featuring a bodhi leaf at the center, and a bodhi-leaf shaped coin, the latter being more commonly found and popular. It is leaf-shaped without stem or suspension hole, with serrated edges, and is considered the oldest Buddha amulet coin.

In Buddhist Era 2546 (2003), "Phra Khru Pathumchaikij" or "Luang Pu Na Thitpanyo," abbot of Wat Pathum Tharam (Nong Bua) in Wat Sing District, Chai Nat Province, aged 88, permitted the creation of sacred objects to celebrate his birthday, called the "Rich in Wealth, Rich in Status" edition. These were created as pump-shaped coins, some with loops and some without, in multiple sacred materials.

Luang Pu Na Coin

The coin is egg-shaped. The front has a double border with a central half-body portrait of Luang Pu Na in monastic robes. Below the upper border is Thai script "Phra Khru Pathumchaikij (Luang Pu Na) 88 Years" and above the lower border "Rich in Wealth, Rich in Status." The reverse also has a double border with a central single heart-shaped betel leaf bearing a yantra with a globe at its center, surrounded by Khmer script. Below the upper border reads "Wat Pathum Tharam (Nong Bua), Amphoe Wat Sing, Changwat Chai Nat," and above the lower border "B.E. 2546." This is another valuable coin for collection.

Ariya Phethiangtham [email protected]