First Edition Amulet Coin of Venerable Ajarn Koeng Unveiled
The article presents the first‑edition commemorative amulet coin of Venerable Ajarn Koeng Adhimuttako from Wat Pho Chai in Nakhon Phanom, detailing its oval shape, various metal versions, and intricate iconography. It also covers other notable Thai temple amulets, such as those of Luang Pho Suk from Chai Nat, Luang Pho Kham Phan from Nakhon Phanom, and Luang Pho Phaim from Prachuap Khiri Khan, outlining their designs, purposes, and current popularity among collectors. Together, these pieces illustrate the enduring appeal and rarity of Thai Buddhist votive coins.
The article also details other notable amulets from across Thailand. In 2559 (2016) the famous monk Phra Kru Wimolkunakon, known as Luang Pho Suk Kesaro of Wat Pak Klong Makham Tao in Chai Nat, oversaw the creation of the ‘Luang Pho Suk Mahachatri’ coin, a rectangular piece 6.8 cm tall and 2.5 cm wide made to fund marble flooring around the temple’s ubosot. Its front bears a raised portrait of Luang Pho Suk holding a staff, while the reverse displays a Hanuman‑holding‑flag motif above layered yantras and the inscription ‘Phra Kru Wimolkunakon (Suk) Wat Pak Klong Makham Tao, Chai Nat, 2559’ with a temple code and serial number. Another highlighted piece is the first‑edition coin of Luang Pho Kham Phan Chantupamo, former abbot of Wat Siwichai in Nakhon Phanom, made in 2504 to raise funds for the restoration of Wat Phra Nau. This oval amulet shows a half‑body relief of Luang Pho Kham Phan, a small ‘3’ mark on the robe, and a reverse featuring ancient Khmer script, a replica of the Phra Nau Buddha image, and the text ‘Wat Siwichai, Nakhon Phanom 2504’. Finally, the widely collected first‑edition coin of Luang Pho Phaim Chanthochato from Wat Ko Lak in Prachuap Khiri Khan, issued in 2480 to commemorate the hoisting of the temple’s ubosot roof, is described as a semi‑circular saw‑toothed piece with a half‑body portrait of Luang Pho Phaim, the inscription ‘Phra SumethiworaKun’ above, ‘Prachuap Khiri Khan 2480’ below, and a Khmer yantra on the back. All of these amulets remain highly sought after by collectors and are becoming increasingly rare.
