Minted for His Majesty

The Royal Canadian Mint and the Canadian Embassy in Thailand are marking the auspicious occasion of His Majesty the King’s 88th birthday this year as well as the close relationship between the two countries, with a collection of celebratory medallions.
The medallions, which are designed on the concept “Love and Loyalty Never End” are available in three variations: the Gold Medallion, made from 99.99-per-cent gold, the Silver Medallion, and the Alloy Medallion as well in a set containing all three. Proceeds after expenses will be presented to His Majesty for charitable deeds at His Majesty’s pleasure.
The designs, for which royal permission was sought and granted, boast unique features made all the more outstanding thanks to Canada’s state-of-the-art minting process. The front has an engraved image of His Majesty, while the back shows the King’s initials, the Thai letters “Phor Por Ror”, placed under the Royal Crown. Also on the medallion is the figure 88, considered an auspicious number. The number eight resembles the infinity sign, which signifies His Majesty’s timeless and endless place in the heart of the Thai people.
Canadian ambassador Philip Calvert tells XP that the initial idea for the project was born two years ago as a way of reflecting the strength of the relationship between the two countries and to also commemorate His Majesty’s birthday.
“The Royal Canadian Mint came up with the design and the Canadian embassy helped with a wide range of activities. This is a very special event,” he says.
Jocelyn Desy, managing director of the Mint’s sales business-to-business, which covers numismatic, bullion and refinery, adds that the Royal Canadian Mint is unique in terms of its security and durability standards. In the late 1990s, it introduced multi-ply plated steel technology and continues to raise the bar by patenting new single and multilayer plating processes for both white and yellow circulation coins.
“The challenge for our artisans was to design something that appeals and resonates with the Thai people. Our designer has managed to replicate the art of Thai stripe painting and computer advancements assisted in engraving and magnifying,” Desy adds.
“The distinctive feature of the
 medallions is that they have two portraits of His Majesty the King. That by itself is meaningful. I don’t think this design has ever been produced. Also it offers a very different perspective of the Thai stripe. The design
 has been approved by the Royal Household. The Royal Canadian Mint was entrusted a few years ago with the production of the B1 coin but as far as I recall, this is the first time the Mint has been involved with the project for the King. Such a project allows our artisans to learn about new cultures and new designs, and helps us grow too. The real challenge was ensuring that the design resonates with the Thai people, even young collectors.”
The Gold Medallion is 20mm in diameter and weighs 7.8 grams. It is priced at Bt29,888 and comes in a transparent plastic capsule with a box and a production certificate. Just 1,988 medallions are available.
The Silver Medallion is 34mm in diameter and weighs 15.87g. Also housed in a transparent plastic capsule with a box and a production certificate, there are 19,988 medallions on sale, each priced at Bt2,988.
The Alloy Medallion is 35mm in diameter, weighs 13.5g and comes in a paper folder. Priced at Bt488, 199,988 medallions are available.
A collection of the three medallions housed in a transparent plastic capsule and a box, with a production certificate is priced at Bt32,988. Only 988 sets are on sale.

 
Box:
Marvellous medallions
Reservations can be made at Bangkok Bank, Siam Commercial Bank, Thanachart Bank and online at www.88KingMedal.com
Find out more at (02) 108 8999.
The medallions will be sent by mail to buyers from November 1 to December 31.