Rian Phra Kaew Morakot Nur Thong Daeng BE2475 150th Rattanakosin Anniversary Wat Phra Sri Rattana Satsadaram (Wat Phra Kaew)

Rian Phra Kaew Morakot Nur Thong Daeng BE2475 – 150th Rattanakosin Anniversary

Sacred Emerald Buddha Medallion | Commemorative Royal Temple Issue | Wat Phra Sri Rattana Satsadaram (Wat Phra Kaew), Bangkok

ROYAL TEMPLE COMMEMORATIVE ISSUE | 150TH BANGKOK ANNIVERSARY MEDALLION

Rian Phra Kaew Morakot Nur Thong Daeng BE2475 – Sacred copper medallion commemorating the 150th Anniversary of Rattanakosin establishment, issued by Wat Phra Kaew, Thailand's most sacred royal temple.

Archaeological Provenance & Historical Significance

The Rian Phra Kaew Morakot BE2475 represents one of the most historically significant commemorative medallion issues in modern Thai Buddhist numismatics. Produced in BE2475 (1932 CE) to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the Rattanakosin Era—marking a century and a half since King Rama I established Bangkok as Siam's capital in BE2325 (1782 CE)—this medallion embodies both profound national significance and exceptional spiritual consecration from Thailand's preeminent royal temple.

The sesquicentennial anniversary in 1932 coincided with a pivotal moment in Thai history, occurring during the reign of King Prajadhipok (Rama VII) and marking the transition toward constitutional monarchy. Despite political transformations, the commemorative medallion production at Wat Phra Sri Rattana Satsadaram (commonly known as Wat Phra Kaew or the Temple of the Emerald Buddha) symbolized continuity of Thai Buddhist monarchy and cultural heritage across fifteen decades of the Chakri dynasty.

The medallion's iconography centers upon the Phra Kaew Morakot (Emerald Buddha), Thailand's most sacred Buddha image and palladium of the kingdom. By depicting this paramount religious object, the BE2475 medallion creation transcended mere commemorative function, becoming a spiritually potent talisman imbued with the protective power associated with the Emerald Buddha itself. The production methodology employed Nur Thong Daeng (sacred copper alloy), a traditional material prized in Thai amulet craftsmanship for its durability, spiritual receptivity, and characteristic reddish-golden patina development.

Obverse aspect displaying the sacred Phra Kaew Morakot (Emerald Buddha) iconography in meticulous relief casting, characteristic of royal temple medallion production standards from the BE2475 sesquicentennial celebration.

Wat Phra Kaew: Thailand's Supreme Royal Temple

Wat Phra Sri Rattana Satsadaram, universally known as Wat Phra Kaew or the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, occupies an unparalleled position within Thai religious and cultural hierarchy. Located within the Grand Palace complex in Bangkok, this royal temple serves as the spiritual epicenter of Thai Buddhism and repository of the nation's most sacred Buddha image—the Phra Kaew Morakot (Emerald Buddha), a 66-centimeter jadeite Buddha statue believed to possess supernatural protective powers over the Thai kingdom.

Constructed beginning in BE2325 (1782) under King Rama I immediately following Bangkok's establishment as the new capital, Wat Phra Kaew represented the spiritual foundation of the Rattanakosin era. The temple's architectural magnificence, housing the Emerald Buddha captured from Laos in 1778, symbolized both religious legitimacy and political authority of the Chakri dynasty. Unlike typical Thai temples, Wat Phra Kaew contains no residential quarters for monks, functioning exclusively as a royal chapel for ceremonial purposes and as the home of Thailand's paramount Buddha image.

The production of commemorative medallions at Wat Phra Kaew carried exceptional spiritual significance due to the temple's status and the Emerald Buddha's presence. Sacred objects created here underwent consecration protocols of unmatched potency, with blessing ceremonies conducted before the Emerald Buddha itself and incorporating accumulated spiritual power from continuous royal ceremonies and monastic practices spanning decades. The BE2475 sesquicentennial medallions benefited from these extraordinary circumstances, receiving empowerment believed to connect wearers with the Emerald Buddha's protective influence.

Reverse aspect revealing commemorative inscriptions, royal temple markings, and the characteristic patina development of authentic Nur Thong Daeng copper alloy composition aged over nine decades.

Materials, Craftsmanship & Technical Specifications

Amulet Type:	Rian (Commemorative Medallion)
Primary Material:	Nur Thong Daeng (Sacred Copper Alloy)
Composition:	High-grade copper with trace sacred metals, blessed during casting process
Production Method:	Precision die-striking or lost-wax casting with hand-finishing
Iconographic Elements:	Obverse: Phra Kaew Morakot (Emerald Buddha); Reverse: Commemorative inscriptions and temple markings
Consecration Year:	BE2475 (1932 CE)
Issuing Authority:	Wat Phra Sri Rattana Satsadaram (Wat Phra Kaew), Royal Grand Palace, Bangkok
Historical Context:	150th Anniversary of Rattanakosin Era (Bangkok establishment)
Age:	92 years old (as of 2024)
Preservation State:	Excellent condition with authentic age-appropriate patina

The Nur Thong Daeng material designation indicates this medallion's composition from sacred copper alloy, a traditional medium in Thai Buddhist metalwork prized for both practical and spiritual properties. Copper's malleability facilitated intricate iconographic detail reproduction, while its natural oxidation processes created the characteristic reddish-golden patina that collectors recognize as authentication of genuine antiquity. Royal temple workshops carefully controlled alloy formulations, incorporating trace amounts of sacred metals and blessed materials to enhance spiritual receptivity.

Production methodology for the BE2475 commemorative medallions employed advanced metalworking techniques available in early 1930s Siam. Evidence suggests either precision die-striking using engraved steel dies or sophisticated lost-wax casting processes, both supervised by master craftsmen (chang thong) under royal temple authority. Each medallion underwent meticulous hand-finishing to ensure iconographic clarity and aesthetic refinement appropriate to royal temple standards.

The obverse iconography reproduces the Phra Kaew Morakot in remarkable detail, capturing the Emerald Buddha's distinctive features including the meditation posture, flame-like ushnisha (cranial protuberance), and elegant proportions that characterize this paramount Buddha image. Reverse inscriptions typically include commemorative text referencing the 150th Rattanakosin anniversary, temple identification, and possibly BE2475 dating, though specific inscription content varies among different sub-varieties within the commemorative issue.

Historical Purpose & Cultural Significance

The production of Rian Phra Kaew Morakot medallions for the BE2475 sesquicentennial served multiple interconnected purposes within Thai national, religious, and cultural contexts:

National Commemoration

Celebrating 150 years of Bangkok as Thailand's capital and commemorating the establishment of the Rattanakosin era under the Chakri dynasty, reinforcing national identity and historical continuity during a period of significant political transformation.

Religious Devotion & Spiritual Connection

Providing devotees with sacred objects bearing the image of Thailand's most revered Buddha statue, creating spiritual connection to the Emerald Buddha's protective power for those unable to personally access the royal temple regularly.

Royal Temple Financial Support

Distribution of commemorative medallions generated essential funding for Wat Phra Kaew's maintenance, preservation of royal ceremonial traditions, and support of religious activities at Thailand's preeminent royal temple.

Cultural Heritage Preservation

Creating durable commemorative objects that would preserve memory of the sesquicentennial anniversary for future generations, serving as tangible historical artifacts documenting this significant milestone in Thai national history.

Lateral profile revealing the medallion's relief depth, edge finishing characteristics, and natural copper patina development consistent with authentic BE2475 royal temple production standards.

Traditional Spiritual Attributes & Metaphysical Properties

Within traditional Thai Buddhist belief systems and cultural practices surrounding the Emerald Buddha's veneration, the Rian Phra Kaew Morakot BE2475 has been ascribed the following spiritual qualities and protective functions:

Kong Krapan Chatri (Divine Protection & Invulnerability)

Comprehensive protection against physical dangers, accidents, and malevolent influences. Traditional belief holds that medallions bearing the Emerald Buddha's image channel the palladium's protective power, creating a spiritual shield around the wearer through connection to Thailand's most sacred Buddha image.

Maha Amnaj (Great Authority & Commanding Presence)

Enhancement of personal authority, leadership capabilities, and commanding presence in professional and social contexts. Associated with the royal power symbolized by the Emerald Buddha's status as Thailand's palladium, facilitating respect and influence in hierarchical situations.

Metta Maha Niyom (Universal Loving-Kindness & Favor)

Cultivation of interpersonal harmony, charismatic appeal, and attraction of beneficial relationships. Facilitates support from influential figures, authorities, and nobility, opening doors to professional advancement and social opportunities through enhanced personal magnetism.

Choke Lap & Maha Lap (Fortune & Prosperity)

Attraction of beneficial opportunities, financial growth, business success, and material prosperity. The Emerald Buddha's historical association with kingdom prosperity extends to personal fortune enhancement for medallion wearers, facilitating smooth commercial transactions and wealth accumulation.

National Protection & Patriotic Connection

Connection to Thai national identity and cultural heritage through the Emerald Buddha's status as palladium of the kingdom. Wearing this medallion symbolizes devotion to Thai Buddhist monarchy traditions and participation in national cultural continuity spanning the Rattanakosin era.

Note: The spiritual attributes described represent traditional Thai Buddhist cultural beliefs and historical veneration practices associated with the Emerald Buddha and royal temple consecrations. These medallions are valued as objects of religious devotion, commemorative historical artifacts, and collectible examples of Thai Buddhist material culture produced during significant national celebrations. Individual experiences may vary, and these medallions should be understood within their appropriate cultural, historical, and religious context.

Rarity Assessment & Collector Significance

RARE ROYAL TEMPLE COMMEMORATIVE | HISTORICAL SESQUICENTENNIAL ISSUE

Supreme Temple Provenance: Production by Wat Phra Kaew—Thailand's most sacred royal temple and home of the Emerald Buddha—confers exceptional spiritual and collectible significance. Royal temple medallions command premium valuations due to their association with Thailand's paramount Buddhist sanctuary and the rigorous consecration protocols conducted before the nation's palladium.

Historical Milestone Commemoration: The BE2475 (1932) sesquicentennial anniversary represented a pivotal moment in Thai national history, celebrating 150 years of Bangkok as capital during a period of significant political transformation toward constitutional monarchy. Commemorative medallions from this historically significant year possess exceptional documentary value beyond their religious function.

Emerald Buddha Iconography: Medallions bearing the Phra Kaew Morakot image carry unique significance among Thai Buddhist amulets due to the Emerald Buddha's unparalleled status as Thailand's most sacred Buddha image and national palladium. This iconographic connection elevates the BE2475 medallion above ordinary temple productions.

Advanced Age & Survival Rate: At over 92 years old, surviving specimens from the BE2475 issue have endured nearly a century of wear, environmental exposure, and potential loss. Well-preserved examples demonstrating authentic age-appropriate patina without significant damage represent increasingly scarce opportunities for collectors of early 20th-century Thai Buddhist numismatics.

Limited Original Distribution: Royal temple commemorative medallions were produced in controlled quantities for specific ceremonial contexts and distribution to select devotees, royal household members, and distinguished participants in anniversary celebrations. This limited original mintage restricts available supply compared to mass-produced commercial temple amulets.

Authentication Challenges: The prestige associated with Wat Phra Kaew medallions has spawned numerous modern reproductions and forgeries. Authentic BE2475 specimens demonstrate specific metallurgical characteristics, iconographic details, inscription styles, and patina development patterns that knowledgeable collectors use for verification. Genuine examples with documented provenance command substantial premiums.

Cultural Heritage Significance: Beyond religious and collectible dimensions, BE2475 commemorative medallions represent important artifacts of Thai cultural heritage, documenting material culture practices, artistic traditions, and national identity expressions during a transformative period in Thai history. Museums and serious collectors recognize their value as historical documentation.

International Collector Interest: Royal temple medallions from significant historical commemorations attract serious collectors throughout Southeast Asia and internationally, particularly among Thai diaspora communities, Buddhist art specialists, and numismatic collectors focusing on Southeast Asian religious medals. This broad collector base supports strong market valuations for authenticated specimens.

Consecration Protocols & Spiritual Empowerment

The spiritual potency attributed to Rian Phra Kaew Morakot BE2475 medallions derives from elaborate consecration ceremonies conducted at Wat Phra Kaew during the sesquicentennial celebrations. These rituals incorporated several distinct empowerment protocols characteristic of supreme royal temple consecrations:

Phuttaphisek Ceremonies Before the Emerald Buddha

Consecration rituals conducted in the direct presence of the Phra Kaew Morakot, believed to transfer accumulated spiritual power from Thailand's most sacred Buddha image to the commemorative medallions through proximity and ritual invocation.

Royal Monastic Assembly Blessings

Assemblies of senior monastics, including members of the Sangha hierarchy and distinguished meditation masters, participated in extended chanting ceremonies reciting protective Pali suttas and Buddhist scriptures to establish spiritual foundations and invoke protective deities.

Royal Ceremonial Context

Consecration occurred within the broader context of royal sesquicentennial ceremonies, incorporating blessings from the royal family and ceremonial protocols that enhanced the medallions' connection to Thai monarchy and national protection traditions.

Sacred Site Empowerment

Beyond specific ritual acts, consecration within Wat Phra Kaew itself imbued medallions with accumulated spiritual energy from centuries of royal ceremonies, continuous monastic practices, and devotional activities conducted in Thailand's most sacred Buddhist sanctuary.

Conclusion: A Testament to Rattanakosin Heritage & Royal Buddhist Traditions

The Rian Phra Kaew Morakot Nur Thong Daeng BE2475 stands as an exceptional convergence of historical significance, spiritual potency, and material culture excellence. Produced during the 150th anniversary of Bangkok's establishment as Thailand's capital, this royal temple medallion embodies both the continuity of Thai Buddhist monarchy across fifteen decades and the profound devotional traditions centered upon the Emerald Buddha as the nation's paramount sacred image.

As an artifact from Wat Phra Sri Rattana Satsadaram—Thailand's most sacred royal temple—this medallion carries unparalleled spiritual credentials. The consecration protocols conducted before the Phra Kaew Morakot itself, combined with participation by royal monastic assemblies during a nationally significant commemorative celebration, created an object of extraordinary spiritual empowerment according to traditional Thai Buddhist belief systems. For devotees, wearing this medallion represents direct connection to Thailand's palladium and its associated protective power.

From a collector's perspective, the BE2475 sesquicentennial medallion represents a premier acquisition opportunity within Thai Buddhist numismatics. Its production during a pivotal historical moment—coinciding with Thailand's transition toward constitutional monarchy while celebrating Rattanakosin heritage—provides exceptional documentary value. The Nur Thong Daeng composition, displaying authentic age-appropriate patina development over more than nine decades, substantiates genuine antiquity and distinguishes this specimen from modern reproductions that challenge authentication efforts.

The iconographic focus on the Phra Kaew Morakot elevates this medallion beyond ordinary temple commemoratives. As Thailand's most revered Buddha image and national palladium, the Emerald Buddha occupies a unique position within Thai religious consciousness. Medallions bearing its image function simultaneously as devotional objects, protective talismans, expressions of national identity, and material connections to centuries of royal Buddhist traditions. This multidimensional significance ensures enduring collector interest and cultural relevance.

For serious collectors of Southeast Asian Buddhist antiquities, royal temple commemoratives, or Thai material culture, authenticated specimens from historically significant ceremonies represent increasingly valuable acquisitions. The Rian Phra Kaew Morakot BE2475, with its supreme temple provenance, sesquicentennial historical context, advanced age, and excellent preservation condition, exemplifies the convergence of devotional significance, historical documentation, and collectible rarity that defines premier Thai Buddhist numismatic material.

Whether approached as an object of spiritual devotion connecting wearers to the Emerald Buddha's protective influence, a historical artifact documenting Thailand's sesquicentennial anniversary and royal Buddhist traditions, or a collectible masterpiece of early 20th-century Thai religious metalwork, this medallion offers exceptional value across multiple dimensions of appreciation and enduring significance within Thai cultural heritage.

Related Links

• More Sacred Amulets from Wat Phra Kaew
• History of the Phra Kaew Morakot (Emerald Buddha)

Acquisition Inquiries

For detailed documentation, provenance records, and acquisition information regarding this exceptional artifact, please contact Thai Amulets Collection via WhatsApp.