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Siam-Thailand ceramic porcelain notgelds coins tokens
Locally called PEI, PEE, HONG, most often thick discs made of
white porcelain used for games by the Chinese aristocracy in Siam. The beginning
of the issue of porcelain coins dates back to 1760 (according to Haas) or 1821
(according to Schlegel). These tokens, however, were not used in the most
popular game in China, mah-jong, but mainly in the game called Fantan (today
known as the card equivalent of dominoes). Initially, these discs were used to
count winnings. Casino owners of the so-called The Hongs exchanged these tokens
for money. Subsequent issues of these tokens were approved for circulation as a
normal means of payment in city districts where gaming centers were located.
Some of them had inscriptions about convertibility into gold, images of animals,
numerical values, or names of issuers.
Unfortunately, porcelain coins were often counterfeited, so new
issues were issued with different quantities, colors and
inscriptions.
Their value was often given in Chinese or Siamese on the
reverse.
By edict of King Rama IV in 1875, the issuance of porcelain
tokens was prohibited, while metal tokens were introduced.
However, for a long period after the edict appeared, porcelain
coins were eagerly collected and used as a normal means of
payment.
Original token from Siam. Weight 5.03g, 24.3mm,
thickness. 6.0mm
In total, the number of different types of porcelain coins
issued is estimated at about 8,000 pieces. The peak of monetary
circulation in porcelain coins dates back to 1850.
In fact, the entire period of the reign of Rama III - Nangklao
(1824-1851) was a fascination with porcelain. The heritage of
this monarch is the technique of decorating temples with pieces
of Chinese porcelain. For example, the temple of Wat Arun in
Bangkok received such an original decoration.
One of the first studies of this type of coins is the
catalog of Henry Alexander Ramsden (1872/1915) from 1911
(reprint from 1977) "Siamese porcelain and Other Token". Another
interesting item is Ralf Althoff's catalog of the Köhler
collection located in the Stadt Kultur Museum in Duisburg. The
catalog contains 54 boards with 1,300 porcelain coins. Here is
an example of one with arrays.
Auction Bangkok 2007- quotes: