When talking about ancient Thai coins, we can’t look over the trade relationship between India and Thailand. The relation between Thailand and India had a long history which reflects the impact of Thai Coins on India.
Ancient Thai coins were widely used in Thailand until King Rama V abolished the use of money in 1892.
Thailand and India maintained a long-standing trade relationship that began a few centuries ago. When discussing Thai Coins History, we can’t help but recall the many influences from India all throughout history.
What are Thai Coins and how they relate with India
Thai coins have a long and interesting history that is closely intertwined with the history of India. Thai coins were first introduced during the 13th century when Thailand was under the rule of the Khmer Empire. The Khmer Empire, which was based in present-day Cambodia, had a strong influence over Thailand and other parts of Southeast Asia. Thai coins were modeled after the coins of the Khmer Empire and were made from a mixture of bronze and silver.
During the 14th century, Thailand came under the rule of the Sukhothai Kingdom. The Sukhothai Kingdom was a powerful kingdom that controlled much of present-day Thailand. Under the Sukhothai Kingdom, Thai coins continued to be made from a mixture of bronze and silver. However, the composition of Thai coins began to change during this period. A larger percentage of silver was used in Thai coins during the Sukhothai Kingdom than during the Khmer Empire.
During the 15th century, Thailand came under the rule of the Ayutthaya Kingdom. The Ayutthaya Kingdom was even more powerful than the Sukhothai Kingdom and controlled all of present-day Thailand as well as parts of Laos, Myanmar, and Cambodia
Origin of the Coins in Thailand
The first coins used in Thailand were imported from China and India. These early coins were made of bronze and copper and had a square hole in the centre. Thai coins history is closely related to the history of India, as Indian traders and merchants travelled through Thailand en route to China. Coins from India would sometimes end up in Thailand, and vice versa.
During the 13th century, the first Thai coins were minted. These coins were based on the designs of Chinese coins, but with some modifications. For example, Thai coins typically had a lower weight than Chinese coins. In addition, Thai coins often featured animals or flowers on their reverse side, while Chinese coins typically featured characters from the Chinese zodiac.
During the 14th and 15th centuries, Thai coinage underwent a period of significant change. The kingdom of Ayutthaya (located in present-day Thailand) began minting its own silver coins, known as tical. Tical were roughly the same size and weight as Chinese silver dollars, but they featured different designs. On the obverse side of the tical was usually a depiction of a Buddhist deity, while the reverse side featured a design that was unique to Ayutthaya.
Thai Coins Relations with India
The history of Thai coins is closely related to the history of India. Indian traders brought silver and gold coins to Thailand as early as the 1st century AD, and these were used in trade and for making purchases. The first Thai coins were minted in the 13th century, and they were modeled after the Indian coins of that time.
Thai coins continued to be influenced by Indian coinage throughout the centuries, with many different designs being used that were based on Indian prototypes.
Impact on Thailand
The history of Thai coins is fascinating, and it has had a profound impact on the country. For centuries, Thailand was part of the larger Indian cultural sphere, and its coins reflect this influence. Indian coins were introduced to Thailand in the 13th century, and they quickly became popular. Thai coins began to imitate Indian designs, and many of the features on Thai coins can be traced back to their Indian origins.
The most obvious example of this is the elephant motif that is found on many Thai coins. This design element was borrowed from India, where elephants are considered to be sacred animals. Thai coins also feature other animals that are important in Hindu iconography, such as lions and bulls.
In addition to their designs, Thai coins also adopted the Indian system of weights and measures. This made it easier for trade between the two countries, and it helped to solidify Thailand’s place within the larger Indian cultural sphere.
The history of Thai coins is a complex and fascinating story. It is clear that they have been heavily influenced by India, and this influence can be seen in both their design and their function.
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