A rare 10-baht Thai coin minted in 1990 has sold for 2.54 million baht at an online auction, despite its face value being just 10 baht.
Coin expert and collector Natthakorn Akkaramanee secured the commemorative coin after 52 bids in an auction lasting 10 minutes and 39 seconds. The final price exceeded the coin's market value.
The sale was the inaugural auction held through the Treasury Coin Market, an electronic platform launched by the Treasury Department on August 24 to sell collectable coins and promote Thai coins as real-world assets.
One of Thailand's rarest coin issues
The coin was made for the 16th Mint Directors Conference, held in the United Kingdom in 1990. Only 100 examples were produced, making it one of Thailand's rarest circulating coin issues.
It was also Thailand's first bimetallic coin made for circulation.
Most of the coins did not enter public circulation. Eight are held by the Mint Museum, while 34 were used for displays or distributed at overseas exhibitions. The remaining coins have stayed in storage.
The Treasury Department said the coin has received an MS 66 grade, the highest grade recorded for a Thai circulating coin.
Treasury Department Director-General Akarut Sonthayanon said the 1990 issue had been chosen for the new platform's first sale because of its rarity and historical significance.
What collectors in Thailand should know
For foreigners living in Thailand with an interest in numismatics, the result underlines that ordinary-looking Thai change can have substantial collector value - although this particular 1990 coin is exceptionally scarce and should not be confused with standard 10-baht pieces in circulation.
The Treasury Coin Market is intended to provide an official electronic route for auctions of collectable Thai coins. It is scheduled to hold sales on the 17th of each month, with rare gold coins among the items planned for future auctions.
The platform's launch may be of interest to overseas collectors and expats seeking Thai coinage, though buyers should check auction requirements, payment arrangements and any rules affecting the movement of collectable items abroad before bidding.
Picture courtesy of the Treasury Department
Join the discussion? 
27 August 2026
Recommended Comments
Create an account or sign in to comment