OT - ober rare and way cool

[fogie]

Here is $$$ from the Chiang Mai are of Thailand from about 1275 A.D. It is called clam shell money, Jiang Money, kakime or tamerlung (and a bunch of other things I am sure...). The first specimen is quite normal and while rare - can be found at large shows on occasion, the second specimen is the uber rare piece. This piece is the Plate coin from Kneedler's book on northern Thailand/Siam ancient money. The authenticity was considered dubious by some until one was discovered in a vault in India (3000-4000 miles away!) that had been sealed since ~1300 A.D.. (the vault was under a Buddist temple the had been accused of mishandleing it's funds and was court ordered to disclose it's financial position. In doing said disclosure it opened 7(or 8?) of 11 sealed vaults under the temple. They were then ask to stop as the treasure uncovered at that point exceeded the amount of money INDIA spent on education in a year! The government did not have the resources to protect the pile of goodies. I would have loved to volunteer a year or so to cataloging the haul.

Tamlung-1.jpg (78.52 KiB) Viewed 928 times

Tamlung-2.jpg (68.39 KiB) Viewed 928 times

Tamlung-3.jpg (73.42 KiB) Viewed 928 times

Tamlung-4.jpg (79.77 KiB) Viewed 928 times

Tamlung-5.jpg (82.79 KiB) Viewed 928 times

[LateDateMorganGuy]

The 2nd one looks like, well, some sort of manhood thingie.

[fogie]

exactly!

[LateDateMorganGuy]

Looks kinda small. Can you out a tape measure up to it?

[CascadeChris]

Holy hell, that is quite the neat piece.. Looks more like a Chinese Penis Fish (real thing) than it does a clamshell though

[collectinsince65]

Very cool Fogie! I have an appreciation for Siam coinage. Have never seen anything like your images.

[vamnuke]

[iwillbenice]

What grade is it.

[DHalladay]

It is quite inevitable that this thread will veer into adolescent territory.

[CascadeChris]

It is quite inevitable that this thread will veer into adolescent territory.

Going off of the cryptic way he worded it when he was telling me about the coin and to go check out the pics, he's fully aware of the poof possibility of this thread

@fogie so is that the one found in the ancient vault, and you own it now or a different one? Cant believe I'm even asking that but with you it's a valid question

[DHalladay]

You mean this isn't from Vietnam?
(Look up what that nation's currency name is.)

[Kurt28]

Suddenly I need one of these.
Preferably the one without the phallus.
Thanks for sharing.

[Longstrider]

It is beautiful and it does look a bit phallic. I can't believe I just used that word. Is it in two pieces that, well, come together?
Believe it or not there is a Buddhist temple, "Wat Santi" at the beginning of the dirt road to my house in Landers, CA. High Desert and they are from a sect of Forrest Monks from Thailand. Great neighbors. Thanks, that is very cool.