About The First Commemorative Medal of the Reign of King Rama V (S Ph P M Ch 5)
Compiled from partner sources; under review and editing by our team.
Translated from Thai by AI and not yet reviewed by our team. Names and royal titles may need correction.
History
The S Ph P M Ch 5 medal was an award medal presented to those who decorated illuminated arches (sum fai) in the palace for a competition held in celebration of the King's birthday in 1870 (B.E. 2413), when His Majesty was 17 years old. It is regarded as the first commemorative medal of the reign of King Rama V. According to the historical accounts, it was awarded in gilt, silver and copper. There is no clear evidence of how many were ordered to be made, but the number is presumed to have been small. According to the notes of Dr. Smith, the copper version, which was probably the third-class prize, was struck in only 20 pieces. The inscription S Ph P M Ch 5 stands for "Somdet Phra Paramintara Maha Chulalongkorn, Rama V". On the obverse is a repoussé design of the Phra Kiao enshrined above a phan waen fa, flanked on both sides by five-tiered umbrellas.
This medal is quite rare because so few were made, so caution is needed when collecting it, as there are a considerable number of forgeries on the market. One natural characteristic of this medal is that the raised letters S Ph P M Ch 5 show fine slivers (burr-like lines) along both the top and the sides, which some call "Fine Line", and the edge shows the character of a cylinder-type (collar) strike.
The image below is a mural painting in the Phra Thinang Song Phanuat (Ordination Hall) at Wat Benchamabophit, showing the decoration of illuminated arches (pratip sum fai) for the birthday celebration competition in the early years of the reign of King Rama V.
Design
- Obverse
- A repoussé design of the Phra Chula Mongkut (the Phra Kiao, a royal diadem) enshrined above a phan waen fa (a tiered stand), flanked by five-tiered umbrellas. Below is a ribbon-shaped banner inscribed with the Chula Sakarat (C.S.) year of production, "๑๒๓๒" (1232).
- Reverse
- The royal cipher in raised letters, "ส พ ป ม จ" (S Ph P M Ch), crossed above "๕" (5), signifying the royal name "Somdet Phra Paramintara Maha Chulalongkorn, Rama V".
