This is the first ever book about Thai coins and ethnographic monies in English. It covers the time period from the earliest proto-state up to the introduction of the baht currency system. It describes the development of Thai money through a continuous economic-historical review with excerpts from a variety of sources, including the Sukhothai inscriptions, the Royal Chronicles of Ayutthaya, the records of individual Dutch, French and Portuguese travellers and unpublished documents from the Royal Archive. Also featured are over 1,000 specimens of the coins which have circulated in modern-day Thailand and its tributary states. Included are a selection of Thai documents from Rama IV's reign dealing with the emission of new currency, counterfeits and money reforms. SELLING POINTS First ever book in English, on Siamese coins Richly illustrated with over 1,000 coins, as well as Sukhothai inscriptions and previously unpublished material from the Royal Archive Comes in a beautiful slipcase, with a specially minted limited edition coin on cover of book and a CD featuring additional images 500 colour illustrations