Coin collecting, the hobby of kings.

oldcameoproofsguy

I just realized that I know very little about the King of Siam, his collection and some of the history of this guy. Why was the United States presenting this guy with all these rare coins? What are some of the highlights of his collection? Did he shellac his 1804 dollar? Why Siam?

michael

hi there mike siam was a country in southeast asia now known as thailand and the big powers back then like germany france england russia were vieing for trade acceptance and ports to establish trade and for their warships so the USA sent a trade emmensary with a set of the USA current coins but since it was 1834 there were no silver dollars the principal foreign trading coin for many countries and the usa had a set made in proof in 1834 including the 1804 dollar and ten dollar gold piece which also was not currently being produced so they made the last year which was the date 1804 for the ten and the silver dollar! for presentation to the king of siam as a small gift i guess anyone likes gold and silver coins!......lol they did manage to get it to him!! i believe it was rama III that was the ruler also the foreign powers really wanted siam as it stands as the only country in southeast asia that was never colonized by the european powers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

sincerely michael the thai were smart and negoiated treaties with the english for trade and to keep their rule and soventerty and by the close of the 19 century also negoiated a treaty to remain independant guaranteed by a french accord!

sincerely michael

nwcs

Great history there, Michael! It would be interesting to investigate those things further.