Truemag

Menu
  • What’s it Worth?
      • US Coin Values WorthU.S. Coin Values
      • 1943-copper-centU.S. Error Coin Values
      • Paper Money Values WorthU.S. Paper Money Values
      • Paper Money Error ValuesU. S. Paper Money Error Values
      • Philippines Coin Values WorthPhilippines Coin Values
    • Close
  • Sell Your Coins
    • Sell Your Coins
    • CoinSite Buyers FAQ
    • Truth in the Coin Shop
    • Should I get my coin collection appraised?
    • Close
  • Gold & Silver
    • U.S. Gold Coins
    • Bullion Gold/Silver
    • Territorial/Fractional Gold
    • Silver
    • U.S. Silver Coins: When They Ended and What They’re Worth
    • Morgan Silver Dollars
    • Close
  • U.S. Coins
    • U.S. Coins & Currency
      • U.S. Cents
      • U.S. Nickels
      • U.S. Dimes, Quarters & Half Dollars
      • U.S. Dollars
      • U.S. Gold Coins
      • Close
    • Exceptional U.S. Coins
    • U.S. Classic Commemoratives & Government Sets
    • History of U.S. Coins
      • The History of U.S. Coins
      • Commemoratives
      • Close
    • United States Paper Money
    • Close
  • World Coins
    • World Coins & Paper Money
    • World Coins – History
    • Selected World Coin Articles
        • North America
          • U.S. Coins & Currency
          • Exceptional U.S. Coins
          • Colonial America
          • Canada
          • Close
        • Europe
          • France
          • Great Britain
          • Spain/ Spanish Colonial/ Latin America
          • Italy/Vatican
          • Germany/Austria
          • Close
        • Australia
        • Asia/Middle East
        • Close
      • Close
    • Close
  • Coin Doc
    • Articles & Opinions
    • Ask the Coin Doc
    • Coin Doc’s Archives
    • Numismatically Speaking
    • General
    • Close
  • Exceptional Coins
    • Exceptional U.S. Coins
    • Close
  • Errors
  • Cleaning Coins
  • Fun Coin Q&A
  • FAQ
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Valuing Coins
    • Coin Grading
    • U.S. Gold Coins
    • United States Paper Money
    • Coins in General
    • Resources

Baht or Tical ball-shaped silver “bullet” coins

Joseph P. writes: I was recently in Laos and purchased a set of solid silver balls of different sizes which were said to be old Lao currency. They came with a solid silver “boat” tray with Chinese characters which is almost certainly recently made. However, the coinage does not bear Lao characters that I am aware of, but these silver balls (with a slit running through one half the sphere like a nectarine) do have relatively simple patterns, the number which seem to increase with the weight of the ball. I’ve seen similar silver coins from China, but know almost nothing about these. Any insight?

The ball shaped silver coins with turned-in ends is properly Siamese and are of the denominations Baht or Tical. These “bullet” coins were made from the 14th century to the late 19th century. The marking’s usually are guaranteeing stamps but they may show denomination too. I don’t recollect this type of currency being native to Laos. Possibly one of our readers could elaborate further.

Dec 10, 2013coindoc
Database code system that is unique to every coin?Why does the color of classic U.S. gold coins look different than modern U.S. bullion coins?
You Might Also Like
 
AH 1202 (1787) India-Bengal One Mohur
 
1732 Dutch East India Company duit
coindoc
7 years ago World Coins & CurrencyAsia/Middle East0
The Coindoc's MOST POPULAR
  1. U.S. Silver Coins: When They Ended and What They’re Worth
  2. U.S. Coin Values
  3. How much do the cent, nickel & quarter each weigh?
  4. When did Canada stop minting coins in silver?
  5. Is there any history or special meaning behind Lincoln facing right on the cent?
  6. United States $20 Gold Pieces
  7. What’s on the back of an ordinary dime?
  8. U.S. Error Coin Values
  9. Why is the dime smaller than the nickel?
Menu
  • U.S. Coin Values
  • Sell Coins
  • U.S. Coin History
  • Exceptional Coins
  • FAQ
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Privacy

 

2020 © CoinSite