1 oz 999 Fine Silver Coin – Republique du Tchad 2023 – 5000 Francs CFA – Project Management for: The Treasurists
Ramakien is Thailand’s national epic, with its origins dating back to the 13th century. The story is an adaptation of an ancient Indian tale called ‘Ramayana’, with various modifications made through the story within the Thai version. It has since become the backbone and compass of Thai culture and has been told in various forms throughout history – ranging from shadow puppet shows, and dances, to modern literature, art, and drama. The characters and stories from the epic are depicted in lavish paintings at Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha), Thailand’s most sacred Buddhist temple. The Ramakien continues to be shared and taught in schools today, encompassing lessons of virtue, trust, honor, pride, and forgiveness.
Hanuman is a key character in Thailand’s national epic, the Ramakien. As one of the most prominent figures in Thai mythology, Hanuman has become a cultural icon in Thailand, with his influence felt not only in literature but also in art, religion, and politics. In the Ramakien, Hanuman is often depicted as a humanoid figure with the head of a monkey. He is typically shown as being muscular and athletic, with long arms and a powerful build. He is often depicted wearing armor and carrying weapons, such as a mace or a bow and arrow. He is portrayed as a brave and loyal servant of Rama, the hero of the story. He is a powerful and skilled warrior, with the ability to change his size and shape at will, and he uses these abilities to help Rama in his quest to rescue his wife, Sita, from the demon king, Ravana. Hanuman’s unwavering devotion to Rama is a central theme of the Ramakien, and his actions demonstrate the importance of loyalty, courage, and selflessness. Today, Hanuman’s legacy is still felt in many aspects of Thai society. His image is frequently depicted in Thai art, such as murals and sculptures, and his stories are retold in various forms of media, including television dramas and movies. Hanuman is also revered in Thai Buddhism, where he is seen as an embodiment of the virtue of courage and an example of how devotion to a higher power can lead to enlightenment.
The Lai Thai designs in the background of this piece have a long tradition in Buddhist countries. When humans are included in the image, this is the Nari category of Lai Thai, but when animals are represented, the pattern is called Kacha. These patterns are inspired by garlands, incense smoke, candle flames, and more. The delicate, scrolling, beautiful woven patterns are one of the most recognizable features in most Buddhist art.
Through the use of a new minting technique called “Bi-Metal Reverse”, it achieves a remarkable weight and 62.5x80mm in size – making it double the size of a regular 1 oz collectible. By combining 1 oz of silver as a base with a top layer of 6 oz of copper, the result is an ultra-concave, ultra-high relief that brings out every detail to maximum effect, then finished with antiqued silver to conclude. This is a limited edition of 688 pieces only. Each piece is packaged and delivered with a Certificate verifying its edition number and authenticity.
