Reginald Le May (–1972)

The Coinage of Siam, written for the Journal of the Siam Society, appears in JSS Vol 25.1 (1932) and is accessible through the Society's online archives. This is an excellent starting point for those with an interest in older Thai currencies and briefly touches upon northern Thai currencies along with focusing on Pot Duang, or "Bullet Coins" from the Sukhothai and Ayutthaya periods. Pot Duang are small silver globes of folded silver (which look like bullets or perhaps cowrie shells) which are then stamped with symbols indicating the reign/time period of their issue. This work provides a large sampling of symbols stamped on these coins which will allow collectors to begin identifying the origin of bullet coins in their collection. The work also discusses the manufacture of the coins as well as a brief excursion into coins that Le May identifies as forgeries. With access to royal support and a large collection of early Siamese (Thai) currency, Le May's work along with other articles available through the Siam Society is an excellent starting place for those interested in numismatics, Thai currency, and history.… (meer)