Two-baht coin explained

Country:	Thailand
Denomination:	2 baht
Value:	2
Mass:	4
Diameter:	21.75
Edge:	Segmented (Plain and Reeded edges)
Years Of Minting:	2005–present
Catalog Number:	52011
Obverse Designer:	Designed by Mr Vudhichai Seangern. Sculpted by Mr Tummanoon Geawsawang.
Obverse Design Date:	2018
Reverse Design:	Royal Monogram of King Vajiralongkorn
Reverse Designer:	Designed by Mr Chaiyod Soontrapa. Sculpted by Mr Tummanoon Geawsawang.
Reverse Design Date:	2018

In Thailand, the two-baht coin is the coin which is worth 2 baht or 200 satang. The new 2-baht coin design features H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the Great on the obverse, like all other Thai legal tender coins presently in circulation. The reverse design depicts the Golden Mountain at Wat Saket Ratcha Wora Maha Wihan in Bangkok.

Before the two-baht coin entered into circulation, this denomination was used as a commemorative coin since 1979. As of 1996, there is one cupronickel and forty cupronickel-clad-copper commemorative coin series.

On September 15, 2005, the Royal Thai Mint began minting two-baht coins to complete the binary system in Thailand's coinage. That is, each successive denomination is worth twice, or roughly twice, as much as the previous one. Thai coin denominations in general circulation are now 25 satang, 50 satang, 1 baht, 2 baht, 5 baht, and 10 baht.

Recent statistics show that the one-baht coins constitute about 60% of the total coin circulation in the Thai economy. According to the Treasury Department, the issuance of the two-baht coins will solve the overwhelming demand for the one-baht coins as the two-baht coins now fill the gap between the one- and five-baht coins. This translates into savings in time and materials for the mint. The mint is considering expanding the use of multi-ply plated steel technology to other coin denominations due to volatile base metal prices and rising production costs.

On February 3, 2009, the Royal Thai Mint released the new series two-baht coin, minted in 2008, which uses aluminium bronze in place of the former nickel-clad low-carbon steel.

2005-2007 two-baht coin

The original two-baht coin was minted 2005-2007, and was the sole two-baht coin in circulation from 2005 until February 3, 2009, when the new design was released. The old design was not removed from circulation.

The obverse was designed by Mrs Phutthachat Arunwet (Thai: พุทธชาติ อรุณเวช), and sculpted by Mr Panya Khamkhen (Thai: ปัญญา คำเคน). The reverse was designed by Mr Chaiyod Soontrapa (Thai: ไชยยศ สุนทราภา), and sculpted by Mr Thammanun Kaeosawang (Thai: ธรรมนูญ แก้วสว่าง).^[1] The same designer created the artwork of the reverse on the new two-baht coin, and the artwork is similar, but not identical.^[2]

Mintages

2005 ~ 60,000,000
2006 ~ 107,872,500
2007 ~ 232,105,100 (old series)
2008 ~ 10,004,000 (new series)
2009 ~ 50,370 (old series)^[3]
2009 ~ 244,741,000 (new series)
2009 ~ 137,228,000^[4]

Commemorative issues

Cupronickel coin

Commemoration of Princess Chulabhorn Walailak graduating from Kasetsart University

Cupronickel-clad copper coin

Commemoration of the International Year of Youth
the 13th SEA Games
Commemoration of the International Year of Trees
Commemoration of the International Year of Peace
the 5th cycle birthday of King Bhumipol Adulyadej
Commemoration of Rajamagalapisek Royal Ceremony
the centenary of Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy
Commemoration of Princess Chulabhorn Walailak, the researcher princess
the 72nd anniversary of National Cooperatives
the 36th anniversary of Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn
the centenary of Siriraj Hospital
the 72nd anniversary of Chulalongkorn University
the 90th anniversary of Princess Mother Srinagarindra
the centenary of the Siriraj Pattayakorn School
the centenary of the Comptroller General's Department
the 36th anniversary of Princess Sirindhorn
the centenary of Prince Mahidol Adulyadej
the 80th anniversary of Thai Scouting
Commemoration of Princess Mother Srinagarindra for her public health work
the centenary of the Ministry of Interior
the centenary of the Ministry of Justice
Ramon Magsaysay Award: Public Service to Princess Sirindhorn
the 60th anniversary of the National Assembly of Thailand
the 5th cycle birthday of the Queen Sirikit
the centenary of Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives
the 64th anniversary of King Bhumipol Adulyadej at the same age as King Mongkut
the 50th anniversary of the Bank of Thailand
the 60th anniversary of the Treasury Department
the centenary of Thai Teacher Education
the centenary of the Thai Red Cross Society
the centenary of the Office of Attorney General
the centenary of King Prajadhipok
the 60th anniversary of the Royal Institute
the 60th anniversary of Thammasat Universary
the 120th anniversary of the Privy Council and the Council of State
the centenary of Thai Nursing
the 50th anniversary of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
Commemoration of the Year of ASEAN Environment
Commemoration of the Year of Thailand's Information Technology
the 50th anniversary celebrations of the King Bhumibol Adulyadej's accession

References

http://ecatalog.treasury.go.th/coininfo/detail.php?id=1030&gid=239 Profile of the old two-baht coin
http://ecatalog.treasury.go.th/coininfo/detail.php?id=1030&gid=239 Profile of the new two-baht coin
http://ecatalog.treasury.go.th/coininfo/detail.php?id=868 Treasury Department e-catalog
http://ecatalog.treasury.go.th/coininfo/detail.php?id=1030 Treasury Department e-catalog

The Treasury Department. Annual Report, Bangkok, 2005.
The Treasury Department. Annual Report, Bangkok, 2006.
The Treasury Department. Annual Report, Bangkok, 2007.