Demand for commemorative coins to mark the incoming cremation ceremony for His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej has reached a fever pitch, with 99%-pure gold, silver, and copper coins being sold out within two days of reservation.
Some 15.3 million of the 39.9 million cupronickel coins were booked after reservation started on Monday, said Patchara Anuntasilpa, director-general of the Treasury Department.
The department's plan calls for minting 99,999 gold commemorative coins priced at 50,000 baht each, 39,999 copper coins priced at 3,000 baht each, 399,999 silver coins priced at 2,000 baht each and 39.9 million cupronickel coins priced at 100 baht each.
To serve demand for the sought-after copper coins, the department yesterday cut the maximum reservation rights to one coin per person from three, but supply still fell short of demand, he said.
The department did not expect the copper coins would receive such an overwhelming response from the public, as the number of copper coins minted is three times higher than other commemorative coins, said Mr Patchara.
"The department does not have a plan to mint more, but I cannot tell right now whether additional coins will be minted in the future as there are regulations and procedures," he said. The department has already reported the massive demand for commemorative coins to Finance Minister Apisak Tantivorawong.
