Thailand – BE 2517 (1974) – 5000 Baht – White-eyed River Martin – Conservation Series – Gold – Uncirculated – NGC MS68

Thailand – BE 2517 (1974) – 5000 Baht – White-eyed River Martin – Gold – Uncirculated – MS68 – Conservation Series – NGC Cert 8470784-003

This Thai gold coin from the year BE 2517 (1974) is part of the international Conservation Series of the 1970s. The series was created to numismatically honor endangered animal species, which is why these issues are now among the most closed and sought-after thematic areas of modern gold numismatics.

The front side shows the bust of King Rama IX (Bhumibol Adulyadej) . The encircling Thai legend names the monarch and the state, emphasizing the official nature of the issue as a state gold coin.

The reverse side depicts the White-eyed River Martin (Pseudochelidon sirintarae) , an extremely rare bird species that was already considered highly endangered at the time of publication. The Thai inscription includes the face value 5000 Baht , the year BE 2517 and a reference to nature and wildlife conservation, fitting the idea of the Conservation Series.

This issue was minted in brilliant uncirculated quality . The present specimen is certified by NGC with MS68 and is therefore one of the best preserved pieces of this issue. Especially with large-format gold coins from the 1970s, such high mint-state condition is much rarer, which is why this piece impresses not only with its motif and substance, but also with its quality within the certified preservation classes.

The mintage in proof quality is 2,602 copies , which clearly positions this issue as a limited gold coinage. It was minted at the Royal Mint in Llantrisant (United Kingdom) , which was responsible for numerous international conservation issues of this period.

Technical data

• Country: Thailand

• Year: BE 2517 (1974)

• Series: Conservation Series

• Motif: White-eyed River Martin (Pseudochelidon sirintarae)

• Face value: 5,000 Baht

• Metal: Gold

• Fineness: 0.900

• Weight: 33.4370 g

• Net weight: approx. 30.09 g

• Diameter: 34 mm

• Minting quality: Uncirculated

• Mintage (Brilliant Uncirculated): 2,602 copies

• Certification: NGC

• Grading: MS68

• NGC Certificate Number: 8470784-003

• Mint: Royal Mint, Llantrisant (UK)