1/2 Tamlueng - Rama V Copper Pattern, Coin alignment, Plain edge

Rama V ascended the Siamese throne in 1868 at age fifteen, and the pattern coinage struck during the opening years of his reign reflects the kingdom's deliberate push toward Western-style currency — a reform project his father Rama IV had initiated but never completed. These copper patterns were part of a broader evaluation of mechanical mint production as Siam moved away from the hand-hammered bullet coinage that had circulated for centuries.

KM#Pn30 never entered circulation. Its coin alignment — rather than the medal alignment more common in Thai pattern issues of this period — suggests direct influence from a specific foreign mint's technical staff, most likely British.