2 Sertums - Jigme Dorji Ascension

Bhutan's 1966 platinum coinage was produced to mark the accession of Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, who had actually taken the throne in 1952 — the fourteen-year gap between event and commemorative issue reflects the country's extraordinarily slow integration into the international numismatic market. These pieces were struck by the Royal Mint in London at a time when Bhutan had no domestic minting capability whatsoever. The platinum version, struck at .950 fineness, was produced in tiny quantities as a prestige issue aimed squarely at foreign collectors rather than domestic circulation.

KM#34a is the platinum variant within a series that also appeared in gold and silver. The platinum strikes are the rarest of the three metals by a considerable margin.