Catalog
5 Sertums - Jigme Singye
| Issuer | Royal Government of Bhutan |
|---|---|
| Year | 1979 |
| Type | Non-circulating coin |
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|---|---|
| Obverse script | Latin/Dzongkha |
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| Reverse description | Central device features two highly detailed druk (thunder dragons) in dynamic confronting postures, encircling the Bhutanese national emblem's Dharma wheel (dharmachakra) at the center. The dragons are rendered in elaborate relief amid stylized clouds and floral scrollwork. A Dzongkha legend arcs across the upper periphery, while the Latin inscription ROYAL GOVERNMENT OF BHUTAN curves along the lower border, with the denomination 5 SERTUM appearing to the right, all separated by dot stops. |
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| Additional information |
The 1979 gold Sertum series was struck to commemorate the coronation of Jigme Singye Wangchuck, who had ascended the throne in 1974 at age eighteen following the sudden death of his father. Bhutan's coinage program during this period was largely driven by external minting contracts — most pieces were produced by the Royal Mint in London or by Franklin Mint — intended less for circulation than for the international collector market.
KM#53 is among the heavier denominations in the series, with the five-Sertum pieces occupying the top tier of what was effectively a prestige issue for a country with no meaningful domestic gold coin tradition before the 1960s.