Among the Rama X commemorative 20 baht coins this one stands out for its obverse: not the king alone but a joint portrait of Maha Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida, both facing right. The occasion is the centenary of Bangkok’s Metropolitan Police Bureau; the coin is dated BE 2565 (2022) and was released on 20 December 2022.

The reverse is taken up by the bureau’s seal: the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall with the year of foundation below it, framed by a wreath of cassia branches. The legend reads «100 years of the Metropolitan Police Bureau» with the anniversary date of 24 December 2565, the denomination and the country name.

Bangkok’s police date back to 1862, when King Mongkut set up the capital’s first police force. In 1915 Rama VI ordered the police services merged, and in 1922 the reformed body was renamed the Metropolitan Police Bureau, the date from which the centenary is counted.

For a collection the coin works twice over: it covers the theme of police and law enforcement, and it adds to a run of royal portraits, since a joint image of the king and queen is uncommon on 20 baht coins.

Uncirculated condition: the coin has never circulated, shows no wear and retains its mint lustre, with only minor storage marks possible. The architecture of the throne hall on the reverse remains fully detailed.

You can compare this coin with the country’s other issues in the VPcoins catalogue.