How to Identify a Thai Coin
Baht is the official currency of Thailand, using both banknotes and coins as legal tender. While you can easily identify baht banknotes because of their wide range of colors and clear tender amount printed on both sides, Thai coins feature similar designs and can become confusing. You will need to look carefully to distinguish the amount of currency you have. If you know the various baht coin sizes and the materials used for each denomination, you can learn more about your coins and make it easier to do monetary transactions within the country.
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Instructions
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Examine the 10-baht coin. This piece has a cupronickel (copper-nickel) ring with a brass center and has an image of Wat Arun on the back side, with commemorative versions in circulation as well. Common variations include Kanchanapisek, an image of the Arun Temple, and the Golden Jubilee of King Bhumibol Adulyadej that features elephants and trees on the back side. The coin is 26 mm in diameter and has been in circulation since 1988.
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Examine the 5-baht coin. Slightly smaller than the 10-baht piece, the 5-baht coin is made from cupronickel clad copper and with a diameter of 24 mm. This piece features one of two images on the reverse, either the Wat Benchamabopit Temple or the Grand Palace. Coins made in 1999 and later feature the symbol "5" on on the back side.
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Identify the 1-baht coin. The 1-baht coin is a cupronickel piece is 20 mm in diameter, slightly larger than the United States one cent piece. The front side of the coin always features the King of Thailand, while the back can vary depending on the year made. Some feature images of the Chedis of the Temple of the Emerald Buddha; others are commemorative versions that include an image of elephants celebrating the Golden Jubilee, the Phra Kaew Temple and Bangkok.
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Identify the bronze 50-satang coin for being similar in the size of a United States dime. The piece is used as one-half a 1 baht and features a portrait of the King of Thailand on the front and the Chedis at Wat Phra That Doi Suthep in Chiang Mai on the back. The 2002 version has the number "50" engraved on the back side.
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Verify a 25-satang coin. This is a small, 16 mm bronze piece. Considered almost useless, they are difficult to come across as many tourist locations, shops and restaurants use full-baht pieces only. The front of the coin features a portrait of the King of Thailand, with an image of the Wat Mahathat Temple on the back side. The 2002 version has "25" engraved on the back side below the image.
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