The Strange History of Kris' Coins and Banknotes Bonanza
The good old days.
You may think that there may not be much to reminisce about, since this page was only created in August, truth is there's another Kris' Coins and Banknotes Bonanza page that's been created on the 9th of March, the official date my shop was founded on. A shop? You may be surprised that I never mentioned this, but I used to have a physical location for my shop, but the reality is it is merely just my office space at my school.
I had wanted to sell old Thai coins and banknotes at my school before, though I couldn't be so sure if it would turn out successful, but then I remembered that there used to be a trend around the school where the kids would go collect/trade Pokemon cards. I understood that it feels good to collect something not everyone has, but I never got on the trend, because I saw the cards as only pieces of plastic.
What made me favour collecting coins and banknotes is that, through time, each coin and banknote has its own story to tell. I can say that both Pokemon cards, coins and notes qualify as artwork, but you can see the evolution of design styles through banknotes. Say any random country's first series of banknotes will be simple, slowly evolving over time with more elaborate and grand designs, then slowly becoming more modern and minimalist, while retaining its beauty.
The first items I sold were six Ten Baht notes from Series 12. The reason I chose them is that they looked exotic to the kids, but at the same time affordable, and because I have a special place for the Series 12 Ten Baht notes in my heart. My first note in my collection was actually that mentioned type, which was passed down from my Mother. The note was dated around 1992, had a bit of graffiti on it, but it still has a special place in me.
I was quite successful in selling the first 10 baht notes. I even got one with an unusual signature pairing. After that I started selling coins, mostly commemorative 20 baht coins from the Rama X era, which I sold for 40 baht each.
These commemorative coins became popular for the kids to buy, some of them got really into collecting them. I remember a pair of sisters, who would come asking every week when a new shipment of items was to come in. They bought so many items, their mother came to tell me about it and how she warned the girls to keep them somewhere safe.
One of the banknotes that didn't get sold.
Banknotes on the other hand, were harder to sell as ones from before Series 12 were more costly, which the kids would unlikely but, luckily I managed to buy a batch of 10 Baht notes from Series 11 in EF condition for 60 baht per note, then I put a discount, selling each note for half the price, which attracted a lot of buyers. Sure I lost some money, but at least I introduced customers from a note I think is from the best series that has been printed by the B.O.T.
The 1 Baht note I sold.
I also sold a 1 baht note from Series 9 that had the young front-facing portrait of Rama IX, for 70 baht, which I think was a very good deal to the boy who bought it.
Some kids wanted a 100 baht note from Series 10, but I didn't want to sell costly items, as I didn't want to get stuck with it myself in case no one could afford it. One of the sisters that were frequent customers of mine, once asked me if I was selling a 'black coin', which was a photo of a proof coin in my menu, since I couldn't find the normal variety of that specific coin. I explained to her that the proof she wanted would have costed around 400 - 500 baht, and that the closest proof I could get her for a good price would be around 200. She agreed, but sadly I never ordered the proof as I had to part ways.
Another part I enjoyed about having a physical shop is coupons!
Most of the coupons were uniface, since I had trouble printing double-sided ones.
I printed many designs throughout the months, but only a few of them actually got used (I remembered a boy who kept all the coupons I gave him, to buy a banknote (the amount added to 30 baht).
Some Commemorative Coupons I made. Most of them had tedious errors.
When I now look back on the designs, I think I could've done a better job with most of them.
These were the coupons I was most proud of at the time, sadly they were never issued.
I issued certificates of genuineness, Incase I was selling older coins or banknotes, but I never used them
The Present.
After the end of the school year, I parted ways and created my Facebook page. Though I am not selling, I do intend on finding a way to do so in the future.
The good old days had created some fond memories I look back on. I would give banknotes to friends as birthday presents, something not too expensive though, unless they're fellow collectors. I once gave a 100 baht note from 1957 with a tray watermark to a friend who later moved to the Philippines. He didn't want any presents, but I insisted.
The most positive thing about the shop was being able to get kids into collecting coins and banknotes. I was happy I could get them interested into a hobby I'm so passionate about, a hobby I think more people should get into. It was tougher to get teenagers into collecting them, but there was this Russian kid who had a very impressive coin collection that he showed me. He was a frequent customer of mine. Some enjoyed buying them and collecting them, others saw coin and note collecting as pointless and dull, but that was never how I saw it.One question I like to think about is, what denomination in my notes could buy me what things from the period they were printed in.
About the Facebook page, even though I've only been active on it since the beginning of September, it was nice to get a decent amount of followers for the time. I'm also happy with the amount of members we have for the Thai Coins and Banknotes group, if we get about 30 at the end of the year, I'll be rather delighted!
For those who have been following me for the longest time, I really appreciate your likes, comments and supports, and I don't know what I'd do without you, same goes for the rest of my followers.
The future
Some preliminary designs, keep in mind, minor adjustments will be made.
I might be reopening the shop at the school next year, as I am planning to direct a play there. It would be a good opportunity to revive the trend and show off my new coupon designs.I am also planning on selling them here on Facebook locally, once enough people are interested, though I would unlikely be offering coupons.A few have suggested that I sell my notes at a stall in a market that opens every Friday and lots of expats and tourists go to. I will give it a thought though.The future is uncertain, but I hope Kris' Coins and Banknotes Bonanza continues to grow and provide. I hope you enjoyed this more personal post, and I’ll be typing the next issue of A History of Thai Banknotes soon!.