Miniature Champi Medal of Tao Wessuwan, 68th Birthday of Luang Pho Itthi, Wat Chulamanee, B.E. 2567 (2024)

The “Miniature Champi Medal” (Rian Champi Chio) of Tao Wessuwan, Wat Chulamanee, was created for the 68th birthday celebration (āyuwatthanamongkhon) of Phra Samut Wachira Sophon Wi. (Luang Pho Itthi Bhaddacaro), ecclesiastical head of Amphawa District and abbot of Wat Chulamanee, Samut Songkhram, in B.E. 2567 (2024). Proceeds were dedicated to the construction of the temple’s new entrance bridge.

The temple’s announcement poster describes it as the medal that is “the tiniest ever made…”

Description

The medal follows the Champi mould in reduced scale, standing only 1.7 centimetres tall — smaller than the miniature Champi medal of the 65th birthday edition of B.E. 2565, which stood 2 centimetres. In the size-comparison photograph released by the temple, the medal is laid on a 1-baht coin, which measures 2.0 centimetres across; the whole image of the deity is smaller than the coin itself.

The obverse bears Tao Wessuwan standing in full within the Champi-shaped frame, both hands clasping his club before him, wearing a pointed crown and full celestial regalia, the frame tapering to a point at the base. Beneath the pedestal runs the inscription “Tao Wessuwan No.”

The reverse carries a yantra seal at the centre, ringed by kanok flame ornament, with the inscription “Wat Chulamanee, Samut Songkhram, 2567” along the lower edge.

Every material in this edition bears an authentication code, as stated by the temple.

Materials and numbers issued

• 1) Pure gold with red rājāvadī enamel — approx. 1.6–1.8 grams · 299 medals issued · merit-participation price 9,199 baht

• 2) Pure gold — approx. 1.6–1.8 grams · 299 medals issued · merit-participation price 8,999 baht

• 3) Pure silver with red rājāvadī enamel — 999 medals issued · merit-participation price 500 baht

• 4) Pure silver — 999 medals issued · merit-participation price 400 baht

• 5) Full-formula nawaloha (nine-metal alloy) — 999 medals issued · merit-participation price 200 baht

• 6) Copper — 50,000 medals issued · merit-participation price 50 baht