20 baht 1955

Common. eBay market data shows consistent sales of this note in various grades, with UNC examples regularly selling between $9-$41, and VF examples trading for $4-$14. The broad range of sales across multiple years and the relatively modest prices indicate healthy circulation in the collector market, typical of commonly-printed government issues. The 1955 20 Baht represents a standard issue from a major printer (Thomas de la Rue) with no known print run limitations or recall history that would restrict supply.

This banknote was issued during the early reign of King Rama IX (Bhumibol Adulyadej), who ascended to the throne in 1946 and reigned until 2016, making him one of the world's longest-reigning monarchs. The military uniform and formal regalia depicted reflect Thailand's political environment in the 1950s, a period marked by military influence in governance following the 1947 coup. The juxtaposition of Thai Buddhist temple architecture with Western neoclassical government building imagery represents Thailand's modernization efforts while maintaining cultural identity during the mid-20th century.

The obverse features a left-facing portrait of King Rama IX Bhumibol Adulyadej wearing a Field Marshal's uniform with insignia, collar decorations, and multiple military medals arranged on the chest. The central design showcases an ornate circular seal with a crowned mythical figure (likely the Garuda, Thailand's national emblem) at the apex, surrounded by intricate pink and red decorative patterns containing Thai script and royal symbols. To the right of this seal is a detailed illustration of a classic Thai Buddhist temple with characteristic steeply pointed roofs, multiple tiers, and ornamental architectural details typical of Siamese religious architecture. The reverse displays a grand European neoclassical building with a prominent central dome, classical columns, pediments, and symmetrical architectural elements reminiscent of a parliament or government capitol building, with ornamental landscaping in the foreground. Both sides feature elaborate decorative borders with fine-line guilloche patterns and Thai-inspired scrollwork in the corners. The color scheme employs olive-green as the primary color with multicolor underprinting in pink, red, beige, and cream tones.

Front side: Thai text 'ธนบัตรไทย' (Thai banknote), 'ยี่สิบบาท' (Twenty baht), 'ธนบัตรเป็นสินทรัพย์ของหนักโดยตามกฎหมาย' (Banknote is property protected by law), 'ธุรมตรีวำการแผ่นดินไทย' (Thai state treasury); English: 'THOMAS DE LA RUE & COMPANY, LIMITED, LONDON' (printer); Arabic numerals: '20' and serial number 'Y 436 2629341'. Back side: Denomination '20' appearing in corners; English: 'THOMAS DE LA RUE & COMPANY LIMITED, LONDON' (printer); Thai text partially visible in design area. All inscriptions identify the issuer (Government of Thailand), denomination, printer, and legal status of the banknote.

This note employs intaglio/recess printing techniques characteristic of Thomas de la Rue's high-security banknote production. The intricate fine-line background patterns, complex guilloche borders, and detailed portraiture visible in the visual analysis are hallmarks of intaglio engraving. The multicolor printing with carefully controlled color registration demonstrates the sophisticated multi-plate printing methods used by de la Rue in the 1950s. Security features include the watermark visible as the large white circular area on the reverse and the overall complexity of the design elements serving as anti-counterfeiting measures typical of mid-20th century currency production.

This note is catalogued as Pick-77d, with Thomas de la Rue as the identified printer (TDLR). The PMG Population Report indicates at least two varieties exist for this base Pick number: P-77d (TDLR printer) and P-77s. The observed serial number format 'Y 436 2629341' with black printing is consistent with the standard variety. The specific designation as P-77d distinguishes this from other catalogued varieties of the 20 Baht denomination from this period. No other visible overprints, signatures, or date variations are apparent from the visual analysis.