Baht Tamlueng

These oval silver ingots, known as Baht Tamlueng, were routinely countermarked by Thai officials to verify their weight and purity.

That meant every piece had to pass a hands-on test before changing hands. No two were exactly alike, as the marks varied by region and assayer.

We've got records from the early 1800s showing they weighed between 15 and 30 grams, but exact production figures? Those went up in smoke during palace fires no one bothered to document properly.

As for myths about hidden treasures, I've heard enough. These were just practical currency for everyday trade.

The shape, by the way, made them easy to stack. Pity modern coins aren't so straightforward.