Ngoen Tab: Money, History, Power and Ritual

Abstract

Lanna is an area of diversity with ongoing crash of political activity, war and trade. If money is an indicator of political and economic power, according from the book “Lanna Currency” of Nawarat Lakakun (2012), the use of ancient Lanna currency can be traced the evaluation by eras as follows.

Before the Lanna period, “cowrie shell, bar money, hoof coin and precious metals” were used. In Hiran Ngoen Yang period, people used Tok money including Tok Bai Mai, silver Tok, bronze and copper Tok. In the age of Mon civilization, it has produced silver coin including “Athid Uthai coin and large conch coin”.

When the time passed by into the golden age of Lanna, “silver Jiang’ were produced for a medium of exchange with the coinage which bears marks symbolizing the monarchy and religious of various cities. Later, when Myanmar alternated as dominant powers over Lanna area, it has produced monetary system such as “flower money (Pak Chee money), Nautilus Tok and pig-mouth money (Ngoen Pak Moo) “ When Lanna was under the rule of Siam, they used the Indian money “Rupee” or what Lanna people called “Money strip (Ngoen Tab)”. Later, when the transportation was more convenient, the silver coins produced by Siamese government has played a role in Lanna districts.