The beginning of the five most revered amulets in Thailand, known as “The Supreme Master Above Death,” rare and highly valued in Phetchaburi city.
The first edition Luang Pho Chui medal, made of blackened copper in 1922 at Wat Khongkharam, ranks among the most popular in the community of amulet and master monk medal collectors, especially the "first edition" created in 1922.
Luang Pho Chui of Wat Khongkharam, Phetchaburi Province, was a renowned monk deeply respected by devotees from past to present. His sacred objects are highly sought after, particularly the "first edition medal" made in 1922, which is celebrated as the top medal in the province and one of the five most valued amulets among collectors nationwide.
Phra Suwanmuni, known as "Luang Pho Chui Sukhaphikku," was born in Phetchaburi in 1858 at Ban Saphan Chang, Mango Subdistrict, Khlong Krachaeng District. He was the eldest of five children of Mr. Nong and Mrs. Nok Yangyudee. He ordained in 1878 under the guidance of Phra Phisan Samanakit (Sin), abbot of Wat Khongkharam, with Phalit Ob as preceptor and teacher Kruut of Wat Mahathat as the third mentor. He received the monastic title "Sukhaphikku" and resided at Wat Khongkharam for 45 rainy seasons until his death in 1923.
Luang Pho Chui renovated and developed Wat Khongkharam, making it widely known. In 1907, he was granted a royal certificate by King Rama V as deputy ecclesiastical head and later promoted to abbot of Phetchaburi Province. In 1917, he received the royal ecclesiastical title of Phra Suwanmuni Norasiththam Thayathat Sangkhapamok, a second-class royal ecclesiastical rank.
The "first edition pressed image medal of Luang Pho Chui, 1922" was created to distribute to merchants and devotees who donated to the construction of a pavilion housing Buddha images Phra Phuttha Chinnarat, Phra Phuttha Chinnasi, and Phra Srisatda at Wat Khongkharam. Another medal was issued in 1924 by Ajarn Mongkol of Wat Khongkharam, similar in style but larger in facial depiction. This was made alongside a standing image statue for Luang Pho Chui's funeral that year. Thus, the 1922 pressed image medal is considered the first and only edition personally consecrated by Luang Pho Chui before his passing.
The 1922 first edition pressed image medal of Luang Pho Chui is an oval shape slightly larger than other medals, with ears joined by a silver solder. Crafted by royal artisans, it features delicate, elegant artistry. Made solely in copper, the front has floral and bow patterns around the edge, modeled after the medal of Somdet Phra Maha Samana Chao Krom Phra Wachirayan Waroros. The center shows a half-body image of Luang Pho Chui draped in robes and a sangkhati cloth. Inside the bow are Thai inscriptions: top left “B.E.”; top right “65” (1922); bottom left “Phra Suwan”; bottom right “muni.” The back displays the “crossed club yantra” inscribed with the five Buddha hearts mantra “Na Mo Phut Tha Ya.” There are two reverse die versions: one with and one without the “mo” character’s inner stroke. “Mo” here refers to the Khmer-Pali letter in the second row on the left side of the yantra. Both die versions were used, but due to the production of 5,000 medals, the back die broke and had to be replaced.
Today, this medal is an ancient, highly valuable, and very rare collectible.
