Laos, Kingdom of Luang Prabang, Lat Money (Boat Money)

This ingot, known as bronze lat or boat money, was issued in the 18th or 19th century. It circulated in the borderland between todays Thailand and Laos. Whether the unstamped ingots from copper, bronze and other relatively cheap metals did only circulate as market money, is not entirely clear, however. Perhaps they also served as ceremonial money in funerary cults.