Old Siam Porcelain Gaming and Gambling Tokens
Porcelain tokens were first used in old Siam as counters for a game called Fantan. The game was one of many played in the Chinese-run gambling houses called hongs. Over time they came to be used as currency within the hong owners' districts and were known as pees. The pees were easier to use than the silver bars that served as legal tender in Siam at the time. Eventually the King of Siam introduced coins to the country and the use of the tokens as currency was outlawed. The tokens did not disappear quickly, however. They were used as currency (underground) into the 20th century. It is believed that thousands of designs were created.
