In the year B.E.2515, Luang Phor Chaem was requested by one of his closest layman disciple to create his 1st batch medal and he agreed. Luang Phor Chaem’s 1st batch medal was pumped a total of 3 times due to the small quantity but great demand.
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The 1st time that the medal was pumped was known as Block Khor “L”, where Luang Phor Chaem’s neck-line formed an “L” shape with his collarbone. A total of 2,060 pieces were requested to be created, of which 2,000 pieces were Nur Thong Daeng Rom Dum (fumigated copper) and 60 pieces were Nur Nawak.
During the distribution of the 1st batch medals from the temple, it was discovered that they are very popular and will run out very soon. Some devotees donated for more than 1 piece and the close disciple who initiated the creation of this batch of medal donated for up to 300 pieces. It was decided that more pieces should be created to provide for devotees who may not have a chance to have Luang Phor Chaem’s 1st batch medal.
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The 2nd time the medal was created was less than a month after distribution started. The original mould was not used and a new mould had to be created as the original mould already had pumping defects which caused the nose to be very flat. This new mould is known as Block Khor Trong (straight neck), where the neck-line goes straight down and does not form an “L” shape with the collarbone. A total of 1,800 pieces were created solely in Nur Thong Daeng Rom Dum (fumigated copper).
During the process of pumping of about 700-800 pieces, the mould started becoming defective and more and more defects began to appear on the medal. Hence those Block Kor Trong pieces produced later were not beautiful and were not preferred by collectors.
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The 3rd and last time when this medal was produced was when the Block Khor Trong pieces were totally rented from the temple. Many layman disciples and devotees from other provinces arrived and did not have the chance to rent Luang Phor Chaem’s medal. It was decided that this will be the final time to create the 1st batch medals. As the previous mould was also defective, a new mould was created specially for the final time and is known as Block Na Maew (cat-face) or presently popularly known as Block Nuat Seua (tiger whiskers). The reason for this is because the mould caused fine lines to appear above the lips and below the nose of Luang Phor Chaem, making him look like he had whiskers.
The 3rd mould was actually created in B.E.2516 although the code used was the same for all 3 blocks and is officially part of Luang Phor Chaem’s 1st batch medals and is classified as B.E.2515 (although it was really created in B.E.2516). The code “67” was Luang Phor Chaem’s age of 67 years old in the year B.E.2515.
This 3rd block was pumped twice in B.E.2516. The 1st time 300 pieces was created and distributed completely before a further 1,000 pieces were created a 2nd time and were also distributed completely. Only 1 material was created, Nur Thong Daeng Rom Dum (fumigated copper) in a total quantity of 1,300 pieces.
It was decided that no more 1st batch medals were to be created and the next batch of medals such as Rian Yodkhunphon, Rian Sema Yai and Rian Sema Lek, etc. were created instead. The popularity and faith in Luang Phor Chaem by his devotees and laymen can be seen even from his early creation of amulets where the amulets will be completely taken up. All 3 blocks of these 1st batch medals have many imitation pieces since many years ago.
