lunaticg banknote & coin: January 2009 | coin

Friday, January 30, 2009

Great Britain Pound Story

Pound sterling banknote is one of the strong currency in the market. Recently it price has been going down (today I check the price is RM5.16 ; Ringgit to Pound) because of the economic slowdown. The full, official name, pound sterling, (plural: pounds sterling) is used mainly in formal contexts and also when it is necessary to distinguish the United Kingdom currency from other currencies with the same name. Otherwise the term pound is normally used. The currency name is sometimes abbreviated to just sterling, particularly in the wholesale financial markets, but not when referring to specific amounts; for example, "Payment is accepted in sterling" but never "These cost five sterling". The abbreviations "ster." or "stg." are sometimes used. The term British pound is commonly used in less formal contexts, although it is not an official name of the currency. A common slang term is quid (singular and plural).

There is some uncertainty as to the origin of the term "pound sterling". Some sources say it dates back to Anglo-Saxon times, when coins called sterlings were minted from silver; 240 of these sterlings weighed one pound, and large payments came to be made in "pounds of sterlings". Other references, including the Oxford English Dictionary, say a sterling was a silver penny used in England by the Normans, and date the term to around 1300. For more discussion of the etymology of "sterling" see Sterling silver.

The currency sign is the pound sign, originally ₤ with two cross-bars, then later more commonly £ with a single cross-bar. The pound sign derives from the blackletter "L", an abbreviation of Librae in Roman £sd units (librae, solidi, denarii) used for pounds, shillings and pence in the British pre-decimal duodecimal currency system. Libra was the basic Roman unit of weight, derived from the Latin word for scales or balance.

The ISO 4217 currency code is GBP (Great Britain pound). Occasionally, the abbreviation UKP is used but this is incorrect. The Crown dependencies use their own (non-ISO) codes: GGP (Guernsey pound), JEP (Jersey pound) and IMP (Isle of Man pound). Stocks are often traded in pence, so traders may refer to pence sterling, GBX (sometimes GBp), when listing stock prices.

Some of Pound banknote in my collection is old 1982 £1 pound and current £10 pound. £1 poundis in green color and using Sir Isaac Newton as a historical character. It also have a watermark of Sir isaac Newton. I have been reading that a new coin pound is been used to replace this pound and I still don't have any in my possesion yet.

For me, £10 pound is one of the most beautiful banknote in this world. I love the overall design of this banknote. The banknote is using Charles Darwin as the historical character. When I try to edit the front of this banknote, I keep having a reading error that bring me to this website Banknotes & Counterfeit Deterrence. Look like this banknote is one of banknote in this world that have been using counterfit deterrence system (CDS) and it has some rules and regulation on reproduction of this banknote.

10 pound security feature:

Metallic thread - the thread is embedded in the paper in every banknote. This appears as silver dashes on the back of the £10 note. If you hold the note up to the light, the metallic thread appears as a continuous dark line.

Watermark - hold the note up to the light and you will see an image of the Queen’s portrait. This can also be viewed from the back of the note.

Hologram - there is a hologram on the foil patch on the front of the £10 note. If you tilt the note, the image will change between a brightly coloured picture of Britannia and the number ‘10’.

Source: Wikipedia, bankofengland.co.uk

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Bermuda Triangle; from pound to dollar

Have you ever been reading about urban legend The Bermuda Triangle? The Bermuda Triangle, also known as the Devil's Triangle, is a region of the northwestern Atlantic Ocean in which a number of aircraft and surface vessels have disappeared or are alleged to have disappeared. Some people have claimed that these disappearances fall beyond the boundaries of human error or acts of nature. Bermuda have one of the most beautiful Queen Elizabeth II paper money in this world.

The Parliamentary British Colony of Bermuda, situated in the western Atlantic Ocean 660 miles (1,062 km.) east of North Carolina, has an area of 20.6 sq. mi. (53 sq. km.) and a population of 61,600. Capital: Hamilton. Concentrated essences, beauty preparations, and cut flowers are exported. Most Bermudians derive their livelihood from tourism. The British monarch is the head of state and is represented by a governor.

Bermuda was discovered by Juan de Bermudez, a Spanish navigator, in about 1503. British influence dates from 1609 when a group of Virginia-bound British colonists under the command of Sir George Somers was shipwrecked on the islands for 10 months. The islands were settled in 1612 by 60 British colonists from the Virginia Colony and became a crown colony in 1684. The earliest coins issued for the island were the ”Hogge Money” series of 2, 3, 6 and 12 pence, the name derived from the pig in the obverse design, a recognition of the quantity of such animals then found there. The next issue for Bermuda was the Birmingham coppers of 1793; all locally circulating coinage was demonetized in 1842, when the currency of the United Kingdom became standard.

The pound was the currency of Bermuda until 1970. It was equivalent to the British pound, alongside which it circulated, and was similarly divided into 20 shillings each of 12 pence. Bermuda decimalized in 1970, replacing the pound with the Bermudian dollar at a rate of 1 dollar = 8 shillings 4 pence (i.e., 100 pence), equal to the U.S. dollar. In 1914, the government introduced 1 pound notes. In 1920, 5 shilling notes were introduced, followed by 10 shillings in 1927 and 5 pounds in 1941. The 5 shilling note ceased production in 1957, with 10 pound notes introduced in 1964.

Prior to changing to the dollar, the Government of Bermuda had not issued its own coins, other than commemorative ones (the Bermuda Crowns), since the 19th Century, at the latest. In the 20th centuries, its pound notes were issued in all denominations (and the only coins used were UK ones). In 1970, the government introduced dollar notes in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20 and 50 dollars. From 1974, the Bermuda Monetary Authority took over paper money production, introducing 100 dollars notes in 1982 and 2 dollars in 1988, when the 1 dollar was replaced by a coin. 1970 dollar notes are all printed with Bermuda Government across the top. Later notes substitute Bermuda Monetary Authority. In 2008, it was announced that banknotes would be redesigned in celebration of Bermuda's 400th anniversary, the first redesign since the launch of the dollar. The new designs were described as "distinctly Bermudian", with Queen Elizabeth II being relegated to a minor position. This new banknote will be out in 2009.

Source: wikipedia, Krause Publication

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Great Britain coin; Maundy money

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, located off the northwest coast of the European continent, has an area of 94,227 sq. mi. (244,820 sq. km.) and a population of 54 million. Capital: London. The economy is based on industrial activity and trading. Machinery, motor vehicles, chemicals, and textile yarns and fabrics are exported.

After the departure of the Romans, who brought Britain into a more active relationship with Europe, it fell prey to invaders from Scandinavia and the Low Countries who drove the original Britons into Scotland and Wales, and established a profusion of kingdoms that finally united in the 11th century under the Danish King Canute. Norman rule, following the conquest of 1066, stimulated the development of those institutions, which have since distinguished British life. Henry VIII (1509-47) turned Britain from continental adventuring and faced it to the sea - a decision that made Britain a world power during the reign of Elizabeth I (1558-1603).

Strengthened by the Industrial Revolution and the defeat of Napoleon, 19th century Britain turned to the remote parts of the world and established a colonial empire of such extent and prosperity that the world has never seen its like. World Wars I and II sealed the fate of the Empire and relegated Britain to a lesser role in world affairs by draining her resources and inaugurating a worldwide movement toward national self-determination in her former colonies.

MINT MARKS

H - Heaton

KN - King's Norton

MONETARY SYSTEM

Colloquial Denomination Terms

Ha’penny = 1/2 Penny

Tanner = 6 Pence

Bob = 1 Shilling

Half a Crown (Half a Dollar) = 2 Shillings 6 Pence

Dollar = 5 Shillings

Half a quid = 10 Shillings

Quid = 1 Pound

Tenner = 10 Pounds

Pony = 20 Pounds

(Until 1970)

4 Farthings = 1 Penny

12 Pence = 1 Shilling

2 Shillings = 1 Florin

5 Shillings = 1 Crown

20 Shillings = 1 Pound (Sovereign)

21 Shillings = 1 Guinea

½ Sovereign = 10 Shillings (i.e. ½ Pound)

1 Sovereign = 1 Pound

9.4500 g., Bronze, 30.8 mm. Ruler: George V Obv: Head left

Obv. Leg.: GEORGIVS V DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX FID:

DEF: IND: IMP: Rev: Britannia seated right Note: Fully struck

and orginal mint lustre coins command a premium.

1.4138 g., 0.9250 Silver 0.0420 oz. ASW, 16 mm. Ruler:

George V Obv: Head left Rev: Crowned denomination divides

date within oak wreath

Maundy Money is a special British coinage given to deserving poor people in a religious ceremony performed by Anglicans on Maundy Thursday, the Thursday before Easter. The present-day Maundy ceremony has evolved over the centuries and bears little relationship to the original rites to which it owes its origins. A fundamental aspect of the original Maundy service was the washing of the feet of the poor, which has its origins in Jesus' washing of the feet of the Disciples at the Last Supper. In early ceremonies, senior clergymen would wash the feet of lower clergy, while in other ceremonies, the washing would be done by someone higher up the hierarchical order.

King Edward II (1307–1327) seems to be the first English monarch to have been recorded actively taking part in the ceremony, although King John (1199–1216) is said to have taken part in a ceremony in about 1210, donating small silver coins to the poor. King Edward III (1327–1377) washed feet and gave gifts including money to the poor; the practice continued regularly, with the participation of the monarch, until 1698. Edward III (13 November 1312 â€“ 21 June 1377) was one of the most successful English kings of medieval times. ...

Although the monarch did not participate personally, later ceremonies continued in which a selection of people were given Maundy money consisting of silver pennies totalling, in pence, the current age of the monarch. The washing of feet ended after the 1736 ceremony, until it was re-instated in the 2003 ceremony, when it was performed by the new Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams.

In 1932, King George V agreed to take part personally in the distribution of the Maundy money, while the 1936 set was distributed by King Edward VIII, although the coins bore George V's effigy. By 1953 it had become normal practice for the monarch to distribute the Maundy money, a practice which continues to this day.

Source: Krause Publications, wikipedia, nationmaster.com

Thursday, January 22, 2009

AJMIR Sdn Bhd Money Changer, Jalan Tun H.S Lee

Last place I visit for my 17 January 2009 hunting trip is Ajmir Sdn Bhd Money Changer. Their shop is located at Jalan Tun H. S Lee, beside metro bus stop. It is also near Jalan Yap Ah Loy and Lebuh Pasar Besar where you can find Maybank and RHB bank. They were open everyday from 10.00 am until 7.00 pm everyday. You can contact Mr. Nawab at 019-2795555 or 03-20705555.

They have another shop just near this place and I only gone to this place twice. I don't realize I have been doing business with them for over 3 years now. Only realize that after looking at the banner in front of their shop. They have many old banknote for sale but mostly Malaysia banknote. On that day, they have one Brunei 100 ringgit for sale at RM300 price. They also have some Malaysia uncut banknotes sale at a bargain price (I don't collect uncut banknote). They also selling Malaysia RM50 commemorative Commonwealth banknote at RM120 which is cheaper then market price RM160. They also have 3 running number Malaya & British Borneo banknote (kapal layar) for sale at RM90 per piece.

I want to buy some of coin in their collection (world coins) but need to wait for the owner to come and bargaining the price with him. All the coin already put in their different continent and country in boxes and I can see some old coins in there. I am not keen on the waiting part and maybe will try to asked them again in my next trip there.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Antique Shop-Syarikat Tai fat heng-Jln Tun H. S Lee

Some people may not realize that there is one antique shop that sell banknote and coin along jalan Tun H.S Lee. Syarikat Tai Fat Heng has been around for over 50 years. This shop is just so near to Central Market and Kotaraya building. It is also the same row as where Petaling Street or Chinatown should be. They open their shop everyday from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm.

This is my hunting trip on 17 January 2009. This shop Sell many antique coins at a bargain price then most antique shop I found in Kuala Lumpur. Last time I found many Strait Settlements coins in this shop but in this trip I can only find one strait settlement coin. I don't realize that this shop also have a medal for sale until I come back and look back at this picture. One of my frequent buyer is a medal collector. Maybe will be checking them out again on my next hunting trip.

I cannot see any banknote during my visit here. Last time, this shop got some Malaya & British Borneo rare banknotes up for grab. Since I am not the only one looking for banknotes & coins, I guess someone already buy them all. This uncle keep looking at the street every time I take his picture. I also forget to asked for their phone number and their name. If you want to visit this place, just remember to used the same road from Pasar Seni LRT Station to Petaling Street and keep looking at shop on your right.

Monday, January 19, 2009

My 17 January 2009 hunting trip; Central Market, Kuala Lumpur

On 17 January 2009 I am doing some hunting trip for my banknotes and coins collection to Kuala Lumpur. I am using Putra LRT from KL Sentral and stop at Pasar Seni Station. Central Market located along Jalan Hang Kasturi, a few minutes away from Petaling Street.You also can see Pejabat Pos Besar Kuala Lumpur not far from Central Market upon arrival from Putra LRT. Central Market which was built in 1888 was originally a wet market. It has since being classified as a Heritage Site by the Malaysian Heritage Society and it is now a landmark for Malaysian Culture and Heritage displaying a wide variety of Malaysian Arts and Handicrafts, Batek, Antiques and attractive souvenirs. You can Read more about central market history here.

I am a bit lucky that day because I meet Tun Dr. Mahathir, ex Malaysia Prime Minister and world great leader. He is on his way back from central market and everyone is asking him If they can take picture with him. He just finish visiting central market. Taking his picture is already a good thing for me. he is also a fellow blogger now and last year his blog, chedet.com get a Page Rank 5 and get a pageview of over 11 millions. You can read about his blog, here. This one is his new blog and not been rated by google.

They are two Licensed Money Changer who is Selling old banknotes and coins in central Market. I frequently visit Jasa Masyhur Sdn Bhd which is located at the Ground Floor near a place where you can find artist selling potrait. You can contact them at 03-22607777. They are open daily from 10.00 am to 9.00 pm. Most of the time they're selling Worlds banknote and Malaysia old bannkote at cheaper price then catalog if any available. At moment this picture taken, the owner itself is still out there greeting Tun Dr. Mahathir.

I also doing some hunting trip around Jalan Tun H.S Lee that day but will post about it next time.

Penang; Butterworth Roadwalk Trip,

Penang Money Changer Trip2,

Sabah Trip; Wisma Merdeka,

Sabah Trip; Gaya Street Tamu1 and

Sabah Trip; Gaya Street Tamu2.

Friday, January 16, 2009

The Indonesia Rupiah story

The rupiah (Rp) is the official currency of Indonesia.Issued and controlled by the Bank of Indonesia, the ISO 4217 currency code for the Indonesian rupiah is IDR. The symbol used on all banknotes and coins are Rp. The name derives from the Indian monetary unit rupee. Informally, Indonesians also use the word "perak" ('silver' in Indonesian) in referring to rupiah. The rupiah is subdivided into 100 sen, although inflation has rendered all coins and banknotes denominated in sen obsolete.

The first paper money used in the Indonesian archipelago was that of the United East Indies Company, credit letters of the rijksdaalder dating between 1783 and 1811. Netherlands Indian gulden government credit paper followed in 1815, and from 1827 gulden notes of De Javasche Bank. Lower denominations (below 5 gulden) were issued by the government in 1919-1920 and 1939-1940, due to wartime metal shortages, but otherwise day-to-day transactions were conducted using coinage.Gulden notes were issued by 'The Japanese Government' during the occupation from 1942, becoming 'roepiah' in 1943.

The first truly Indonesian rupiah notes, however were issued in 1946, during the war of independence with the Dutch, following the unilateral declaration of independence by the Indonesians at the end of World War Two on 17 August 1945. This money is known as 'Oeang Republik Indonesia' ('oeang' being the old spelling of 'uang', in English 'money'). Following the negotiated peace treaty in The Hague of 1949, the 'ORI' was withdrawn, to be replaced by an internationally recognised 'Indonesian rupiah'.

The Indonesian rupiah has been subject to numerous devaluations, and in 1965 existing paper was withdrawn, replaced by a new currency at the rate of 1000 to 1.

The Indonesian banknotes have many series of banknote; Gulden/Roepiah banknotes, Republik Indonesia Serikat Money, De Javasche banknotes, Government banknote, Animal series, Birds series banknote, Handicraft series, Soekarno and Sudirman "the new rupiah". Will post some of the Indonesian banknote series next time.

Source: Wikipedia

Thursday, January 15, 2009

More M’sians buying into pound as currency weakens

Yesterday, I found this in local newspaper (The Star), about How More Malaysian buying pound sterling as currency weakens nowadays because of the economic slowdown. I have some old and New Pound Sterling in My collection and i do think that it is one of the Beautiful banknote in this worlds. Will try to find them and post about pound paper money next time.

Here is the news about the weakening pound.

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The Star, Wednesday January 14, 2009

PETALING JAYA: The weakening of the pound is prompting more Malaysians to buy into the currency, especially parents with children studying or about to study in Britain, checks at money-changers showed. And yes, say economists, now is a good time to buy the pound although there could be further weakening.

“Don’t try to find a bottom because you will never find it. The current level of 5.24 (ringgit to the pound) is not bad,” said CIMB Group Sdn Bhd group treasury and investments deputy chief executive officer Lee Kok Kwan.

Since the beginning of the credit crisis about 18 months ago, the pound has plunged 25% against the local unit and 28% against the US dollar. Since the beginning of the credit crisis 18 months ago, the pound has plunged 25% against the ringgit and 28% against the US dollar — AFP

Lee believes that the pound would continue to fall, given that Britain was going through a protracted slowdown.

“But anyone buying for ‘real’ use, like parents who intend to send their children to Britain for studies, can buy now, given that the pound has depreciated significantly.

“They should start buying now, if they have not started, and average out their cost ,” he said.

In relative terms, the average tuition costs for a British undergraduate degree of about £9,000 have dropped by a substantial RM10,000 now compared with a year ago. With the ringgit at 6.36 per pound then, a parent would have probably paid RM57,240 in tuition fees for the duration of his child’s tertiary studies. At the current rate of 5.24, a parent would only have to cough up slightly over RM47,000. RAM Holdings Bhd chief economist Dr Yeah Kim Leng concurred with Lee that the pound could continue to weaken until there was “recovery in sight” for the British economy.

The Bank of England’s monetary policy committee cut rates by one percentage point to 2% in December, the lowest since 1951, and expectations are that rates will continue to fall close to zero as the central bank and Treasury strive to save the ailing economy. A cut in interest rates will weaken further the pound. “Yes, it should continue to weaken as it suffers the direct impact of the financial crisis,” Yeah said. Still, at current levels, the pound appeared to be relatively cheap compared with other currencies, he said.

The sterling pound hit its lowest against the ringgit in 1997 at 3.97 while the highest was 7.56 in 1998 after Malaysia introduced capital-control measures.

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I try checking the price of pound for today with XE converter on the bottom of my page and the price is 5.21796 (Ringgit to Pound). You can try to convert the price of your own monetary system with this XE converter. It is a good news for some but also a hard time for some of us.

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

The People Republic of China "People Currency"; Chinese yuan (Renminbi)

The People Republic of China is located in Eastern Asia, has an area of 3,696,100 sq miles, including Manchuria and Tibet. Their capital is Beijing (Peking). The Communist People Republic of China was proclaimed on 2 September 1949. China emerged as independent center of Communist power in 1958. Upon the defeat of the Kuomintang & the establishment of the Peoples Republic of China, the communist government issued a new form of currency, the "Peoples Currency" or Renminbi as a replacement for all other notes in an effort to inject a stabilizing influence into the disorganized economy. People currency, Foreign Exchange Certificates and certain level or emergency issues are the only Forms of Paper money permitted by the communist government.

The fourth series of the renminbi was the series introduced between 1987 and 1997, although the banknotes were dated 1980, 1990, or 1996. Unlike the second and the third series, they are still legal tender. It features 14 person of China Various Communities.

1 jiao - 2 taiwanese men

2 jiao- Pu Yi & Korean Youth

5 jiao-Miao & Zhuang children

1 Yuan- Dong & Yao Youth

2 Yuan-Hygur & Ye Yin Youth

5 Yuan- Old Tibetan man & Young Islamic women

10 Yuan-Elder Han & Youthful Mongolian.

Han Chinese constitute about 92 percent of the population of the People's Republic of China and about 19 percent of the entire global human population. In Malaysia, there is about 6.5 million Han Chinese. Besides the majority Han Chinese, China recognizes 55 other "nationalities" or ethnic groups, numbering approximately 105 million persons, mostly concentrated in the northwest, north, northeast, south, and southwest but with some in central interior areas. Some famous Han Chinese are Sun Yat-Sen, Qin Shi Huang, Jackie Chan and Yao Ming.

Source: wikipedia & Krause Publication Standard Catalog of world Paper Money 1998.

Feel free to browse some of my later post about Banknote Grading, Malaysia Banknote Price, What to Look For in Banknote if you want to invest, Collection or Investment? and World Smallest Banknote.

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Egypt banknotes; a hope for Palestine refugee

Last night, I watch a news about how a reporter is in egypt reporting about Israel war on Palestine. It keep me thinking why do people go to war? Why in this modern time, when everyone supposed to be civilized, war is still needed to settle conflict? Is it because people afraid to try something new? Or is it because a relationship between a different races and religion is a threat to human heart? I always wish everyone in this world is brave enough for a change and accept everyone as what they are. I also wish war will be over in Palestine soon enough.

The Arab Republic of Egypt located on northeastern corner of Africa and famous for war long time ago. Egyptian history dates back to about 4000 BC when the empire was establish bymaking the upper and lower kingdoms. Following its "Golden Age" (16th to 13 centuries B.C), Egypt was conquared by Persia (525 B.C) and Alexander the Great (332 B.C). The Ptolemies ruled until the suicide of Cleopatra (30 B.C).

Capital: Cairo

Monetary System: 1 Piastre (Guerche= 10 milliemes), 1 pound = 100 piastres.

Friday, January 9, 2009

Worlds most expensive coin; USA 1933 gold double eagle

In 1933, 445,000 gold Double Eagle coins were minted. At this time, during the Great Depression, President Franklin Roosevelt took the U.S. off the gold standard. People were ordered to turn in their gold and no more gold coins were to be issued for circulation. All of the 1933 Double Eagles were ordered to be destroyed. Some of these coins escaped the melting. Two were given to the Smithsonian Institute for the U.S. National Numismatic Collection. In the 1950’s the Secret Service confiscated eight more of these 1933 Double Eagles.

The true story may never be known as to how they left the mint, but a coin dealer sold at least nine of them and one ended up in the collection of King Farouk of Eqypt. 40 years later, the coin showed up in New York in the possession of a coin dealer. The Secret Service seized the expensive coin and a legal battle began in court. During the several years of litigation, the expensive collectible was stored in the Treasury vaults at the World Trade Center, but after the lawsuit was finally settled in 2001 the coin was moved and later auctioned off on July 30, 2002 for $6.6 million, plus a buyer’s fee of 15% for a total price for the world’s most expensive coin $7,590,020.

In 2004. ten more specimens of the gold Double Eagle coins were discovered among the effects of the coin dealer who sold the previous specimens. One of his heirs sent all ten to the U.S. Mint to be authenticated and the Secret Service seized them. They now reside in Fort Knox while a new legal battle is fought over their ownership of these copies of the most expensive coin ever sold.

source: http://most-expensive.net/coin-world

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Kelantan & Terengganu; Pitis or Keping coin

I try to find any bit history and information about this coins but it is very hard to find valuable one. What most website is talking about Terengganu and Kelantan Pitis or Keping coin is that this coin is made following the Chinese Merchants copper cash that been used in Malay Peninsular in 8th century AD. Pitis or Keping, cast from tin is then produced during last two decade of the 18th century. I think thats why this Kelantan Pitis has a hole on its center.

Several types of tin pitis, which were cast in the form of “coin trees” were also issued. The tin coin trees were produced by the use of moulds adapted from those used by the Chinese to cast copper coins. The coins were broken off from their branches to be used as cash, and the unused metal of the tree was then re-smelted in the next casting. All issues of Kelantan local coinage were discontinued in 1909 when the Straits Settlements coinage was introduced.

Kelantan Pitis or Keping

It is probable that the name "Kelantan" on this coin is the name of the long forgotten ruler of the early Kelantan-Patani period and not a reference to the state of Kelantan.

Obverse : In Arabic "Khalifatul Muminin" (ruler of the faithful). Crude inscription.

Reverse : In Arabic "Al Julus Kelantan" (The accession year of Kelantan).

Edge : Plain

Weight : 3.70 grammes, 4.70 grammes

Diameter : 26 mm, 27 mm

Composition : Tin (round central hole)

Terengganu Keping or Pitis

Several varieties exist of this coin in varying diameters.

Obverse : In Arabic "Kali Malik Al Adil (The reign of the Just Ruler).

Reverse : Blank.

Edge : Plain

Weight :1.10 grammes, 2.20 grammes, 3.80 grammes

Diameter : 17.5 mm, 20 mm, 21.5 mm

Composition : Tin

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Coat of arms series coin-east India company

This coin is made by VEIC, Struck by Royal mint, London. On the obverse bore the year mintage and coat of arm with inscription Auspicio Regis et senatus anglie which mean under the auspices of the king and the english parliment. On the reverse is a lily cups wreath with arabic inscription "pulau pinang" (island of Penang). My coin here is struck by Madras mint which is inferior then the former.

1810 : minted by Royal Mint, London

1825 & 1828 : minted by Madras Mint, India

East India House

East India company is English chartered company formed for trade with East and Southeast Asia and India, incorporated in 1600. It began as a monopolistic trading body, establishing early trading stations at Surat, Madras (now Chennai), Bombay (Mumbai), and Calcutta (Kolkata). Trade in spices was its original focus; this broadened to include cotton, silk, and other goods. In 1708 it merged with a rival and was renamed the United Co. of Merchants of England Trading to the East Indies. Becoming involved in politics, it acted as the chief agent of British imperialism in India in the 18th – 19th century, exercising substantial power over much of the subcontinent.

The company's activities in China in the 19th century served as a catalyst for the expansion of British influence there; its financing of the tea trade with illegal opium exports led to the first Opium War (1839 – 42). From the late 18th century it gradually lost both commercial and political control; its autonomy diminished after two acts of Parliament (1773, 1774) established a regulatory board responsible to Parliament, though the act gave the company supreme authority in its domains. It ceased to exist as a legal entity in 1873.

source: Malaysia, Brunei & Singapore banknotes & coins book by K.N Boon, answer.com

You can try your luck by hunting for this item in penang and meet some of my friends. You can find them in Butterworth Roadwalk flea market.

Monday, January 5, 2009

Banknote and coin collecting; for collection or investment?

Many of us like to keep something for an investment. Coin and banknote collecting is a hobby but many Malaysian nowadays join banknote & coin collecting just for investing. Most of them is a young teen who just started to have some job and don't know what to do with their money. Some of them looking for other kind of investment beside stock market, property etc. This is good for coin dealer like me but a bit sad story for my collector point of view.

Most people do collecting because of the historical significance the coin or banknote has. If you have read my later post Spanish coin; pillar dollar, on the pillar coin stated the words VTRAQUE VNUM which meant "both are one". An expression of Spain oneness with its colonies. Why do that coin been called as pillar dollar? Is this coin special or have a great history? This is a story that most collector like me is eager to know. For me, any banknote & coin collection have its own story to tell.

Some people do collecting coin and banknote because the looks and artistic beauty of that particular collection itself. I collect Bhutan banknotes as on my later post Bhutan Banknote; land of thunder dragon because of the thunder dragon picture on the banknote and the temple picture on top of a hill. It is also the same story for Suriname Banknote; land of birds. The beautiful birds picture in all Suriname banknote make me wonder if Suriname is known for its birds.

Many people do collecting because they start from circulation banknote and coin in their country. I am a Malaysian, that's why I collect Malaysian banknotes and coins. I collect any banknote and coin that related to Malaysia; Penang-coat of arms series, Sarawak, British North Borneo, Malaya & British Borneo and Straits Settlements banknote and coins. I still kept my first banknotes collection which is a Malaya and British Borneo $10 dollar or called duit kerbau because of the Buffalo on the paddy field. I bought them for RM30 and the price for this item is around RM200 right now. Some joy feeling that only collector like me can appreciate.

How about investment? What to look for if you want to invest in coin collecting? Investment is about risking your money and in the end you're hoping that your investment will give you profit, is it? The easy and safe investment is to collect silver and gold coin. Buy as many cheap silver coin you can find and keep it. Try to keep it for at least 5 years to make profit. The only thing you need to look for is how to test for Silver and Gold. Just consider that as a risk you need to learn and swallow during the learning process.

Some people gamble their money in buying and selling Iraq dinar which is not acceptable in some country yet. Their theory is that when that money is in circulation in the future, the price will goes up and everyone who buy them will be a millionaire. Good luck for everyone who invest their money in this scheme.

You also can check you banknote or paper money for replacement banknote. Replacement banknote is printed to replace a faulty banknotes and is a rare in circulation. You also can check for some rare Malaysia banknote and coin and read about it on my later post How to start collecting label. Tan Sri Ali Abul signature RM1 banknote and Malaysia 1971 10sen coin is some that is worth to invest for if you can get them at a cheap price. Some people also collect Freak banknote and coin and same prefix or different prefix solid number banknote.

If you like to do some investment in banknote and coin collecting in Malaysia, flea market and Money Changer shop is a good place to look for. I have been doing my hunting trips for my banknote and coin not because I want to invest but I don't like buying my items at an expensive price. Some banknote and coin dealer, do sale their item at a very expensive price then what the Standard Catalogue market value suggest. While some is selling them expensively because it is a running number banknote. I try not to buy my item from local coin dealer and do the hunting myself.

The new type of collector making collecting coin more adventurous. People who collect for investing will keep their item for a long time and thus making the value of some of coin and banknote increasing. What you want to do is your choice. Just make sure you have a good reference book about coin collecting and a book that you can easily bring to travel with you. They're many fake and scam coin and banknote out there. For collecting or for investment, both also have a risk of be cheated by a seller. Do check your investment wisely before you commit on them. Good luck.

Sunday, January 4, 2009

My banknote and coin wish list for 2009

On a new year eve, a friend called me and we talk about new year resolutions. I think one of my wish list for 2009 already achieve on 1st January. Which is to make sure page rank for my blog going up. I got a page rank 3 out of 10 from google after a 5 month hard work. Sadly though, this PageRank isn't connected to search in google. I need to find a good tools for SEO or Search Engine Optimization. As of today, I only get an average 2 visitor come from search engine everyday.

Anyway, this year I am targeting that I can completed my Malaysia Strait Settlement coin collection. My friend phone called make me realized that I never check if I have a complete Straits Settlements coin collection. I still don't have some of the King Edward VII 1903 and 1904 coin. Most of the half and quarter cent coin still not in my possession and I want to buy any Queen Victoria coin I found in my next hunting trip.

I also wish I can buy some of this banknote for my collection this year. I want to buy them at least half of the price from the market value and in a very fine condition. I don't like to buy my banknote and coin at an expensive price but if I cannot find a cheaper price, maybe will need to go and buy from my local banknote dealer. I have been looking for this Straits Settlements $10 dollar 1935 and Malaya and British Borneo $50 dollar (found this picture from jennytee store, who sale them for RM3,800).

I also wish my page rank is stayed as it is and my search engine optimization is became better. There is still so much I need to learn about blogging and coin collecting. Please feel free to share your new year resolutions in here and may your wish become true.

Friday, January 2, 2009

Malaysia Brunei & Singapore Banknotes & Coins (4th Edition) by K.N Boon

Malaysia, Brunei & Singapore Banknotes & Coins (4th Edition) by K.N Boon is one of the Good reference Book for Malaysia banknote & coin. It is Published by Trigometric Sdn bhd which you can find at Amcorp Mall, Petaling Jaya. Their shop is just like you're walk in to a museum. All the banknotes is displayed in a glass wall. Amcorp Mall also held a weekly flea market on Saturday and Sunday as early as 8.00 am until up to 2.00 pm. At the Flea market, you can find banknote and coin dealar on the ground floor of Amcorp Mall.

This book come in 437 pages. Its cover almost all banknote & coin that been used from 1786 until 2008. I check some of old coin in that years hasn't been put in this book. For example kelantan and terengganu pitis or keping coinage, Duit ayam (singapore merchant token/coin) and any information regarding Brunei and Singapore coin (they only cover about their banknote not coin). It will be a great book if they have included all the coin and banknote from 1786 until 2008 in this book.

What I love about this book is the background information about each banknote and coin section. The information is written in Bahasa Melayu, English and Chinese. It isn't a complete information but at least they try to give their best informing their reader the history of that banknote or coin. For example, the story of Penang-coat of Arm series. I cannot find any good information about this coinage but this book give me a bit of information to enlighten me what to look for. Will put their story and what I found out about this coin next time.

Another thing is that the banknote grading table given in this book, for me is a good tool for newbie's to understand banknote grading. I type them again and put them on JPEG, You need to click them to view at its original size. It is an easy way to teach newbie's with this banknote table grading around. You just need to look at your banknote and look at some aspect of banknote like handling, paper, Holes, Tears, Integrity and folds.

Its coin in here is also in original size picture. The banknote and coin valuation is stated in Ringgit Malaysia and is a bit high then Malaysia banknote Standard Catalogue by Steven Tan. Beside the normal banknote value, they also have included a price for Malaysia solid number (same prefix and different prefix). I am not a fan of this kind of banknote but It will help to give a standard for this kind of banknote.

Some of banknote & coin celebrity picture I found via Wikipedia also can be found in this book. For me, this book is a good reference book, very informative and very handy in helping newbies to understand the true value of their banknote and coin. This book will add to my banknote and coin book collection and will be a helping hand for my blog.

I give a rating 3.5 out of 5 for this Book.