lunaticg banknote & coin: February 2009 | coin

Friday, February 27, 2009

Coin Terminology

This is some dictionary of terminology, glossary and word used in numismatic or coin collecting. This term in here is a words that used by many coin collector. Will update them time to time for a new word and their meaning. Please leave a comment if I missed any or giving a wrong definition.

Alloy: Mixture of more than one metal.

Anneal: To soften dies, planchets or metal by heat treatment.

Assay: Analytic test or trial to ascertain the fineness, weight and consistency of precious or other metal in coin or bullion.

Attribution: The identification of a numismatic item by characteristics such as issuing authority, date or period, mint, denomination, metal in which struck and by a standard reference.

Bag Marks: see contact marks

Base Metal: Non precious metal; e.g., copper.

Blank, Planchet: The disk of metal or other material before the dies of a coin, token or medal impress it. A blank is a piece that has not been given an upset rim; a planchet has the upset rim.

Clad: Composite coinage metal strip composed of a core, usually of a base metal such as copper and surface layers of more valuable metal like copper-nickel or silver.

Coin: A piece of metal, marked with a device, issued by a governing authority and intended to be used as money. Coins may or may not be legal tender.

Collar: A retaining ring die within which the coin dies operate. The collar (of the type called a close collar) forms the edge design of the piece, such as reeding or lettering.

Contact Marks: Surface abrasions found on coins because of coin striking the surfaces of other coins during bagging and shipping procedures. This is also called "bag marks", terms derived from the canvas bags coin were once shipped in from the mint.

Copper-nickel: Coinage alloy composed of copper and nickel in varying amounts.

Denomination: The face value of a coin; the amount of money it is worth as legal tender.

Denticles: Ornamental device used on rims of coins, often resembling teeth, hence the name; also "beading". Also called dentils.

Device: the principal design element, such as portrait, shield or heraldic emblem, on the obverse or reserve of a coin.

Die: A hardened metal punch, the face of which carries an intaglio or incused mirror image to be impressed on one side of a planchet.

Disme: Original spelling of "dime" used into the 1830s in mint document.

Edge: Often termed the third side of a coin, it is the surface perpendicular to the obverse and reverse. Not to be confused with the rim. Edges can be plain, reeded, lettered or carry other designs or a combination of edge elements.

Encapsulated coin: One that has been sealed in a plastic holder, especially by a third party grading service. The encapsulation is usually called by its nickname, "slab".

Field: The flat part of a surface of a coin surrounding and between the head, legend or other designs.

Fineness: Represents the purity of precious metal, either in monetary or bullion form. Often stated in terms of purity per 1,000 parts: A .925 fine silver coin has 92.5% silver and 7.5% other metal.

Flow lines: Microscopic striations in a coin's surface caused by the movement of metal under striking pressures. A coin's luster is caused by its flow lines; loss of luster is the result of wear to the flow lines.

Grading: The process of determining a coin's condition.

Hairlines: Fine scratches in the surface of the coin. Not to be confused with die scratches.

Hub: A right reading, positive punch used to impress incused, mirror-image dies.

Incuse: The opposite of bas-relief; design is recessed rather than raised.

Legal Tender: Currency (coin or paper money) explicitly determined by a government to be acceptable in the discharge of debts.

Legend: The inscription on a numismatic item.

Lettered edge: An inscription on a numismatic item.

Luster: Surface quality of a coin, result of light reflected from the microscopic flow lines.

Matte Proof: coins produced from dies entirely sandblasted with no mirror surfaces.

Minor coin: A silver coin of less than crown weight or any coin struck in base metal.

Mint Mark: A letter or other symbol indicating the mint of origin.

Mirror: Highly reflective, describing surface or field of a coin; usually mirror field with frosted relief.

Nickel: A silver-white metal widely used for coinage.

Obverse: the side of a coin that bears the principal design or device, often as prescribed by the issuing authority. (the head side)

Overdate: The date made by a mint engraver superimposing one or more numbers over the date on a previously dated die.

Pattern: coin like piece designed to test coin designs, mottoes or denominations proposed for adoption as a regular issue and struck in the metal to be issued for circulation but that was not adopted, at least in year of pattern issue.

Planchet: the disk of metal that when placed between the dies and struck becomes a coin. Also called flan or blank.

Proof: A coin struck on specially prepared planchets on special presses to receive the highest quality strike possible, especially for collectors.

Prooflike: An uncirculated coin having received special minting treatment and a mirror surface for the benefit of collectors with minor imperfections due to the minting process permissible.

Reeded edge: The result of a minting process that creates vertical serrations on the edge of a coin.

Restrike: A numismatic item produced from original dies and by the original issuer but later than original issues. In the case of a coin, the restrike usually occurs to fulfill a collector demand and a not a monetary requirement. Sometimes "restrike" is used in a broader sense to refer to coins restruck at a later date but not from original dies or by the original issuing authority.

Reverse: The side opposite to obverse; usually but not always the side with denomination. The side opposite the side containing the principal design. Informally the "tails"

Rim: raised border around the circumference of a coin not to be confused with the edge.

Ringed bimetallic coin: A coin composed of two parts; a holed ring into which is inserted a core. the two parts are often different colors and compositions.

Seigniorage: The profits resulting from the difference between the cost to make a coin and its face value, or its worth as money and legal tender. most coins cost less to make than their face value; when it becomes too expensive to make a certain coin, its size, weight and composition are often changed.

Series: Related coinage of the same denomination, design and type, including modifications and varieties.

Slab: A rigid plastic, sonically sealed holder, usually rectangular, especially one used by third party grading services.

Specie: In the form of coin, especially precious metal coin; paper money redeemable in coin. From the Latin meaning "in kind".

Subtype: A modification of a plastic design type that leaves the basic theme intact without major revision.

Surcharge: An extra charge placed on an item, the revenue of which is usually earmarked for a specific fund.

Trade dollar: A silver dollar coin produced for overseas market.

Type: A basic coin design, regardless of minor modifications.

Type set: A collection composed of one of each coin of a given series or period.

Uncirculated set: Set of coin, consisting of one of each coin issued for circulation. Also called Uncirculated Mint set or unofficially, a Mint set.

Upsetting mill: A machine that squeezes planchets so that they have a raised rim, in preparation for striking.

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Kruggerrand demand boost gold coin output

Yesterday, I found this news in my local Star newspaper. The Krugerrand, named after President Paul Kruger of the old Boer republic of the Transvaal, was first mass produced in 1970 and remains the world's dominant and most widely held gold bullion coin. The millennium coin is engraved with the image of a springbok.

..........................................................................................................................................................................

STARBIZ

wednesday, 25 february 2009.

JOHANNESBURG: Rand Refinery Ltd, the world's largest gold refinery, increased coin output to the highest in about 23 years as demand for South African Kruggerrands rose. The Johannesburg refinery last month doubled weekly production to 20,000 ounces of blank coins for minting by the state's SA Mint as Kruger coins, Johan Botha, head of precious metals sales, said by phone from the city yesterday.

Gold, the best performing metal in 2008, is trading near its March 17 record of US$1,032.70 an ounce as investors seek safer bets than equities and currencies. Goldman Sachs Group Inc raised its three-month gold forecast by 43% to US$1,000 an ounce this month.

"Demand for our blank is higher than we've seen since 1986." Botha said "In the early 1980s gold then was a novelty and people wanted to own physical gold."

Rand Refinery has manufactured, marketed and delivered more than 46 million ounces of Kruggerrands since the gold coin was introduced in 1967, according to the company's website.

"Record stock market lows are translating into record highs for gold and Kruggerrands," Alan Demby, chairman of the South African Gold Coin Exchange, said in an e-mailed statement last week. Investor are "piling into Kruggerrands and Nelson Mandela gold medallions," he said. -Bloomberg

..........................................................................................................................................................................

Source: Bloomberg, randrefinery.com, Star.com.my

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

proof coin collector?

Proof coin are available as single coin or come in set. Most of proof coin is either in gold or silver. Their mintage is limited and in Malaysia case, some of the proof coin mintage are already given to national leader as a gift and souvenir thus making to own own a bit harder.

A proof coin have a mirror like surface that come from a special planchets on special presses to receive the highest quality strike available. Normally it come with a box to protect the proof coin. Proof coin is not meant for circulation, as it is a coin for a collector. A proof is not a grade, it is a way or process on how the coin is made.

Each proof coin is struck two or more times to ensure that the detail is brought up fully for each coin. Circulation coin struck only once. Proof coin also struck on a special presses that operate at a slower speeds than the high speed presses used for circulation coin.

I don't collect proof coin because I like to hold my coin directly. For me, the box that come with proof coin is making it hard for me to keep them. I need to find a place to put all the coin. I like to keep my coin in an album rather than in boxes. I don't think many Malaysian is a proof coin collector like uncle Thiru in Port Klang. As I can see from the catalog, the price of a proof coin is not much a difference every year. This is only my private opinion though, if you want to invest by collecting a proof coin, it is your choice.

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Malaysia coin story

The independent limited constitutional monarchy of Malaysia, which occupies the southern part of the Malay Peninsula in Southeast Asia and the northern part of the island of Borneo, has an area of 127,316 sq. mi. (329,750 sq. km.) and a population of 15.4 million. Capital: Kuala Lumpur. The economy is based on agriculture, mining and forestry. Rubber, tin, timber and palm oil are exported.

Malaysia came into being on Sept. 16, 1963, as a federation of Malaya (Johore, Kelantan, Kedah, Perlis, Trengganu, Negri Sembilan, Pahang, Perak, Selangor, Penang, Malacca), Singapore, Sabah (British North Borneo) and Sarawak. Following two serious racial riots involving Malays and Chinese, Singapore withdrew from the federation on Aug. 9, 1965. Malaysia is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations.

Malaya gained its independent on 31st August 1957. Sabah and Sarawak joined Malaya to form Malaysia on 16 September 1963. Bank Negara Malaysia has been given the authority to issue Malaysia currency since 1958. This authority was given under Bank Negara Tanah Melayu Ordinance 1958. The Board of commissioners of Currency Malaya and British Borneo still continued to issue currency until 12 June 1967. On 16 January 1969, the old Malaya currency legal tender value been ceased. Before that, it been circulated alongside 1st Malaysia currency since June 1967.

MINT MARK
FM - Franklin Mint, U.S.A.
*NOTE: From 1975-1985 the Franklin Mint produced coinage
in up to 3 different qualities.

MONETARY SYSTEM
100 Sen = 1 Ringgit (Dollar)

Parliament building history

The obverse of Malaysia first coin is Malaysia Parliament building. In December 1959, an area near the Kuala Lumpur Lake Gardens was chosen as the site on which to build the Parliament Building Complex, a building that symbolizes the democratic principles that are practised. These principles are the rights and responsibilities of the citizens to rule their own country, the freedom of each citizen to voice his or her own opinions, the freedom to practise his or her own religion, equal rights before the law and the right to own properties.

Thus in September 1962, a hill 61 metre above the sea level was flattened to build this glorious building. The RM18 million-complex was the idea of Yang Teramat Mulia Tuanku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj, Malaysia's first Prime Minister.

The placement of the building's foundation stone was done by the third Paramount Ruler, Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Seri Paduka Baginda Yang Di-Pertuan Agong, the Malay Federation, Tuanku Syed Putra Al-Haj Ibni Al-Marhum Syed Hassan Jamalullail D.S.M, S.M.N. DK (BRUNEI) on 31 August 1962, which marked the beginning of the construction of the building. On 21 November 1963, His Highness was again given the honour to officiate the opening of the building.

Source: www.parlimen.gov.my, Krause Publication.

Friday, February 20, 2009

Strait settlement story

The establishment of the Straits Settlements followed the Anglo-Dutch Treaty of 1824 between the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, by which the Malay archipelago was divided into a British zone in the north and a Dutch zone in the south. This resulted the exchange of the British settlement of Bencoolen (on Sumatra) for the Dutch colony of Malacca and undisputed control of Singapore. Its capital was moved from Penang to Singapore in 1832.

Straits Settlements situated on the Malay Peninsula of Asia, was formed in 1826 by combining the territories of Singapore, Penang and Malacca. The colony was administered by the East India Company until its abolition in 1858. Straits Settlements was a part of British India from 1858 to 1867 at which time it became a Crown Colony.

The Straits Settlements coinage gradually became acceptable legal tender in the neighboring Federated as well as the Unfederated Malay States. The Straits Settlements were dissolved in 1946, while the coinage continued to circulate until demonetized at the end of 1952.

RULER

British

MINT MARKS

H - Heaton, Birmingham

W - Soho Mint

B - Bombay

MONETARY SYSTEM

100 Cents = 1 Dollar

COIN

The first coins issued for the Straits Settlements in 1845 were ¼, ½ and 1 cent denominations in copper. They were issued by the East India Company and did not bear any indication of where they were to be used. A second issue of the same denominations was produced in 1862 by the government of British India. These bore the inscription "India - Straits".

In 1871, silver coins were issued in the name of the Straits Settlements for 5, 10 and 20 cents, followed by copper ¼, ½ and 1 cent the next year and silver 50 cents in 1886. Silver dollars were first minted in 1903.

A 3 page special issue of the Straits Settlements Government Gazette published in Singapore on 24 Aug. 1904, contained the following proclamation by then Governor, Sir John Anderson. From 31 Aug. 1904, British, Mexican and Hong Kong Dollars would cease to be legal tender and would be replaced by the newly introduced Straits Settlements Dollar.

The purpose of this action was to create a separate exchange value for the new Straits Dollar as compared with the other silver dollars that were circulating in the region, notably the British trade dollar. The idea was that when the exchange value had diverged significantly from that of the other silver dollars, then the autorities would peg it to sterling at that value, hence putting the Straits Settlements unto the gold exchange standard. This pegging occurred when the Straits Dollar reached the value of two shillings and four pence (2s 4d) against sterling.

Within a few years, the value of silver rose rapidly such as to make the silver value of the Straits dollar higher than its gold exchange value. In order to prevent these dollars from being melted down, a new smaller dollar was issued in 1907 with a reduced silver content. A parallel story occurred in the Philippines at the same time. The last ¼ cent coins were issued in 1916. Dollars were last struck for circulation in 1920, with 50 cents production ending in 1921. The remaining coins continued in production until 1935.

BANKNOTE

Queen Victoria (1837 - 1901)

The Government of Straits Settlements, was first authorised to issue currency notes by Ordinance VIII of 1897, which came into operation on 31 August 1898. These notes, although dated 1 September 1898, were not issued to the public until 1 May 1899. Both the Chartered Bank and Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank continued to issue banknotes, which circulated side by side with the official currency. All notes were freely exchangeable with the Mexican dollar or the various other silver coins that were legal tender in the Colony.

King Edward VII (1901 - 1910)

King Edward ascended the throne in January 1901. In the previous issue the 5-dollar note had been of almost the same size and design as the 10-dollar. To make recognition more simple it was reduced in size. The series dated 1 February 1901 were printed by Thomas de la Rue & Co. Ltd. of London. In 1903, a dollar-sized coin in silver was minted specially for the Straits Settlements, and this became the standard unit of value. All other silver dollars at that time circulation were demonetized by 1904. A step rise in the price of silver, however, soon forced the government to call int the first issue of this Straits dollar and to replace it with a coin of lower silver content.

King George V (1910 - 1936)

During this reign the range of currency notes was extended up to one thousand dollars for the convenience of inter-bank clearing transactions. In 1915, it was decided to make a complete change in the design of the 50, 100 and 1000 dollar notes. These denominations were first issued to the public in February 1920, October 1919 and May 1917 respectively. They were printed by Thomas de la Rue. A 10,000 note was first issued in October 1922. This was not available to the public, but was used exclusively in inter-bank transfers.

Source: wikipedia, Krause Publication.

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Malaysia Rare Coin Table Price

Yesterday another reader is suggesting that I make a table for Malaysia rare coin price and value. Thank you for your suggestion and I post them for all of you in here. I try to put that table in this blog but the size keep automatically resizing in blogspot. I change them to jpeg format and If any of you want to view it, just click to enlarge and save them as picture. The price is according to Malaysia, Brunei and Singapore Standard Catalog (18th edition) by Steven Tan. A new catalog should be out by this year and I will update you with their new price next time.

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Malaysia Rare Coin

A reader is asking me What is Malaysia rare coin? I have been discussing this in many of my post before. Some of the coin is very hard to find and most dealer will not sale them according to catalog price. Error coin, coin that been tested for security feature but go out in circulation and Malaysia coin in circulation but have a low mintage is some of the rare coin that we can find in Malaysia.

An error coin is extremely rare to find but you can try to look them in any auction site. It is also hard to determine the price of an error coin because not everyone is looking for them. I try to look for Malaysia error coin and I found two auction that selling a clipped and a crack coin in e-bay Malaysia. Just beware about a clip coin, I found some video on how to do trick for a clipped coin in YouTube few years ago. Will try to look for them again next time and put in this blog. Some Malaysia error coin including blank obverse or reverse or both.

For circulation coin, Malaysia 1971 10 sen coin is a must for rare coin collector. Only 32,326 of this coin has been mintage and it is very hard to find a Uncirculated condition for this coin. I found one flea market seller who is selling this coin in Butterworth Roadwalk last year. Another extremely rare coin is Malaysia 1 sen 1979 nickel coin. So far only 2 coin has been found. This is some of the Malaysia rare coin that you must look for if you're looking for a rare coin.

-Malaysia 1970 1 sen -only 2,000,000 has been mintage

-Malaysia 1976 bronze 1 sen -only 100 pieces known to exist

-Malaysia 1979 nickel 1 sen -only 2 pieces known to exist

-Malaysia 1982 5 sen with extra dot on Parliament house

-Malaysia 1971 10 sen -only 32,326 has been mintage

-Malaysia 1970 20 sen -only 1,054,000 has been mintage

-Malaysia 1969 50 sen -only 2,000,000 has been mintage

-Malaysia 1979 50 sen extra dot

-Malaysia 1967, 1968 & 1969 50 sen without security edge.

You can find their price from my later post You need extra money, check your coin. A new standard catalog should be out by this year and the price should be going up. If you can find any of this rare coin in your possession (without buying them from a coin dealer), consider yourself a very lucky person. If I forget to put any coin that you think should be consider as a rare coin please do tell me via e-mail or comment, will be glad to put them in here. Happy hunting for all of you.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Collection Database

I buy my coin most of the time from flea market, antique shop or money changer. Sometime I don't know what is the origin of the coin in my possession. A book is a must have tools and Google is an easy way to find their info in the world wide web. Other then that, I will look for information in some forum or website that have some similar collection that I have.

Recently, I found this collection database by American Numismatic Society that have a major collection of coin I can found. They have coin from Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Islamic, East Asian, South Asian, Medieval, United States, Latin America, Modern and Medal collections. I try to look for Mexican pillar dollar with this collection database. I found that the database don't have it's picture, only some coin detail. Most of the coin with picture in here is American coin.

Their form is very easy to understand and you don't need to put all the detail in there. I just try putting year 1741 in the Date on Object field and select silver as material. When I click show result, the result page will be coming out within a few second. The result page only a bit slow when you need to wait for a picture to come out. Other then that, this database collection is another great tools to help you identifying your coin collection.

You can find their database collection here: ANS database collection

Monday, February 16, 2009

Plastic Money

I am looking for Polymer banknotes history like how people start to make polymer banknotes. Found some info in wikipedia but I think this old story from thestar.com.my is more suitable to what i am looking for. I am not a fan of Polymer banknotes because most of the time the design and the price not that attractive to me. I have meet most of this guy in their shop at Amcorp Mall before and their book World Polymer Banknotes- a standard reference is still the best books about polymer banknote.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Monday August 15, 2005

Durable plastic money
By MAJORIE CHIEW

Polymer banknotes have been around for almost a quarter of a century, with more than three billion bills circulating in 26 countries today. Malaysia first joined the plastic money club with a RM50 denomination. Now, three Malaysians have put the country ahead of the polymer pack. After eight months of research, three Malaysian banknote collectors wrote, compiled and designed a collector’s tome, World Polymer Banknotes – A Standard Reference.

The trio – Peter Eu, Ben Chiew and Julian Chee – claim the book is the first reference in its category which documents and records the history, development and listing of world polymer banknotes.

“It’s timely as there has not been such a publication on polymer banknotes of the world,” says Eu, 35, a decade-long collector of these banknotes. Chiew, also 35, started the hobby eight years ago while Chee, 32, got the bug only two years ago. In fact, it was the shared passion that brought the Malacca High School alumni together, first as collectors and then, business partners.

Interest in polymer banknotes has come out, seemingly from nowhere, over the past few years. It is the swelling ranks of collectors that convinced the trio of the need for such a book, that introduces as well as promotes the hobby.

Why collect polymer banknotes?

Eu started it as a hobby because he felt “polymer banknotes are more durable, colourful as well as exciting.” “Polymer notes are easier and more affordable to collect,” says Chiew. Even though collectors have to pay a certain premium than the face value of these currencies, the premium is not that high. Besides, many of these polymer banknotes are still legal tender compared to paper currencies, of which some may not be legal tender but still have numismatic value.

Collecting polymer currencies can be an educational journey, if not an appreciation of the artwork. “A collector can learn about the country and prominent icons. Children, too, can find it an invaluable lesson. They can enhance their knowledge of the world,” Chee says. Banknote enthusiasts also make new acquaintances in their search for rare, interesting or “missing” banknotes to complete their collections.

One can start to collect through exchanging with other collectors, via the Internet or ebay. “Flea markets in the Klang Valley can also be a place to look out for these notes,” says Chee, who cited Amcorp Mall in Petaling Jaya as a location where dealers and collectors can be found.

Polymer banknotes are considerably new in Malaysia. In 1998, Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) issued a RM50 polymer banknote. It was a commemorative issue in conjunction with the XVI Commonwealth Games. Only half a million were issued. “Nine out of 10 Malaysians probably have not seen the RM50 polymer banknote,” says Eu, who thinks that “polymer banknotes will be the future of currency.”

Benefits of polymer banknotes

Last year, BNM released a new polymer RM5 banknote which all of us are familiar with.

“Compared to paper banknotes, the polymer banknotes are twice as expensive to produce, but last four to five times longer. As a result, they are replaced less often which leads to lower production costs. They can more durable and won’t fade with handling. Hence, they can be washed and won’t get damaged in the washing machine,” he says.

Polymer banknotes are clean throughout their life. Impermeable to water, sweat or liquid, they don’t absorb moisture, odour or get stained. The final over coating (with a protective varnish) also protects the banknote from excessive ink wear.

Polymer banknotes have better security. These banknotes can incorporate new and advanced security features unavailable to paper banknotes such as transparent window and holograms. The transparent window is a key security feature of a polymer banknote.

A notable history

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, du Pont pioneered this evolution of technology in currency with its Tyvek polymer, a material that was jointly developed by du Pont and American Banknote Company. It was later discovered that the printing ink does not bond to the Tyvek material and after handling a few times, the ink on the notes smudges and wears off.

The first three countries to introduce such banknotes were Haiti, Costa Rica and Isle of Man.

In the late 1980s, the Reserve Bank of Australia developed and perfected the technique with Guardian polymer, and introduced plastic banknotes in 1988. Today, all countries that issue polymer currency use this version.

Currently, Australia, New Zealand and Romania have fully converted to polymer banknotes.

Brunei also plans to fully convert to polymer banknotes except for big denominations involving B$500, B$1,000 and B$10,000.

World Polymer Banknotes – A Standard Reference (1st edition 2005/2006) is available from MPH, Kinokuniya and other major bookstores at RM39.90. It can also be purchased from the website, www.eurekametro.com

The 208-page reference book lists more than 500 banknotes with 60 banknotes illustrated in high-resolution images. It is educational for both collectors and non-collectors as it includes the currency history, data of each country, description of the artwork of each banknote and information of the currency.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Source: the star-lifestyle-15 August 2005

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Malaya coin Price

Yesterday A reader of this blog asking me about a Malaya 1950 coin and how much their price would be. It is hard to determine the price of the coin without looking at the actual coin itself. You need to see the condition and grading the coin. A coin with high grade (Uncirculated) is a very hard to find for an old coin like this. Normally coin in possesion is in Very fine condition and not worth so much. Here is the price from Standard catalog for Malaysia, Brunei and Singapore 18th edition Book by Steven Tan for that reader reference.

Source: Standard catalog for Malaysia, Brunei and Singapore 18th edition Book by Steven Tan

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

New Danish Banknote 2009

I am looking for this query via google and I found some story about new banknote for this year. The New Danish@Denmark banknotes for 2009-2011 will be officially out on 11 August 2009. A new 50-krone banknote will be issued as the first in a new Danish series. The new series will make it even more difficult to counterfeit or copy genuine banknotes.

The theme of the new banknotes is Danish bridges and the surrounding landscapes, or details from these landscapes. The artist Karin Birgitte Lund has chosen to interpret this theme in two ways: bridges as links between various parts of Denmark and as links between the past and the present. The present is represented by the bridges, the past by five distinctive prehistoric objects found near the bridges.

Among the new security features is a motion thread with a "moving" motif. Another feature is a new, sophisticated hologram that reflects light in different colours. The new banknotes will also have the traditional security features such as the watermark and the hidden security thread. In the interests of the blind and partially sighted, the 100- and 200-krone banknotes will have embossed print to make it easier to distinguish them from each other. Like the current series, the banknotes will differ in size, which is also helpful to the blind and partially sighted.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

When will the new banknotes be issued?
The expected schedule for introducing the new banknotes is as follows:

• 50 kroner: 11 August 2009 – depicting the Sallingsund Bridge and the Skarpsalling vessel

• 100 kroner: May 2010 – depicting the old Little Belt Bridge and the Hindsgavl dagger

• 200 kroner: October 2010 – depicting Knippelsbro and a belt-plate from Langstrup

• 500 kroner: February 2011 – depicting Queen Alexandrine's Bridge and the bronze vessel from Keldby

• 1,000 kroner: May 2011 – depicting the Great Belt Bridge and the Sun Chariot

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Source: wikipedia, national bank of Denmark, Hoghway.dk

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Malaysia Numismatic Society

You can find Malaysia Numismatic Society website at www.money.org.my. The organisation has been form on 19th May 1968 at the Malayan Nam Ann Low Clansman Association, 17C, Jalan Gereja, Kuala Lumpur.

The founder members present at the inaugural meeting were the late Mr. Sim Ewe Eong JSM. FRNS., the late Mr. H. Ottevanger, Mr. Tony Lye Fong Nge, the late Mr. C.C. Low, the late Mr. M.L.A. Rashid, Mr. Yee Yue Phang, Mr. Low Yow Tian and Mr. J.M.M. Bell. Their website has been officially launched on 7th. August 2005. As the time of my last visit, there are only 7382 visitor to this website.

They have some tips on how to handle banknote and coin, how to do grading and something about specimen notes or replacement notes in their knowledge base section. Like any normal collector, they strongly advise their reader not to clean coins and banknotes. Most people who is new in coin collecting will do coin cleaning.

Since 2005, the only update that I can see in this website is their Auction list in announcement. Some of their auction is cheaper then standard catalogue price and worth to wait for. You need to be a member to participate in their auction. I normally will asked a friend who is a member to buy anything that I like in there. They usually held an auction 4 times a year.

I wish they will make more update for their activities to attract more new member.

Source: money.org.my

Monday, February 9, 2009

Woman to appear on SKorean banknote for 1st time

I found this news via star online while searching for some information regarding some korean banknote and coin I found recently. I never realize that South Korea never have a women appear in their banknote after reading about this. I do wish Malaysia also will do the same to any coin or banknote that will be produced in the future. Woman also part of history and people who contributed for the development of any country. When I try to find further reading about this in south korea bank website, i received page not found error.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Published: Tuesday January 27, 2009 MYT 9:01:00 PM

Updated: Tuesday January 27, 2009 MYT 9:02:22 PM

SEOUL, South Korea (AP): A woman will appear on South Korean banknotes for the first time, with the issuance of a new 50,000-won ($36) bill, the central bank announced Tuesday.

The front of the bill - South Korea's largest-denominated note _ will show artwork by and a portrait of Shin Saim-dang, a well-known artist who died in 1551. Shin was the mother of Yi I, a famous Confucian scholar, and is popularly referred to as a symbol of a "wise mother and good wife."

Some of Shin's artwork already appears on the back of the 5,000-won note; the front of the bill is adorned with a portrait of Yi, known by his pen name Yulgok. Shin was one of the most respected female figures in Korea's Joseon Dynasty, which ruled from 1392 to 1910.

An official with the Bank of Korea said the choice of Shin was significant because it marks the first time a woman will be featured on the banknotes of South Korea, a traditionally male-dominated society. The new note has strengthened anti-forgery technologies and will debut before June, said the official who asked not to be named as he was not authorized to speak to media.

The note will be the country's highest-denominated bill followed by the 10,000 won. The bank decided last week not to issue a 100,000-won (about $70) bill at the government's request.

Source: thestar.com.my, thechinapost.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Related Post:

Friday, February 6, 2009

Eastern Carribean Story

The East Caribbean States, formerly the British Caribbean Territories (Eastern Group), formed a currency board in 1950 to provide the constituent territories of Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados, British Guiana (now Guyana), British Virgin Islands, Anguilla, St. Kitts, Nevis, Antigua, Dominica, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and Grenada with a common currency, thereby permitting withdrawal of the regular British Pound currency. This was dissolved in 1965 and after the breakup, the East Caribbean Territories, a grouping including Barbados, the Leeward and Windward Islands, came into being. Coinage of the dissolved ‘Eastern Group’ continues to circulate. Paper currency of the East Caribbean Authority was first issued in 1965 and although Barbados withdrew from the group they continued using them prior to 1973 when Barbados issued a decimal coinage.

The East Caribbean dollar (sign: $; code: XCD) is the currency of eight of the nine members of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States. It has existed since 1965 and is normally abbreviated with the dollar sign $ or, alternatively, EC$ to distinguish it from other dollar-denominated currencies. The EC$ is subdivided into 100 cents. It has been pegged to the United States dollar at US$1 = EC$2.7 since 1976.

Six of the states using the EC$ are independent states: Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. The other two are British overseas territories: Anguilla and Montserrat. These states are all members of the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union. The only OECS member not using the East Caribbean dollar as their de facto currency is the British Virgin Islands, which uses the U.S. dollar instead. Queen Elizabeth II appears on the banknotes and the obverse of the coins: she is the head of state of all the states and territories using the EC$, except Dominica.

Eastern carribean banknote is one of the most beautiful paper money in this world. What I have here is a 2004 five dollar banknote with almost the same security features with the current banknote. It have country code (I still cannot find M stand for which country) and machine readable bar code.

See-through Feature

On all of the banknotes, there are fish in the bottom left hand corner on the front of the notes. When the notes are held up to the light, parts of the fish fill in, as areas on the back of the note line up perfectly with the front.

Watermark

There is a watermark depicting Queen Elizabeth II on each of the notes. The mould-made watermark appears three-dimensional when the note is held up to the light.

Security Thread

The security thread has been upgraded. When the banknote is viewed from the front under reflected UV light, the letters ECCB and the denominational value of the note are clearly visible in yellow, against a blue background. A second security thread has also been added. This is a narrow, continuous black line, to the left of the Queen's portrait.

Source: Eastern carribean central bank, Wikipedia, Krause Publications.

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Singapore Duit Ayam

Singapore Merchant Tokens or Duit Ayam (1828 -1853)

Merchant tokens were "imitation" coins produced by Singapore Merchants in the 19th century to facilitate trade and commerce in the Malay Archipelago. These tokens owed its origin to the phenomenal growth of Singapore as a center of trade in the region. The Singapore Merchants felt that they should not be dependent on the Dutch for the subsidiary coinage and asked the English East India Company to provide the suitable coinage. This failed and the merchants resorted to the issue of their own doits which became known as 'Merchant Tokens'.

The initial tokens were imitations of the East India Company 1-keping coins, which were the predominant currency, used in the Sumatra Trade. In 1830, the Singapore merchants commenced the issue of tokens imitating the Dutch quarter stiver. The initial issue of tokens proved to be successful as they easily gained the acceptance of the native traders. By 1832, the tokens were firmly established and with the increasing development of trade, they were in constant demand.

Subsequently, tokens of a more varied type were introduced. A series was produced for the States in the Malay Peninsula. Further issues were struck for Sumatra States and the Celebes. These tokens were in general use in Singapore. The official Dutch doits were generally replaced by the tokens in the native states. However, with the protest by the Dutch on the imitation of the Dutch doits, the British government began to intervene and minting of the tokens was suppressed. The Singapore merchants however, refused to be deterred as they had no intention of leaving the supply of copper coinage in the hands of the Dutch which would deprive them of a share in the very lucrative trade. The merchants promptly placed new orders for tokens not imitating any official coin. This resulted in the general extension of the 'cock' (ayam) tokens that became the standard design. The Soho Mint in Birmingham, UK, produced the 'cock' tokens. There were numerous die variations of the 'cock' tokens.

These tokens continued to circulate until the demand fell after 1847 when the East India Company introduced the first copper coinage for the Straits Settlements.

Source: Monetary Authority of Singapore

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Klang : 31 january 2009 hunting trip

Another place I visit for my hunting trip on 31 January 2009 is in Taman Sri Andalas. A friend told me that an old man is selling banknote and coin near a 4D shop beside a Public Bank in that place. I try to look for Public Bank upon my arrival there but I cannot see any person Selling banknote beside that 4D shop. I walk and browsing near that place and found Uncle Ah San at a 4D Magnum.

Uncle Ah San told me that he only doing sale at 4D Shop beside Public Bank on Friday. Saturday and Sunday he will be doing his sale at this 4D shop(Magnum). He will be there from 10.00 am until 3.00 pm. He has been selling banknote & coin at this places for almost 7 years. At the time of my visit there, I saw him talking in Chinese dialect while holding a piece of Malaya & British Borneo $10 dollar (duit Kerbau). When I asked him if that banknote is for sale, he said no. Only that the last digit of his banknote almost come up and strike 1st price for Magnum 4D.

I saw many old Malaya & British Borneo coin in his possession. He also sale some world coin but the condition for all the coin is almost very fine. He is also selling amulet (I don't pretty sure is it a Chinese or Thailand amulet). Almost all his banknote is in fine condition. He don't have any hand phone number that I can put in here so if you passed by Taman Sri Andalas in Klang on Friday until Saturday, feel free to check his sale.

Monday, February 2, 2009

Port Klang : 31 january 2009 hunting trip

On 31 January 2009 I am doing some hunting trip for rare coin in My place in Klang. I am not looking for a big time coin dealer but just some seller who is like me, a small time seller. I heard about this two place in Klang, Taman Sri Andalas and Persiaran Raja Muda Musa. At first, I go a place in Persiaran Raja Muda Musa, Port Klang.

I meet with A.P Thirumalai in his shop Thiru's numismatic & Handicraft at Jalan Persiaran Raja Muda Musa, Port Klang. When I asked if I can take his picture he refused and asked me to take some of his proof coin collection instead. He has a very small collection of strait settlement coin, world coin and some token for sale. He said that he has been selling coin and banknotes since 2004. He has a very good collection of proof coin for sale. He got almost perfect collection of Malaysia proof coin, the only proof coin that isn't in his possession is Malaysia Commemorative Gold Proof set of 3 Tunku Abdul Rahman, 25th anniversary of independence. All is proof coin and gold proof coin is for sale due to some reason that you need to asked him yourself.

One of an interesting proof coin he share with me that day is Australia one dollar Prince William of Wales 21st anniversary dated 21 june 2003. There are only 12,400 piece of this coin and he is the lucky one to have them. He is selling this coin for RM2,000. If you want to look for a proof coin at a bargaining price, you can contact him at +6012-6293913 or +603-31669957. His small shop is just at the main road (Persiaran Raja Muda Musa) in Port Klang.

Sunday, February 1, 2009

mudah.com.my

My mudah.com.my Sale

Currently I am shifted my sales to mudah.com.my. Mudah is easy to manage and I don't need to relist my item everytime I do sales after 10 days. Currently mudah.com.my is free for private used and I been trying this site last month and it is on par with lelong.com.my in term with visitor. just want to make this announce to all my buyer in Malaysia.

My mudah.com.my Sale