Every month, there is over a dozen question asked by my reader about coin, banknote, collection, item price and accessories that related to numismatic world. I will be sharing them every month. Do mind though, I am not an expert. I just like to share what I know and what I read about this hobbies. If you think that my answer is wrong, feel free to comment in here. Just make sure you don't spam me with unrelated link. I am editing some of this question to make sure it is relevant to this blog. Keep on giving me question to lunaticg@gmail.com. I will try to answered them.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------Wilson:
Hi Mr.Lunaticg,
I have been following your blog and it seems that you loved collecting coins.
Lately I picked up coin collecting and got addicted. I target only Silver Straits Settlement or Malaya coins as there are too much coins to collect. Banknotes from that era is too expensive to collect.
Anyways, I read from your blog that a new catalogue will be published this year and price is expected to rise. How much % do you believe that will increase in price?
Good grades coins are hard to get (maybe I am not looking at the right place). 1 Silver dollar coin from the Straits Settlement or Malaya is causing me a leg to purchase.
As each year passes by, good/rare items are being horded by scalpers/traders. This hugely decreases the quantity for items to be collected. How will the industry sustain if everybody is buying? Most will resale them back for an even higher price.
Maybe that is why collecting is a dying hobby due to its high cost.
Me:
Hi Wilson.
Thanks for the follows.
Catalogue is just a guide to us buyer and seller, doing our transaction. Sometimes, the writer don't put the real market value on them since he don't go out and buy item from other places. Some item is more expensive in real market then in the book. Normally, the market price increase between 5% a year for straits settlements silver coins, the last book is published in 2007. the increase should be around 20-30% for the new book. Some items like the one dollar coins or the 50 cents, depends on the years minted might be up over 100%. Expect a much more high rise on Queen Victoria Straits Settlements coins.
Most of the new collector are investor, they intend to collect and sell it later for profit. Its help the collecting hobbies itself. The big problem with Malaysian collector is that we don't have many things to collect and invest. In United States, they can start collecting by finding rare items in their circulation coins.
Last time, Penang is the heaven if you want to buy cheap straits settlements coins. Now, you might ending up not buying anything when visiting Penang.
Regarding that new catalogue, I haven't heard anything about it now.
Don't expect it will be out this year.
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Question: Good place for selling a bunch of old coin?
Johann:
Hi Lunaticg,
My dad left me some coins which are quite large and look old. Where can I go to get a good price for them without being cheated? Thanks.
Me:
Hi Johann.
Old coin doesn't mean it will have a high value. you need to look at the coin condition, material used and rarity to make it valuable.
Where are you exactly? If you're in Kuala Lumpur, you can try sell them to coin trader. Most of them will be in Amcorp Mall flea market on Saturday and Sunday. Do mind though, the price will be at least 50% then the actual value.
The best thing you can do if you want to get a high value is selling them online yourself via eBay. You can also check the same website for your coin price or you can e-mail me the obverse and reverse picture of the coin, I will try to check its value. Try to sell them cheaper then other seller.
Other option is via online auction site (Spink, heritage etc). I don't know where do you came from, I cannot give you suggestion. They normally charge between 10-20% commision.
Wish that will give any help.
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Question: Do Bank Negara Mint their coin every year? I cannot find some years on the coins.
Leon:
Hi,
i was reading a post of your blog regarding bout malaysian coins value and it's minted quantity.
i notice that some of the years are missing from the chart, i would like to know does it mean that there's some years where there is no coin being minted?i was reading a post of your blog regarding bout malaysian coins value and it's minted quantity.
i notice that some of the years are missing from the chart, i would like to know does it mean that there's some years where there is no coin being minted?
Me:
Hi Leon.
Yes. The missing years mean Bank Negara Malaysia don't mint any coin for that particular year.
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Question: Where can I find a reliable coin dealer in Melaka?
Clement:
Hi,
Happened to chance upon your blog, must say it is pretty informative and interesting.
I am also a collector of banknotes...Straits, Malaya, Borneo, Singapore and some Malaysian notes/coins.
Wondering if you could help me in locating reliable dealers in Melaka, as I will be going there.
Hi clement.
Sorry for a late reply.
Have you read my post: Jonker street Melaka
I am not very familiar with Melaka but I think Jonker street is the best place to buy coin and banknote in Melaka. If you're looking for a good and cheap price, Melaka is not the place.
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Question: Is this Malaysia 1 sen 1976 bronze?
Clement:
Hi Bakri,
I've attached a photo of a Malaysia 1sen 1976, Bronze.............anyway of confirming it is bronze? I bought this from a Singapore dealer thru’ the SNA auction in the late 80’s, when I just started to collect.
Since then, I have grown wiser and not to trust most of them. Hope I did not kena main.
Me:
Hi Clement.
Look like many people is asking the same thing as this before. Its hard to take a good picture that can help people to understand which one is bronze or copper. Because bronze also made of copper metal. Having the actual coins is the best way to judge if it is bronze or not.
Your picture do look like it is made from bronze though. There is no oxidation (white dust) and do have some patina on the coin. Bronze normally darker in colour and copper is a bit reddish.
You can try find some Malaysia 1 cent copper coin and try to drop it to hear what they sound like. If they sound the same, most probably it is copper.
Wish that help.
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Question: Metal composition of King George VI coins, where can I check?
Wilson:
Dear Mr.Lunaticg,
Lately I come across onto King George VI coin.
I just want to know. What are the metal composition of these coins?
Which Malaya coins are made of silver rather than cupro-nickel?
Me:
Hi wilson...
You can check my old post: Malaya Coin Price
Buying a coin book will help you on this to.
Wish that will help.
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