Thursday, September 30, 2010

50th years of Bunga Raya coins

Yesterday, Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abdin launched the 50th Anniversary of the Proclamation of the Bunga Raya as the National Flower coins at National Craft Complex, Jalan Conlay, Kuala Lumpur. The special coin issued by the Bank in collaboration with the Department of National Heritage and the theme song for the national flower hibiscus as Malaysia National flower was also launched.  Also present were Minister of Information, Communications and Culture, Datuk Seri Dr. Rais Yatim and Minister in the Prime Minister, Tan Sri Dr. Koh Tsu Koon.

Picture by: Malay Mail News.

On the obverse of the coin, The centre of the coin features the image of the Bunga Raya as the National Flower with the words "50 Tahun" at the upper circumference. The years "1960 - 2010" appear below the Bunga Raya, and the words "Bunga Raya Bunga Kebangsaan" at the lower circumference of the coin.

On the reverse of the coin, he centre shows the map of Malaysia, with the Malaysian flag as the background. The upper circumference displays the words "Bank Negara Malaysia" with the denomination below it. "Jabatan Warisan Negara" as organiser of the ceremony for the proclamation anniversary appears on the lower circumference of the coin. 

Technical Specifications:

Type: Gold Proof.
Alloy: Gold (Au999.9)
Face Value (RM): 100
Selling Price(RM): 1,200
Mintage Quantity (piece/set): 150
Diameter (mm): 22.00
Weight (gram): 7.96
Shape: Round with milled edge


Technical Specifications:

Type: Silver Proof
Alloy: Silver(Ag92.5)
Face Value (RM): 10
Selling Price(RM): 150
Mintage Quantity (piece/set): 400
Diameter (mm): 35.70
Weight (gram): 21.00
Shape: Round with milled edge


Technical Specifications:

Type: Nordic Gold (B.U.)
Alloy: Cu89 Zn5 Al5 Sn1
Face Value (RM): 1
Selling Price(RM): 10
Mintage Quantity (piece/set): 10,000
Diameter (mm): 30.00
Weight (gram): 8.80
Shape: Round with milled edge

These commemorative coins are also available in a set of 3 and a set of 2. The Set of 3 consists of the gold, silver and Nordic gold proof coins. It will be sold at RM1,450 per set with only 300 sets available. The Set of 2 consists of the silver and Nordic gold proof coins. This set will be sold at RM200 per set with only 600 sets available.
How Hibiscus or Bunga Raya became Malaysia National Flower
Once Malaysia achieved independence in 1957, Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra AI-Haj expressed a desire to find a suitable flower to declared as the National flower for Federation of Malaya. Thus, he has directed the Ministry of Agriculture to find the flowers in the country to be selected as the national flower. After a thorough search for a while and ended at the end of 1958, the Ministry of Agriculture highlighted the seven types of flowers kenanga, hibiscus, melor, lotus, rose, cempaka and tanjung (sorry, I don't know their name in english).

From all the flowers chosen, hibiscus has been officially announced as the national flower of the Federation of Malaya on 28 July 1960 by Prime Minister of Malaysia. The selection was made based on the uniqueness of the self-interest than other flowers.The red hibiscus flower was seen as a symbol of political and economic strength and courage of the people in the nature of challenges. Meanwhile, the five petals are means of five Fundamental principles. Hibiscus also has a lot of color, shape and size reflect the different races, religions and cultures of the various races living in peace and harmony.
These commemorative coins are minted and distributed by Bank Negara Malaysia and will be available for sale from 1 October 2010 at Bank Negara Malaysia's headquarters and its branches located in Pulau Pinang, Johor Bahru, Kuala Terengganu, Kota Kinabalu and Kuching.

Source: Bank Negara Malaysia.

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