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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2011 Medal of Honor Commemorative Coins

United States Mint Deputy Director Andy Brunhart unveiled designs for the 2011 Medal of Honor Commemorative Coin Program today at the Congressional Medal of Honor Society's annual convention in historic Charleston, S.C. The bureau is minting and issuing the commemorative coins in recognition and celebration of the establishment of the Medal of Honor in 1861, as authorized by Public Law 111-91, the Medal of Honor Commemorative Coin Act of 2009. Options will include gold $5 coins and silver $1 coins in proof and uncirculated qualities.


Gold Obverse
Designer: United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Joseph Menna
Engraver: United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Joseph Menna
Description: Depicts the original Medal of Honor authorized by Congress in 1861 as the Navy's highest personal decoration. The inscriptions are LIBERTY, 1861–2011, IN GOD WE TRUST and MEDAL OF HONOR.


Gold Reverse
Engraver: AIP Master Designer Joel Iskowitz
Sculptor: United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Michael Gaudioso Description: The design features Minerva, based on the common central image on both the original Navy and Army Medals of Honor. Minerva, standing with a shield representing the Army and Navy in her right hand and the Union flag in her left hand, is flanked by a field artillery cannon and wheel of the Civil War era. Inscriptions are UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, $5 and E PLURIBUS UNUM. The gold coin designs are emblematic of the heritage and legacy of the original Medal of Honor and the era in which it was first established.

"The men and women of the United States Mint are honored by the role we will play in connecting America to the values and qualities of courage, sacrifice and patriotism through the 2011 Medal of Honor Commemorative $5 Gold and Silver Dollar Coins," said Deputy Director Brunhart.

Mintages for the Medal of Honor Commemorative Coin Program are limited to 100,000 gold $5 coins and 500,000 silver $1 coins. Surcharges collected from coin sales ($35 for each gold coin and $10 for each silver coin) are authorized to be paid to the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation to help finance its educational, scholarship and outreach programs.

The Medal of Honor is the highest award for valor in action against an enemy force that can be bestowed upon an individual serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. It is presented to a person who distinguishes himself or herself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her life above and beyond the call of duty. The medals are presented by the President in the name of Congress.

Source: PRNewswire

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Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Nazi fake pound notes for auction

A rare fake £20 pound note printed by nazi will be aution today. The note is expected to fetch £400 when it goes under the hammer at Mullock's auction house in Ludlow, Shropshire. It is blank on one side and the other has Britannia at the top and is dated October 1937 and "promises to pay the bearer." The fake note printed by the Nazis in a scheme to ruin the British economy by flooding the country with fake cash. British intelligence got wind of the scheme in 1939 and countered the counterfeiting so successfully that the Bank of England recorded just one as having been paid out.


"These notes are incredibly rare because most were destroyed and they are quite fragile. The operation was halted by the Germans in 1945 and it is thought that the majority of the notes was dumped in Lake Toplitz in Austria. Collectors are keen to own one of these fakes as they rarely come up for sale." Richard Westwood Brookes, from Mullock's said.

Operation Bernhard was launched before the war and the plan was to print money. The Germans forced Jews in a concentration camp to forge £134 million worth of notes and they had 100 agents ready to put the money into circulation in the UK. This notes which in the 1940s would have had the buying power of £600 today has emerged from a private a collector and is now being sold.

The Nazis began printing the backdated five, 10, 20 and 50 pound notes in 1942 and created nine million of them valuing 134 million pounds. Some continued in circulation after the war and resulted in the Bank of England withdrawing all notes with a value of more than five pounds. And it was not until the 1970s that notes with the denomination of £20 started appearing again. Ironically for the Germans, the possession of this money became a major factor in identifying Nazi agents and led to many successful arrests.

The counterfeiting was carried out at the Sachsenhausen concentration camp in Germany. After it was evacuated of the operation was transferred to Redl-Zipf in Austria, a subsidiary camp of Mauthausen-Gusen concentration camp. At the beginning of May 1945, the team was ordered to be transferred to Ebensee subsidiary camp, where they were to be killed together. However, the prisoners revolted and were saved.

Source: Telegraph.co.uk

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Tuesday, September 28, 2010

200th anniv official australian horse race

Perth Mint had release a coin to commemorates the 200th anniversary of the first official Australian horse race, which took place in Sydney in October 1810. During that race days, it was part of a three day carnival organised by the officers of the 73rd regiment. Afterwards, a race ball, saw the ladies and gentlemen of the day dressed in their finery and raising a glass to the victors. The coin will be struck in Proof Quality 99.9% Pure Silver 1 oz. Only 5,000 of this coin will be released.


The reverse of the coin shows the jockeys and horses racing to the finish line in glorious colour. The design also incorporates The Perth Mint’s ‘P’ mintmark.


Issued as legal tender under the authority of the Government of Tuvalu the coin’s obverse depicts the Raphael Maklouf effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the 2010 year-date and the monetary denomination.

Technical Specifications:

Silver Content (Troy oz): 1
Monetary Denomination (TVD): 1
Fineness (% purity): 99.9
Minimum Gross Weight (g): 31.135
Maximum Diameter (mm): 40.60
Maximum Thickness (mm): 4

Limited to a mintage of 5,000, this 200th anniversary official Australian horse race coin is a must have for Australia coin collector. You can visit The Perth Mint for worldwide sale. Each coin is housed in a presentation box and illustrated box-shipper. Each coin also accompanied by a numbered Certificate of Authenticity.

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Monday, September 27, 2010

19 september 2010 hunting trip

I am going back to Kota Kinabalu for the last Hari Raya Aidilfitri. Its been a busy two weeks holiday for me, I need to squeeze my coin hunting trip when I get a spare time. I want to say sorry to all of my coin collector friends in Kota Kinabalu because cannot meet all of you. Will try to make it next time. The only two place I get a chance to visit for coin hunting are Wisma Merdeka and Gaya Street Tamu. Gaya Street Tamu or Sunday Market is a must visit place if you ever go to Kota Kinabalu. Its open every Sunday starting from 6am until around 1 pm.

I am visiting Gaya Street Tamu on 19 September 2010. Its a short coin hunting trip since my flight back to Kuala Lumpur is on the same day. Gaya Street pack with people that day, mostly foreign tourist. I get a chance to visit Cikgu Chong but nothing that interest me on display that day. I try to find Michele. On my way to Michele stall, I found this new guy (Correct me if I am wrong). I don't get a chance talking with him since he got customer that time. I waited for 5 minutes but he still busy entertaining his customer. Or maybe I am invisible that day? I just take my pictures and go to Michele stall.

I think everyone of you still remember Michele, right? When I go there, no banknotes or coins that interesting for me to buy and keep. But her pressing irons on sell a little bit interesting for me. Normally she only display the normal charcoal irons. On that day, she got the flat sad iron, fuel liquid iron and another collectibles iron that I don't know what they called it. There is a metal iron in that pressing iron. All of that irons are heavy, at least weight 3 Kg a piece. I am not an antique pressing iron collector but its not easy to spot this kind of iron in Malaysia. I had seen the flat sad iron before but not the fuel liquid Iron and that other one. She is selling those irons for RM800 a piece. I don't know the market price of this collectibles but you can always bargain if you interested.

I don't buy anything that day. Just another unlucky hunting trip for me.

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Sunday, September 26, 2010

Fake 50 sen coins

I receive this old newspaper story from a friend about fake 50 sen coins story in 2006. The report made by STAR newspaper regarding public complaint to Kuala Lumpur Gerakan Youth chief Ma Woei Chyi. Ma told the press there had been five cases of traders enquiring about the authenticity of their 50 sen coins to him. I try using magnet before but still some of my 50 sen coin cannot be accepted by some parking meter in Klang. I am not sure if it is a forgery coin since the details is the same as original.

Photo by the Star Newspaper: Magnet test for fake 50 sen.

"We found out about the counterfeit 50 sen coins after traders came to our office and enquired why their coins had been rejected by parking meter machines in the Kuala Lumpur, Jinjang, Selayang and Petaling Jaya council areas.When we checked the coins, we found some differences between the original and the fake ones, such as the wau logo at the back is not as detailed. A magnet test can determine whether a 50 sen coin is genuine because the magnet will attract the fake coin. When you drop the coins on the floor, there is a difference in the sound produced between the two," said Kuala Lumpur Gerakan Youth chief Ma Woei Chyi.

Here is the answer by Bank Negara Malaysia dated 22 June 2006:
Clarification on fake 50 sen coins

Recent news reports alleging that a large number of the 50 sen coins in circulation are fake is incorrect and misleading. Investigations by Bank Negara Malaysia revealed that such forgeries are isolated cases and the amount involved is insignificant. Bank Negara Malaysia works very closely with Polis Diraja Malaysia in addressing cases of currency and coin forgeries, and actions are promptly taken to apprehend those who are involved in such criminal activities. Members of the public should continue to use 50 sen coins with confidence.

Any of you having the same problem? I cannot take picture of the coin since the parking meter will take that coin. But on the receipt, it telling me that my coin is fake. Will take pictures of the receipt and put it here next time, If I am lucky.

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Saturday, September 25, 2010

325th Anniversary of Georg Friedrich

Pobjoy Mint had release a Proof Fine 999.9 gold coin to celebrates the 325th Anniversary of the Birth of one of the world’s most famous composers, Georg Friedrich Händel. Renowned for classical pieces such as Messiah, Water Music and Music for Royal Fireworks, Pobjoy Mint commemorates the composer on a special coin, released on behalf of the Isle of Man Government. This coin will delight Music lovers of all ages.

The reverse of the coin features a portrait of Händel with a score of musical notes in the background. The Obverse of the design featuring Queen Elizabeth II, Isle of Man 2010. Its also a legal tender coin for Isle of Man.

Händel’s compositions include 42 operas, 29 oratorios, more than 120 cantatas, chamber music, odes, serenatas and 16 organ concerti. His most famous work, the oratorio Messiah with its “Hallelujah” chorus, is among the most popular works in choral music. This will be a wonderful gift for everyone who loves music! You can buy this fine Proof 999.9 Gold from Pobjoy Mint website for £74.95. This is part of the Small Gold Coin Series and available in 1/25 oz.

Source: Pobjoy Mint.

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Thursday, September 23, 2010

MNS Auction 145 this Sunday

Anyone will be going to Malaysia Numismatic Society (MNS) Auction no. 145 this Sunday, 26 September 2010? This will be the third auction by the society this year. The Auction normally will be held at Jabatan Muzium Malaysia, Muzium Negara, Jalan Petalawati, 50480 Kuala Lumpur. There is a small hall in there where this auction normally held by MNS. The auction normally start at 10.00am and viewing of the lots will start at 9.30am on the same day. I suggest you come early since there will be a bourse table outside for member and collector to buy and sell as all sorts of accessories, coins and banknotes.


You can look at the MNS Auction 145 list. From what I see, most of the items are Malaysia banknote with replacement and solid number notes as a majority lots. I am not into this kind of banknotes, I am not sure if the reserve price are interesting for all of you. I am more interested in Straits Settlements 10 cents 1919 Ag Treasurer notes but the price is within my budget. Look like Singapore ship series notes are on the main lots for this auction. I knew some collector who like to get a hand on some of it.

This auction only for members of MNS only. Entrance fee for ordinary member is RM20.oo and RM40.00 for annual subscription fee. Their coin auction is for member only. Any numismatist over 12 years but below the age of 18 and resident in Malaysia may apply to be a Junior Member. The Entrance Fee for Junior Members is RM5.00 and Annual Subscription is RM15.00. Kindly download the Application Form and send it to the Society either via post, fax or e-mail for approval.

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Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Top 10 coins list for 2010

Here is my blog top 10 coins list for 2010. This list is based on how many people read or view that story for a year. Not every story of coins will get a good read by reader all over the worlds. Most readers are looking for information about some particular coins like how to detect the counterfeit coins, How to check if your coin is rare, world record, details about the coins, where to buy and sell or the coins price and value. The first in the list is the highest ranking in the list. Some of the coins maybe don't have a good view maybe because my blog not focusing talking about them. I just want to share my top view post for 2010.

1. Rare 20 pence
This coin shock everyone in 2009 when many seller in eBay selling them with a buy now option as high as £20,000. This is also the first time since 300 years, British coin without date come into circulation. The problem occurred after all the coins from the 1p through to the £1 were redesigned in 2008. Recently, a Mint is offering £100 for the mule coin.

2. Rare silver 1 penny
After the story about the 20 pence, a news about a grandmother from Bridgwater, Somerset found a rare 1 penny silver coin emerged. The coin found by Tania Simmonite at the market stall where she sells cheese, the piece appears to have been released into circulation without undergoing the usual copper-plating process. Royal Mint had confirmed that this is a genuine monetary unit. I am not sure whether she sold the coins or not.

3. Toonie, canada 2 dollar

Toonie is Canada 2 dollar bi-metallic circulation coin which bears an image of polar bear which was introduced on 19 February 1996. The name do not came from that polar bear instead come from Canada one dollar coin "loonie". The name Toonie became so widely accepted that in 2006 the Royal Canadian Mint secured the rights to it. In April 2010, a wrong report by a TV station in Toronto regarding a fake toonies make everyone searching for information about it. The different Queen images for two coins mistakenly thought as fake by the TV station.

4. Royal Spanish Mint 2010 World Cup
The Royal Spanish Mint has been releasing 2010 FIFA World Cup coin set. There are two coins in the set, a 2-escudos coin or 100 euro coin in .999 gold, and the other an 8-reales or 10 euro coin in .925 silver. In the final 2010 FIFA World Cup, Spain, the European champions, defeated third-time finalists the Netherlands 1–0 after extra time. To commemorate this great success for Spanish sports, the Royal Spanish Mint has minted a new coin set entitled "World Champions South Africa 2010" composed of two coins, one of .999 gold and the other of sterling silver.

5. One rupee British India
This is one of my coin collection; one rupee British India King George V 1918 silver coin. I bought this coin in Penang. This story of the coin, one of the earliest post I made for this blog in 2008. Some people still reading it maybe because the story about its history.

6. Malaysia 10 sen 1971
Even most of my readers are from Malaysia, this coin only make it in top 6. Most probably because there are many Malaysia blog talking about this 1971 10 sen with only 32,236 pieces minted. Story by local news about how only few of this coins minted, in 1971, Malaysia coin were minted in West Germany. That coin are the last time for a Malaysia coin minted overseas. In the same year, some coins were minted in the money factories of Bank Negara Malaysia in Shah Alam. However, the coin minted limited to only 10 cents coins. Floods that struck the Selangor and Kuala Lumpur affect the operation of mint when flood overflow into the printer. The incident caused only have time to 32,000 pieces minted.

7. 1983 new pence
Photo by: Weston & Somerset Mercury

This coin became a news when a couple Brian and Penny Drury, of Palmer Street, stumbled across the rare find in a collectors' pack bought 26 years ago. Many people have two pence in their drawer like this couple but only 1983 2 pence with the word new pence on it consider as rare. One website states that the odds of finding a 1983 'new pence' coin are around one in 14,000,000. Consider yourself lucky if you found one of this coin. If you're intended to sale your coin, the price on eBay is between £500 to £700.

8. World Largest Gold Coin
Photo by Reuters: $1 million Canadian dollar.

On May 3, 2007, the Royal Canadian Mint (RCM) unveiled a Gold Maple Leaf coin by artist Stanley Witten, with a face value of $1 million Canadian dollar. The weight of the coin is 100 kilograms, and measures 50 cm in diameter by 3 cm thick. In June 2010, a Vienna auction house, Dorotheum, auctioned this coin for 3.27 million euros ($4.02 million),

9.Melaka Portuguse Tin Coin
A story about Melaka Portuguse Tin coin I found in Internet. The story tempted me to collect the tin coins. I normally don't buy tin since many of fake or replica out there. but if the price is right, I don't mind consider buying it and sharing it here.

10.Rare Straits Settlements Coin
This item came from my sale page. The Straits Settlements Queen Victoria half cents 1883 coin already sold. I am not sure if I can find them anymore. Only 2,740,000 pcs of this coin minted. Most of the coin is either destroy or in a very bad condition. The price for Extremely fine and uncirculated are very high because very hard to find any in the market.


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Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Sell your 20 pence for £100?

Any of you remember about the rare undated 20 pence? How much do you think the market price of this coin today? A company founded in 2006 and based in London, London Mint Office is offering a buy price of £100 for your 20 pence coin. You need to register at their website to get this offer and they will sent details on how to identify the undated 20 pence coin after your registration. There is a maximum of one registration per household, a further 10,000 places are now available but these will not last long. It also includes other materials including a money-off voucher, which all registrants are entitled to regardless of whether or not you find an undated 20p. You are under no obligation to sell the coin should you find one, but once you are registered, you have the option of accepting The London Mint’s £100 buy price.
20 pence
In 2008, this undated 20p coins has caused a great deal of excitement among coin collectors because the Royal Mint, in Llantrisant, South Wales, is normally so careful about the manufacture and release of coins into circulation. The Royal Mint's usually impeccable quality control somehow slipped up and the so-called 'mule' escaped into circulation. Many sellers in eBay are offering their coins at prices of up £20,000. The NEW reverse side (tails) and the OLD Queen's portrait side have been put onto the same coin. The old heads side has NO DATE and this has been matched to the new reverse which also has NO DATE which means the coin has no date on it at all.

According to the London Mint website:
Since July 2009 the value of the Undated 20p has doubled from £50 to £100, suggesting the coins are rarer than initial estimates indicated.
Do you agree that the price for this rare 20 pence should be at £100? I have seen someone sell them in eBay for over £200. What a great way to promote a new mint.

Source: London Mint.


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Thursday, September 9, 2010

Selamat Hari Raya 2010

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri 2010 (Happy Aidilfitri) to all my Muslim friends and readers. Please forgive me physically and spiritually (Maaf Zahir dan Batin) for any wrong doing and bad thing I am saying to you personally or I said wrongly in your blog. Aidilfitri is not just about celebration after a month of fasting but also a days asking people for forgiveness for sins that we maybe do. In Malaysia, we celebrate each festival together, please put aside any of your political belief and celebrate Eid-Ul-Fitri happily.


To everyone in Malaysia who is looking for new crisp banknote to put in your Hari Raya Ang Pow, I think most of you can only found new one ringgit notes. Most banks will give a reasons that Bank Negara Malaysia don't provide them with new crisp banknote other then RM1 banknotes this year. Crisp banknote normally put in the ang pow envelopes for good luck to the recipient of the ang pow. Even though this is a Chinese belief and tradition but I think every races in Malaysia follow this. Its something good, right?


To all my online social network friends in Facebook, Myspace, Mybloglog, Blogcatalog, Friendster, all my blog friends and all my readers; Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri 2010, Maaf Zahir Batin (Happy Eidul-fitri, Forgive me physically and spiritually). I am sorry if I had done any mistake in my writing; in my blog or in your blogs comments.


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Wednesday, September 8, 2010

De La Rue staff falsified banknote tests

De La Rue make a statement on Tuesday that it has now been established that some of the company's employees have deliberately falsified certain paper specification test certificates for a limited number of customers. Banknote paper specifications have a large number of detailed parameters and the investigation has found in certain cases that a small number of them have fallen marginally short of specification. De La Rue said all paper production is now within specification and it is ready to resume supply of fully compliant paper as soon as customers agree.


Photo by Wikipedia: De La Rue plc. printing factory.

It gave no indication of how many staff were involved. The investigation into production irregularities at its printing plant in Overton, Hampshire are continuing. The company remained confident that neither the "physical security nor the security features in the paper have been compromised". De La Rue expects first-half profits to be at least £35m lower, due to professional fees - external lawyer are advising on the investigation, the writing off banknotes with quality problems and one-off costs.

The production problem has already cost the job of James Hussey, who resigned as chief executive in a last-ditch attempt to save a contract with Reserve Bank of India worth up to 25pc of the company's profits. He left with immediate effect last month after 27 years with the company. De La Rue said these matters had resulted in increased operating costs and lower volumes and would have a significant impact on its first-half pretax profit.

Source: Telegraph.co.uk

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Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Old coins discovered in Germany

A 1,200 years old silver coins were discovered by German archeologists in Anklam, which they believe were minted in modern day Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan and northern Africa. A team of volunteers working with regional authorities and the University of Greifswald found 82 coin fragments and coins, the oldest of which dates back to the year 610 and the most recent one to approximately 820 CE. Searching a 20 by 25 meter stretch of land in the northern German town of Anklam, the team also unearthed a silver armband and three bars of silver.

"Coin treasures from this period are exceedingly rare, and in this volume it is one of the most significant (finds)," EarthTimes quoted archaeologist Michael Schirren as saying.

Historian Fred Ruchhoeft said the discovery shows that "there was global trade more than 1,200 years ago."

Experts say the coins were taken to northern Europe via trading routes along the Black Sea, the Dnieper River and the Volga, before reaching the Baltic Sea. The site of the discovery is located near a Viking settlement, which once enabled trade to the East and the West.

Source: Press TV

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Monday, September 6, 2010

Wisma Merdeka coin dealer

A reader told me that he will be going to Kota Kinabalu, Sabah for a vacation and want to know where he can find coin dealer in Kota Kinabalu. Wisma Merdeka is the best place if you want to find coin dealer. At the moments, there are three coin dealers shop in there. Most of them sell antiques, chinaware, banknotes, coins and stamps. I already been dealing with some of them for over 5 years now. Last time, there are at least five dealer shops but I am not sure what happen to them. If you're looking for Sarawak and Sabah (North Borneo) collection, this is the best place to find but you need to asked them. Some of them will not display their nice uncirculated collection for sell.


How can you find this coin dealers? First, you need to find Wisma Merdeka. Wisma Merdeka is at jalan Tun Razak. You can find Hyatt Regency Kinabalu Hotel and Capital Hotel near Wisma Merdeka. If you're coming from Likas using Tun Fuad Stephen street, you can see the building at your right, beside Kinabalu college. In Wisma Merdeka, you need to look for Familia Store (at the end of the building, on first and second floor). You need to go up on second floor and look for Total stationery shop. All the coin dealer shops are around that stationery shop.

Kadoman Trading Co. Antiques & handicraft art.
Owner: Charlie Chau
Hp: +6016-8803918
Thanks to Mr. Danny for the help.

Ocean Art Gallery.
Owner: N T Chong
Hand Phone: +6016-8460356.
Email: serilabuk@yahoo.com

East Gate Art & Collection.
Owner: Adam Goh.
Hand Phone: +6019-8809497

If any of you knew any other place in Sabah where we can find a coin dealers, please share here. I found some small antique shops in Kota Kinabalu before but they're not focusing on banknote and coins like what you can find at this shops in Wisma Merdeka. The small shops price are higher then Market price and not worth sharing about them here.

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Sunday, September 5, 2010

New metal give vending machine problems

The 5p and 10p coins have always been made from cupronickel, an alloy made of 75 per cent copper, 25 per cent nickel. However, from January 1 next year they will be made from steel, with a nickel coating. In most respects they will look identical and weigh the same, but sharp-eye observers will notice they will become 11 per cent thicker, moving from 1.7mm in depth to 1.9mm. They will also become magnetic for the first time. Most people might not notice the difference but nearly all vending machine and parking meters will. It will cost the vending industry £42 million and the coin machine industry as a whole possibly as much as £100 million to update or upgrade their machines.


The change, proposed by the former Labour government, is designed to save the Royal Mint between £7 million and £8 million a year, allowing it to use steel rather than copper, which has surged in price over recent years. Making the cupronickel alloy is also a relatively expensive process.

Jonathan Hilder, the chief executive of the Automatic Vending Machine Association, whose members service 500,000 vending machines in Britain, said: "We've told the Treasury and The Royal Mint that this is going to be a disaster, but they haven't taken notice.

The problem comes about because tea and chocolate dispensers, as well as parking meters are sophisticated machines designed to detect fraudulent coinage. They test each coin by shape, weight as well as its electromagnetic composition. All machines will have to have their software updated, and in most instances, need to be recalibrated to recognise both the new coins and the old ones, which will continue to be in circulation for at least a decade. While the Royal Mint has given the industry with a few samples of the new coins, they have not provided final production versions, making it impossible to start changing the machines. The industry said it does not have enough engineers to undertake the overhaul in less than four months.

Manny Rasores, at the British Parking Association, said: "Most meters don't accept 5p, but they do take 10p. It means every single bit of parking equipment will have to be changed. This is going to be a considerable investment for all the local authorities, and who will ultimately pay for this? It will have to be local taxpayers."

This is the latest time the Royal Mint and the Treasury have come under fire for the state of Britain's coins. In July the Royal Mint admitted there was a record £41 million fake £1 coins in Britain (one in every 36 in circulation), double the proportion compared with ten years ago.

A similar change to the 1p and 2p coins was made in 1992, with those made before that date non-magnetic bronze, while those made afterwards a magnetic copper-plated steel. The vending machine industry said that this change did not cause any problems because most machine never accepted coppers. Andrew Mills, director of circulating coins at The Royal Mint, said that the general election had slowed down the process of passing on final coins to the vending industry. A spokesman for the Treasury said that the proposal to make new 5p and 10p coins out of nickel-plated steel rather than a cupro-nickel alloy is one of many measures being considered by the Government with a view to reducing the fiscal deficit.

Source: Telegraph.co.uk

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Saturday, September 4, 2010

Kelantan Golden Trade dinar explanation

Kelantan Golden Trade Sdn Bhd, the sole state agency responsible for the sale of gold dinar and silver dirham in Kelantan, on Saturday explained that their coins are not legal tender. Its Chief Executive Officer, Umar Ibrahim Vadillo, in stating this said the use of the Kelantan's dinar and dirham was strictly on a voluntary basis. He said Perbadanan Menteri Besar Kelantan (PMBK), Kelantan Golden Trade and other government agencies have also agreed to allow their employees who want dinar and dirham for part of their salaries to be given these coins but only upon request from the employees and on strict voluntary basis.

Photo by The Star: Dirham and Dinar Kelantan.

"Nobody has been forced to use or buy the coins as some media has suggested. People buy the coins voluntarily and the shops join the network also voluntarily," he said during a media briefing here today on the gold dinar and silver dirham being used in the state.

He said he was also disappointed with some of the media and the way they have reported on the matter.

"The issue of legal tender is clearly nothing to do with us," he said in response to media reports which stated that the state was trying to make use of the coins as legal tender.

Umar said the company fully understood that only Bank Negara Malaysia has the right under the law to issue currency in Malaysia and that the ringgit was the only currency which was the legal tender for payment of goods and services in the country.

Umar explained that the introduction of gold dinar and silver dirham in Kelantan was not a new idea or experiment but it was the first time in history that people were being given a choice to use these coins for the payment of zakat and services.

The Kelantan government introduced RM2.0 million worth of gold dinar and silver dirham for the people of the state in August 12 this year. To date, about RM1.5 million of gold dinars have been sold out. The value for the dinar and dirham are based on the market price. As at Friday, the price for one gold dinar is about RM592 and RM13 for dirham. Umar said that the state government planned to double the operating capital of the company from RM2.0 million to RM4.0 million to allow for the larger production of coins.

Kelantan Golden Trade also planned to add production of the coins in a second minting facility in Penang with Public Gold Sdn Bhd. The first production was made by Emirates Gold in Dubai.

Source: Bernama News

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Friday, September 3, 2010

CZK 200 700 years John of Luxembourg’s marriage

The Czech National Bank and Banque centrale du Luxembourg released into circulation a commemorative silver coin to mark the 700th anniversary of John of Luxembourg’s marriage to Elisabeth of Premyslides. The formal presentation of the coin take in the Czech Republic take place at Křivoklát Castle on 1 September 2010. The commemorative coin presented in the Royal Hall of Křivoklát Castle by Miroslav Singer, Governor of the Czech National Bank. The event attended by Jean Faltz, Ambassador of Luxembourg, Yves Mersch, Governor of Banque centrale du Luxembourg, Cardinal Miloslav Vlk and other public figures.

Czech lion
The obverse side of the coin depicts the Czech lion in stylised medieval form on a background of a Gothic decoration consisting of stars and dots. The name of the state in Czech “ČESKÁ REPUBLIKA” in stylised Gothic writing and the denomination and abbreviated monetary unit “200 Kč” are written all around the outer circle. The mark of the Czech Mint in the form of the letters “Č” and “M” is located in the Gothic decoration above the coin’s denomination.

The obverse side of the Luxembourg coin depicts the Grand Duke of Luxembourg. Both silver coins are minted by the Czech Mint (Česká mincovna) in Jablonec nad Nisou. Each coin comes with a white catalogue card with a grey-blue background based on the coin’s design. The card contains a description and the relief of the coin.

John of Luxembourg
The reverse side features the stylised figures of John of Luxembourg and Elisabeth of Premyslides at their wedding on a background of a Gothic decoration consisting of stars and dots. The inscription in Czech “SŇATEK JANA LUCEMBURSKÉHO S ELIŠKOU PŘEMYSLOVNOU” (THE MARRIAGE OF JOHN OF LUXEMBOURG TO ELISABETH OF PREMYSLIDES) and the years “1310–2010” are located all around the outer circle. The initials of the designer of the coin, Jakub Vlček, are incorporated into the Gothic decoration to the left of the figure of John of Luxembourg.

The coin is minted from an alloy containing 900 parts silver and 100 parts copper and is issued in two versions, normal quality and proof quality, which differ in surface treatment and edge marking. Proof-quality coins have a highly polished field, a matt relief and a plain edge with the inscription “ČESKÁ NÁRODNÍ BANKA * Ag 0.900 * 13 g *”. Normal quality coins have milled edges. The coin is 31 mm in diameter, weighs 13 g and is 2.3 mm thick.

Technical Specifications:
Country: Czech.
Material: Normal & Proof.
Monetary Denomination : Czech Karuna(CZK) 200
Fineness (% purity): 0.900
Minimum Gross Weight (g): 13 g
Maximum Diameter (mm): Czech coin (31 mm), The Luxembourg coin (34 mm).
Designer: Jakub Vlček
Mintage: The CNB is issuing 9,600 normal quality coins and 13,900 proof quality coins. The 3,000 Luxembourg commemorative coins will be minted in proof quality only.

Source: Czech National Bank.

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Thursday, September 2, 2010

Group of six used bogus bills

Six people have been arrested in a counterfeit ring that allegedly passed about $300,000 in bogus Canadian currency in B.C., Manitoba and Alberta, Canada. During the searches, executed by the RCMP Federal Commercial Crime Section’s Integrated Counterfeit Enforcement Team, the Coquitlam RCMP, Vancouver Police and the RCMP’s Emergency Response Team, officers seized a substantial amount of fake Canadian bills, blank credit cards and equipment used to make fake bills and cards. Four of those arrested were men, two were women, and all are in their 20s, police said. The men remain in custody and the women were released on a promise to appear in court at a later date.

counterfeit billsPhoto by CBC: Police show some of the counterfeit bills

The arrests were made last month in Vancouver and Coquitlam, B.C., said Sgt. Tony Farahbakhchian of the RCMP's commercial crime section.

"During the execution of the search warrants, a substantial amount of fake Canadian bills (mostly 100s, 50s and 20s), blank credit cards, computers and equipment used in the production of counterfeit banknotes and credit cards was seized," Farahbakhchian said.

"This is a significant seizure as the notes associated to this group amounted to approximately 80 per cent of the total in counterfeit notes being passed in B.C. during the past 10 months."

The investigation began in November and culminated with the execution of search warrants at properties in the 1900-block of Dawes Hill in Coquitlam and the 4200-block of Dunbar Street in Vancouver on Aug. 12. The counterfeit $100 notes all bore the serial numbers EJE9791896, EJE7771896 and EJE7171891, while the counterfeit $20 notes had the serial numbers ARA9965493, ARD4089894 and ERC3300372.

Farahbakhchian said charges could be laid related to making and passing counterfeit banknotes and to possessing instruments used in producing counterfeits.

Source: CBC News, Vancouversun News.


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Wednesday, September 1, 2010

1933 penny King George V Mystery

Last month, a penny most people had been looking for resurfaced in eBay and suddenly cancelled by its seller without any reason. The mystery seller listed as Suzanne X, failed to respond to email requests for more information about the 1933 penny bearing the head of King George V. The seller, based in Isleworth, West London, has an impeccable trading record with 100 per cent positive feedback. The 1933 coin was one of 16 pennies being sold as a job lot. However the bid was mysteriously cancelled without explanation. Experts have always worked on the assumption that only seven such coins were minted and, if genuine, this one would be worth at least £80,000.

Rare 1933 penny
Photo by dailymail.co.uk: An example of the 1933 coin.

The Royal Mint had no plans to make any pennies in 1933 because there were already plenty around. However, a small number were produced following requests for a commemorative coin. Experts have always worked on the basis there were seven. Of these, three were placed by the King under the foundation stones of buildings, two were presented to the British Museum and two found their way to private collectors. In September 1970, during building work, one of the coins was stolen from the cornerstone of the Church of St Cross in Middleton, Leeds.

Rather than risk a further theft, the Bishop of Ripon ordered that another coin buried at St Mary's Church in Hawksworth should be unearthed and sold. Today the Mint Museum, British Museum and the University of London each hold one of the coins, with three in private collections.

The listing, complete with misspellings, had stated:
"These pennys was found in my grandfathers house. The story my grandfather told me they came of Big Ben. They was used to weight the penderlumif the clock was running fast or removed them if running slow. He used to service Big Ben. He retired in 1968. Sorry the photos are not clear. But you are bidding on the job lot. Selling no reserve, as I dont no a thing about coins. Good luck and happy bidding."

A number of people showed interest in the coin and the seller subsequently posted more images which showed the 1933 date clearly. It is certainly the case that old pre-decimal pennies are still used today as part of the balancing mechanism of Big Ben to ensure it keeps the correct time. There is a possibility, although slim, that one of the 1933 coins would have been used in this way. Assuming the coin is genuine, the owner could be sitting on a lifechanging-amount. However, coin collectors are always wary that criminals might be trying to cash in by creating fakes.

Nick Hart, of the London Mint company, said the history and rarity of the 1933 penny make it a very valuable coin. 'It is not quite clear how many were struck. It is certainly less than ten. 'The price is difficult to be sure of, because they sell so rarely. A genuine coin would fetch more than £80,000, while some versions would be more than £100,000. Two versions to the coin were struck. It is thought that four had a slightly different image of the King in preparation to an updating of his likeness on all coins. These are particularly valuable.

"It would need to be examined by an expert, but I have serious doubts. I would be very surprised if this is a real 1933 penny."

After seeing the image on eBay, Mr Hart said he had suspicions about the coin. He said the spacing of the digits was irregular, which would mean it is a fake.

Source: Dailymail.co.uk


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