Many non-collectors don't know what coins need to test with magnet. Almost all of them think any Malaysia coins that stick to magnet is a valuable coins for collectors. Today, I want to share with non collectors what Malaysia circulation coins that we as collectors test with magnet.
I divided them according to their coin series, to help non-collectors easily understand what I am talking about in here.
Collectors test coins with magnet to check for wrong planchet errors or in layman terms, coins with wrong kind of metal used to mint them. To make sure you understand, I also shared the official metal used to mint Malaysia coins according to their denominations.
Fake coins collectors check their fake coins with magnet because it is a bit rare to find Malaysia fake coins that can stick to magnet. Most of the time Malaysian counterfeiters are using cheap metal to make the fake coins, only old fake coins used metal that stick to magnet because their price are still cheap in the old days.
What Malaysian coins need to test with magnet:
MALAYSIA 1ST SERIES COINS
Malaysia 1st series of "SEN" coins were introduced in 12 June 1967 in denominations of 1 sen, 5 sen, 10 sen, 20 sen, 50 sen, followed by the introduction of the 1 ringgit coin (which continued to use the $ symbol and is the largest coin in the series) in 1 May 1971. All the 5 sen, 10 sen, 20 sen, 50 sen and 1 ringgit coins are made of Copper-Nickel except for 1 sen made of Copper (1967-1973) and Copper Clad Steel (1973-1988). You can read more about it here; Malaysia 1st series coins.
i. 5 sen, 10 sen, 20 sen, 50 sen and $1.
Metal: Copper-Nickel.
Composition: Cu: 75, Ni: 25.
Magnet attraction: No. Copper-Nickel do not stick to a magnet.
Magnet test: No. Except for 50 sen fake coins, fake coins that stick to magnet are more valuable then the normal coin.
ii. 1 sen
Metal: Copper (1967-1973) and Copper Clad Steel (1973-1988).
Magnet attraction: Copper-do not stick to magnet. Copper Clad Steel-strong magnetic attraction
Magnet test: Yes, for certain date/year. See below explanation.
-1 sen parlimen 1970
Magnet test: Looking for Copper Clad Steel-strong magnetic attraction. Original 1 sen 1970 coins are made of Copper.
Rarity: So far, only 4 coins were know to exist.
-1 sen parlimen 1973
Magnet test: Looking for Copper Clad Steel-strong magnetic attraction. Original 1 sen 1973 coins are made of Copper.
Rarity: You can still found them in circulation.
-1 sen parlimen 1976
Magnet test: Looking for Copper-do not stick to magnet. Original 1 sen 1976 coins are made of Copper Clad Steel. you can read more about it here: How to detect 1 sen 1976 Copper.
Rarity: So far, around 100 coins were know to exist.
MALAYSIA 2ND SERIES COINS
Malaysia 2nd series coins introduced into circulation on 4 September 1989 with a Malaysian tradition and character design/theme. The coins were designed by Low Yee Kheng (source: Wikipedia, not sure if this is true) and wholly minted by Bank Negara's mint at Shah Alam. Some changes had been done including the inclusion of a Hibiscus rosa-sinensis (Malay: Bunga Raya), the national flower of Malaysia, on the upper half of the observe, and the depiction of items of Malay culture on the reverse. Most Malaysian collector refer this coin as a "Bunga Raya Series". Actually, Bank Negara Malaysia released this as a "Cultural Artifact Series".The denominations issued are 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 sen and 1 ringgit. You can read more about it here; Malaysia 2nd series coins.
Metal: Copper Clad Steel.
Magnet attraction: Copper Clad Steel-strong magnetic attraction
Magnet test: No. No valuable coins that you need to test with magnet
ii. 5 sen, 10 sen, 20 sen & 50 sen.
Metal: Copper-Nickel.
Composition: Cu: 75, Ni: 25.
Magnet attraction: No. Copper-Nickel do not stick to a magnet.
Magnet test: No. Except for 50 sen fake coins, fake coins that stick to a magnet are more valuable then the normal coin.
iii. 1 ringgit.
Metal: Copper-Zinc
Composition: Cu: 84, Zn: 12, Sn: 4.
Magnet attraction: No. Copper-Zinc do not stick to a magnet.
Magnet test: No. No valuable coins that you need to test with magnet
MALAYSIA 3RD SERIES COINS
On 25 July 2011, Bank Negara Malaysia Governor (BNM) Tan Sri Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz, released Malaysia 3rd series coins. The new coins will only be introduced into Malaysia circulation from early 2012. A special packaging of 500,000 commemorative coin sets are sold to Public for RM10 per set in all BNM branches. The coins were designed by a Malaysian and wholly minted by Bank Negara's mint at Shah Alam. The new 2012 series of coins are legal tender and will co-circulate with the existing series next year. You can still using Malaysia old coins when the new coins start circulating. You can read more about it here; Malaysia 3rd series coins.
i. 5 sen & 10 sen.
Metal: Stainless Steel
Magnet attraction: Stainless Steel-strong magnetic attraction
Magnet test: No. No valuable coins that you need to test with magnet
ii. 20 sen.
Metal: Nickel Brass
Magnet attraction: No. Nickel Brass do not stick to a magnet.
Magnet test: No. No valuable coins that you need to test with magnet
iii. 50 sen.
Metal: Nickel Brass Clad Copper
Magnet attraction: No. Nickel Brass Clad Copper do not stick to a magnet.
Magnet test: No. No valuable coins that you need to test with magnet
For information about other Malaysia valuable coins, you can read my post; Malaysia rare coins.
