RBS £10 Queen Diamond Jubilee banknote

On Wednesday, The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) has launched a new £10 Queen Diamond Jubilee commemorative banknote. Two million of the notes will be issued, with initial supplies already in circulation. The commemorative banknote, approved by the Queen, is RBS' first ever £10 commemorative note. It is the third in RBS' royal commemorative note series, which includes a £20 note for The Queen Mother's 100th birthday in September in 2000, and a £5 note for the Queen's Golden Jubilee in 2002.

The note features different images of the Queen taken during her reign:

• The Queen at Epsom Racecourse in 2008.
• Official palace photograph of the Queen taken in the 1940s.
• The Queen with her family at Balmoral Castle.
• The Queen with the Duke of Edinburgh and HRH Princess Anne attending the traditional Mass for the Order of the Thistle.

The note will be available in branches in Scotland and available to order. Notes with special serial numbers have been donated to some of RBS’s partners - Prince's Scottish Youth Business Trust, (PSYBT) Oxfam, National Museum of Scotland, Scottish Rugby Union, Scottish Golf Union and the STV Children’s appeal. A charity auction of this note, and other rare RBS banknotes, will be held later in the year with the proceeds going to the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Charity Trust.

You can also order by sending a cheque for the face value of the notes (maximum of 20 notes) + £5.90 for Special Delivery postage to:

The Royal Bank of Scotland
Scottish Note Team
Drummond House
1 Redheughs Avenue
PO Box 1727
Edinburgh
EH12 9HS.

Please note that this is a limited offer which expires on 30th June 2012.

Source: RBS

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Top 10 myths in Malaysia Numismatic

They're many myth out there about Malaysia coins and banknotes. People want to believe that myth mostly because they don't have enough knowledge about Malaysia Numismatic or their friends told them about it. Some of the story make this hobbies interesting to non-collector but most of the myth will make you lose money/profit in the end. Its up to you to believe the reality or the myth but in the end, you need to to go back to reality since most real collector will not follow any myth story. We just listen and laugh out laud in our heart because we knew the myth ain't real. I don't asked you to believe what I am sharing in here but this are the top 10 myths in Malaysia Numismatic.

1. Sa-puloh ringgit watermark agong banknote.

I had been talking about these so many time before. They're also people who stupidly show her face with a sapuloh watermark agong and a fake Malaysia Numismatic Society certificate, you can read it here; Fake MNS Certificate. They're no Sa-puloh ringgit watermark agong banknote issued by Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM). The real Sa-puloh ringgit banknote came with a tiger watermark. The notes that you can see in some of the Malaysia mystic blog are fake/counterfeit banknotes. They're also real Sapuloh/sepuluh banknote with a fake Agong watermark out there. They're using some chemical to remove the original tiger watermark on the banknote and print a new agong watermark. If a real collector look at the notes, you will instantly knew that it is a fake watermark. They're also sapuloh agong with UV light watermark, I already explain it in here; SaPuloh Watermark agong UV light. They remove the tiger watermark from the sapuloh banknote and then they print a new watermark agong UV light, some just print the UV light on top of the tiger watermark since you can only see the watermark with UV light.

2. RM500 signed by Tun Ismail Mohd Ali?

Few years back, they're many people who are asking me about RM500 signed by Tun Ismail Mohd Ali. They said only a few piece of the notes exist and it is a very rare piece. When I post my RM500 for sale, many people contact me about that notes. Even when I said to them that they're no RM500 in Tun Ismail Mohd Ali era, they keep on insisting to meet me and want to see that notes. Most of them are just a middlemen who are trying to make an instant profit because someone said they will pay a big amount of money for that notes. Some even argue with me why they're sa-ribu banknotes exist but BNM don't print any RM500. Some even told me that BNM don't want people know RM500 by Ismail exist because the price will be going up if everyone are looking for it.

3. 1972 Malaysia sen coins.

They're no coins minted by BNM in 1972, you can read and check about it in my post; No issue Malaysia coin according to year (duit syiling tiada keluaran mengikut tahun). If you found any coins in that year in any blog, its a fake/counterfeit. They either altered an original coin or make a new coin. You can even do it yourself with a photoshop software, you can read it in my 10 sen 1972 post. Most of the fake coins are offered by people who involved in mistic/shaman (perbomohan). Some even dare to claim that the coins came from sky or "alam bunian" and it promise to give the owner instant profit. Most of the time, the price of the coins can go to 5 figure.

4. Ali Abul Hassan RM1 side sign.

I don't know why people can believe this notes even exist since they remove Zeti signature (you can still see the zeti print mark under close inspection on the notes) and print Ali Abul Hassan (Aishah) signature on that notes. I know one friend bought this notes for RM15,000.00. It is a waste of money since that notes are fake because BNM never issued any side sign RM1 with Ali Abul signature. Another funny thing is that BNM never take any action with these counterfeiter. Maybe because the buyer themselves never report it to police or BNM. It is a huge profit for them because it only cost them below RM10 to make the counterfeit banknotes.

5. Duit Syiling freemason-New Malaysia 10 sen 2012

Some stupid bloggers out there are sharing a story about new Malaysian 10 sen coin motif on the reverse look like a Star of David in Israel flag. The funny thing is that they altered the coin motif to make it look like Star of David. It show how they are eagerly want to create a controversy from nothing. BNM has released a statement that it is the motive of the Orang Asli (taken from a form of decorative woven Aboriginal Malaysia), you can read more about their statement here; BNM reply on new duit syiling issue.

6. They're gold in 50 sen 1967, 1968, 1969.

Funny but they're also rumour out there that they're gold in 50 sen 1967, 1968, 1969. That is why the price of some of the coins can go up to thousand ringgit. The rumour certainly came from non-collector who don't know anything about numismatic. They're no gold in 50 sen security edge and the reality is collector pay a high price for a coin without a security edge for that particular years because they're hard to find/rare. If they're gold in that coin will you think the buyer gain any profit paying a high amount of money for that coin?

7. RM50 Merdeka can be exchange for RM100 at Bank Negara.

They're also rumour that RM50 with Merdeka logo can be exchange for RM100 at the nearest commercial banks or Bank Negara. The truth is you can only get face value if you want to exchange old banknotes at any Bank Negara branches, you can read it here; Tukar duit lama di BNM. Many non-collector believe the logo is special and it can give them a high return. If you want to get a profit from the RM50 merdeka, keep UNC notes and wait for 50 years. I believe it will be a rare item during that time especially if BNM make another RM50 100th years Merdeka banknote. Find a notes with a match number pair and you can earn more then the notes face value. For now, you can only exchange it with face value but most of the time, bank will not accept exchange since the notes still can be use.

8. Security edge parliament 50 sen other then 1967, 1968, 1969.

Other then 1967, 1968, 1969 50 sen coin, all the other parliament 50 sen coins edge have a "Bank Negara Malaysia" lettering. They're using the original coin and altered it to make the security edge. The coin size and weight will be decreasing from the original coins. They're also fake parliament coins with a security edge for non issue years.

9. Malaysia AA banknotes can get RM300.

When I am in Sabah a few months ago, they're people who telling me story that the price for AA prefix Malaysia banknotes can get you RM300 a piece. That person show me a bundle of his Malaysia banknote with AA prefix. Most of the banknotes are in circulated condition. I told him that people paying RM300 for a premier set of new 4th series Malaysia banknote issued by BNM for RM300. The notes came with AA prefix (only RM50 with AAA prefix) with the same number. You can get a high price for AA prefix notes if you can get a UNC condition notes but the price will not go to RM300 a piece yet.

10. 20 sen 2002 get RM2000.

BNM via its Official Facebook has issued a statement that the rumour about 20 sen 2002 get RM2000 is not true. You can read it in my post; 20 sen 2002 get RM2000. The coin exist but the rumour about exchange it for RM2000 certainly not true. I am not sure if the rumour about this exist out there since I never saw anyone come to my blog via "20 sen 2002" keyword. The only source I can find is the statement by BNM.

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New Canada $20 polymer

The new banknote had stir some controversy when some Canadian look at the Canadian National Vimy Memorial as a twin towers-World Trade Center before it was destroyed in a terrorist attack on 11 September 2001. To make matter worse, they can also see three topless women on the banknote reverse, on the top of the towers. Images of the new Canada $20 polymer banknote has been released by Bank of Canada on 2 May 2012. The notes will only available for public circulation starting November 2012. The tower is exactly a symbol of Justice, Peace and Hope on the WWI memorial in France.

The new banknote has been presented by Canada Minister of Finance Jim Flaherty and Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney at their  head office, on Wellington Street in Ottawa, Canada. To raise public awareness about the new note, the building’s north-east corner now features seven-storey high images of both sides of the polymer $20. The $20 bill, which accounts for over 50 per cent of all bank notes in circulation and is the main note dispensed by automated banking machines (ABMs), will begin circulating in November of this year. To prepare for the new notes, the Bank is working closely with financial institutions and manufacturers of bank note equipment to ensure a smooth transition to polymer. The Bank is also providing authentication training and support materials to law enforcement officers and to cash handlers in retail and financial institutions.

The banknote obverse show a new portrait of HM Queen Elizabeth II, who is celebrating her Diamond Jubilee this year. 

Portrait: Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
Signatures: Left – T. Macklem, Right – M. J. Carney
Size: 152.4 x 69.85 mm (6.0 x 2.75 inches)
Issue Date: November 2012

The banknote reverse pays tribute to the contributions and sacrifices of Canadian men and women in all military conflicts, and features the Canadian National Vimy Memorial. The Canadian National Vimy Memorial is featured on the new $20 note as a tribute to Canada’s contributions and sacrifices in military conflicts throughout its history. Located on the site of the 1917 Battle of Vimy Ridge, the Canadian National Vimy Memorial in France was erected in honour of Canadian service during the First World War.

The themes of all of the denominations are:

• $100 Medical Innovation – celebrates Canadian innovations in the field of medicine (Portrait: Sir Robert Borden)
• $50 CCGS Amundsen, Research Icebreaker – reflects Canada’s commitment to Arctic research and the development and protection of northern communities (Portrait: Sir William Lyon Mackenzie King)
• $20 The Canadian National Vimy Memorial – evokes the contributions and sacrifices of Canadians in conflicts throughout our history (Portrait: HM Queen Elizabeth II)
• $10 The Canadian train – represents Canada’s great technical feat of linking its eastern and western frontiers by what was, at the time, the longest railway ever built (Portrait: Sir John A. Macdonald)
• $5 Canadarm2 and Dextre – symbolize Canada’s continuing contribution to the international space program through robotics innovation (Portrait: Sir Wilfrid Laurier)

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£100 Diamond Jubilee commemorative note

State of Jersey has released a £100 Diamond Jubilee commemorative note to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. The £100 note will only be available from 1 June 2012. This note will be available for sale either individually, at face value, or within a commemorative Diamond Jubilee wallet priced at £105. The £100 note will form part of a series of commemorative events for the Island, including a presentation to the National Portrait Gallery of the Jersey Heritage commissioned holographic portrait of The Queen, ‘Equanimity’ by artist Chris Levine. you can start make a pre-order from the States of Jersey treasury. The note will feature the holographic portrait of the Queen which was commissioned by Jersey Heritage Trust on behalf of the States of Jersey. It will also feature English, French and Jerriais words and the holographic portrait will appear as the main image and on the security strip.

Picture by BBC: The Queen's Diamond Jubilee £100 note

The portrait has also been chosen as the lead image in the National Portrait Gallery's touring Jubilee exhibition The Queen: Art and Image.

How to order:
-You can email Treasury Cashiers at f.cashiers@gov.je.

-You can also contact Jersey Philatelic Bureau to pre-order this item:
Website: www.jerseypost.com
Tel: +44 (0)1534 516320
Email: stamps@jerseypost.comp
Price: £105.

Postal orders can only be sent to the UK, Channel Islands or the Isle of Man and the maximum amount available to order by post is £2,500. All orders will be delivered through The Royal Mail Special Delivery Courier Service. Please note that we are unable to courier currency notes to destinations outside the United Kingdom (UK). For UK orders there will be an additional postal charge.

Over the counter (from 1 June):
-Treasury Cashiers at Cyril Le Marquand House
-Broad Street Post Office

You can find more information at States of Jersey official website;£100 Diamond Jubilee commemorative note.

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Malaysia new banknote circulate 16 July 2012

Bank Negara Malaysia (Malaysia Central Bank) has just release a statement that Malaysia 4th series Banknote will start circulating from 16 July 2012. On 16 January 2012, Malaysia new coins start circulating for public use but there are many Malaysian who don't like the design and quality of the new coins. Most people cannot differentiate the 20 sen and 50 sen coins since the size and the design are almost the same. Some readers also reported that the coins can easily change its color. Until today, many cash handling machines were not calibrate to accept the new coins to ensure public convenience. Hopefully, the quality of the new banknotes series is much better then the coins. From the current Premier banknotes sales by Bank Negara, we can see some of the notes are torn because of mishandling. Right now, Bank Negara staff are busy educating people about the new Malaysia Currency. Wish they can educate collectors too.

Press release by Bank Negara Malaysia:

"New Malaysian Banknotes Series to be issued Into Circulation from 16 July 2012

Bank Negara Malaysia is pleased to inform members of the public that the new Malaysian banknotes series will be issued into circulation from 16 July 2012. Themed 'Distinctively Malaysia', the new banknotes series comprises denomination of RM1, RM5, RM10, RM20 and RM100. The current RM50 banknote has been issued since December 2007 and will continue to remain in circulation.

In preparation for the issuance of the new banknotes series, Bank Negara Malaysia has been working closely with financial institutions, businesses, cash handling vendors and local councils to facilitate a smooth transition to the new series since December 2011.

Numerous engagement sessions have been held with these stakeholders to ensure readiness of the systems and processes for the issuance of the new banknotes. Vendors of cash handling machines are urged to ensure that their machines can accept both the new and old banknotes series for the convenience of the public effective by this date.

Vendors and other relevant parties who have further queries can contact BNMLINK at 1-300-88-5465 or call 03 - 2698 8044 ext 7307/8658 or email to ncs@bnm.gov.my."

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For banknote prefix collectors, you can start collect the last prefix of Malaysia 3rd series banknotes. Just make sure you don't collect the wrong prefix. Try to join discussion in forum or Facebook groups to help you find the right prefix. Look like Muslim in Malaysia will be using a new banknote for Hari Raya Green Angpau. To any of my readers who are not collector, you can also start to collect the best condition current Malaysia banknote that you can find. To my foreign readers who are interested to get the new banknotes, you can read this; where to get Malaysia New Currency.

What your opinion in this matters?

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Asia Most Expensive Banknote

I think everyone already knew Asia Most Expensive Banknote is a complete 6 pieces with same serial number A/1 000001, Malaysia 1st series banknotes. The banknote sold for £115,100 four time the original estimate (£20,000-£30,000) in Auction by Spink on 8 October 2007. The item won by CIMB Bank of Malaysia and were given as a gift to Bank Negara Malaysia. On my visit to Sasana Kijang Bank Negara, I don't see this banknote on display at the museum. This banknote should be an attraction to visitors to the new museum. After over 5 years, these banknote still hold the title as The Most Expensive Banknote ever sold via auction in this world. The price is much more lower then The World Most Expensive Banknote at  USD$2,255,000 for US Grand Watermelon Banknote.

Here a little bit information about the notes by SPINK:

"The banknotes were a gift presented by Ismail Mohd Ali, on behalf of the Board of Governors of Bank Negara Malaysia, to the (fourth) King of Malaysia, Tuanku Ismail Nasiruddin Shah. They are preserved in a blue leather presentation album with the title Bank Negara Malaysia and arms in gold on the front cover. The folder contains the following: 1 ringgit, blue and multicoloured, 5 ringgit, green and multicoloured, 10 ringgit, blue and multicoloured, 50 ringgit, blue and multicoloured and 100 ringgit, purple and multicoloured, all ND (1967), serial number A/1 000001, all with portrait of Yang Di- Pertuan Agong, TuAnku Abdul Rahman, first King of Malaysia, at right, all are signed by Ismail Mohd Ali, value at centre and at each corner, all notes are mounted in card with gold border (Tan M 27, 28, 29, 30, 31). There is also a second presentation album containing 1000 ringgit, ND (1968), serial number A/1 000001, purple and multicoloured, portrait of Yang Di- Pertuan Agong, TuAnku Abdul Rahman, first king of Malaysia at right, signed by Ismail Mohd- Ali, value at centre and each corner, mounted in card with gold trim (Tan M 32)".
Source: SPINK.

I also heard rumours that this banknote set is a collection of Steven Tan but rumours are just rumour. We can hear any rumours but please don't believe until they're evidence come with it. Malaysia New Premier set for the Malaysia 4th series banknote also came with a same serial numbers in one pack. The price of the notes are not going up now but I believe one day its one of the collection that worth to keep. This post is exactly a repost of my old blog post, just to motivate all Malaysia New Premier set collectors out there who are not happy with the market price of the set. Just keep it, take a very good care of it and consider it as an investment. Looking at the most expensive Asian banknote sold in auction, the notes actually from 1967 and the auction in 2007, it need at least 50 years before you can really see the return of your investment. Be patient and try to collect other items to keep you from selling your investment.

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New Canada $50 polymer

On Monday 26 March 2012, Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney officially launched new Canada $50 polymer banknote featuring Canadian Coast Guard icebreaker and research vessel, the Amundsen, the event held at Canadian Coast Guard’s Québec port facility. On the obverse of the new $50 note features a portrait of Sir William Lyon Mackenzie King, while the back depicts the Arctic research icebreaker CCGS Amundsen, in port during the ceremony, as well as other imagery that reflects Canada’s commitment to Arctic research and the development and protection of northern communities. The new notes will be available at all financial institutions according to stages starting Monday. 

New $50 Banknote reverse

New $50 Banknote obverse

"Today is also a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Coast Guard. So we find ourselves in an ideal location, in Québec, a city with a rich maritime heritage," said Governor Carney.

"Icebreakers are an important part of the Coast Guard’s fleet, and it is entirely fitting to feature one on our currency. These new 50 dollar polymer bank notes, the second of our Frontiers series, will become available in banks throughout the country as of today."

"This series of bank notes is called “Frontiers” for two reasons. First, each bank note includes images that represent Canada’s exploits and achievements, particularly those in the sciences, technology or exploration. The image on this note is an example of expanding the frontiers of knowledge and understanding of the Arctic," he added.

The $20 note will be issued later this year, with the remaining bank notes in the series, the $5 and $10 notes, to be issued by the end of 2013. The designs and detailed images of these notes will not be released until their official unveiling dates.

The themes of all of the denominations are:

• $100 Medical Innovation – celebrates Canadian innovations in the field of medicine (Portrait: Sir Robert Borden)
• $50 CCGS Amundsen, Research Icebreaker – reflects Canada’s commitment to Arctic research and the development and protection of northern communities (Portrait: Sir William Lyon Mackenzie King)
• $20 The Canadian National Vimy Memorial – evokes the contributions and sacrifices of Canadians in conflicts throughout our history (Portrait: HM Queen Elizabeth II)
• $10 The Canadian train – represents Canada’s great technical feat of linking its eastern and western frontiers by what was, at the time, the longest railway ever built (Portrait: Sir John A. Macdonald)
• $5 Canadarm2 and Dextre – symbolize Canada’s continuing contribution to the international space program through robotics innovation (Portrait: Sir Wilfrid Laurier)

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New 50 ringgit this year?

New 50 ringgit this year? I read about it in many blog last year and I don't think I need to write about it since many of you slammed all the bloggers for stupidly sharing a wrong information in the world wide web. If some of you don't understand, some non-collector bloggers posted in their blog last year, Malaysia RM50 1998 Commonwealth Games Polymer banknote (RM50 SUKOM 98) as a new 50 ringgit banknote for 2012. A reader asked me via email on Sunday about the banknote. His email remind me that not everyone is a collector and as a collector we need to give people advice even if the question is funny and make you laugh. If many Malaysian understand their coins and banknotes better, hopefully that will help collectors in the long run, the more the merrier, right?

Will Malaysia use this banknote for 2012?

My answer is no, Malaysia will not have new 50 ringgit design for 2012. The RM50 design that you can see in your pocket right now (50 ringgit Merdeka banknote design) is the banknote that you will use in 2012. This 1998 commonwealth notes are meant to commemorate Commonwealth Games that has been held in Kuala Lumpur in 1998. Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) in co-operation with Sukom Ninety Eight Berhad has issued the 50 ringgit notes to commemorate the Kuala Lumpur '98 XVI Commonwealth Games.

Will Malaysia be using Polymer banknote for 2012?
Yes but only for RM1 and RM5 banknotes. You can read more about it in my old post:

• Malaysia New banknote 2012----News about new banknotes released.
• Malaysia 4th series banknote-----Technical Specification of the new banknotes.
• Duit Baru Malaysia----I share more pictures of the new banknotes here.

SUKOM banknote is the first polymer banknote to be issued in Malaysia but the notes will not be use in circulation for 2012.

A little bit information about SUKOM 98 RM50 banknote:

The Obverse design features the portrait of the first Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong on the right and the Kuala Lumpur city skyline with prominent landmarks in the centre. The Commonwealth Games Look Programme which features the stylised butterfly symbol and the gold-coloured Optical Variable Device (OVD) with the portrait of the first Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong in the clear window appear on the left. The logo of Bank Negara Malaysia appears in the other clear window on the right of the note. The Kuala Lumpur International Airport is featured as the central backdrop. To the right, the background design shows the artist's impression of the Multimedia Super Corridor connecting Kuala Lumpur City Centre to Putrajaya, Cyberjaya and the new Kuala Lumpur International Airport. The reverse design shows the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil in the centre. The logo of the Kuala Lumpur '98 XVI Commonwealth Games appears on the left of the note.

Can you still get the new banknotes at BNM?

From the info that I get yesterday (19 March 2012), The premier set still available at BNM headquarters. (I am not talking about the SUKOM 98, read the blog post link)

Why collector eager to buy the new banknote?

The Face value of the Premier set is only RM186 and everyone is paying RM300 for it, why don't you wait for the notes to start circulating in 2012? For non-collector information, it will most probably possible for you to get a same prefix number for the new banknote, especially the first prefix AA. 

Picture: Malaysia 2012 New Currency

PS: Please share this with your friends and families, so they can understand more about this rewarding hobby.

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£10, £20, £50 Pocket Tissues

A £10, £20, £50 Pocket Tissues that are on sale in eBay has been order to stop sale by Bank of England. The shop, Bright Ideas, in Melton, had been selling the novelty pocket tissues via its online eBay shop. The tissue are just smaller than the real banknotes and only printed on one side. As reported in financial-news.co.uk, a Bank of England spokesman said: “Under section 18(1) of the Forgery and Counterfeiting Act 1981 it is a criminal offence for any person, without the prior consent in writing of the Bank of England, to reproduce on any substance whatsoever, and whether or not on the correct scale, any Bank of England banknote or any part of a Bank of England banknote. The images on the tissue products in question fall within the Act, and because we have not given permission for our copyrighted images to be used in this way we have asked eBay to remove them from their site".

I think Bank of England have the right to stop the sale because they have the copyright for the banknotes even if the Novelty tissue doesn't look like real money. They don't said anything about the action that Bank of England will be taken against the shop. I think they're also many same story to Malaysia banknotes too but most of it doesn't come out to our national newspaper. The recent one is an engine oil company who produce a discount coupon that look like a RM50 banknotes. The coupon has been withdrawn by the company but many collectors that I know still like to keep the coupon.

For Malaysia currency reproduction, Bank Negara Malaysia has issued this statement in their website:

You are not allowed to reproduce the Malaysian currency. It is also illegal for you to use any photograph, drawing or design of any note, coin or any part of the note or coin, of any size, scale or colour, in any advertising or on any merchandise or products, which are manufactured, sold, circulated or distributed except with the permission of BNM. You may be fined up to RM5,000 if you were to reproduce the Malaysian currency without the permission of BNM.

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Printer name on Malaysia Banknote

I think many die hard collector has been realizing this for many years now, we has not seen a printer name printed on the back of Malaysia Banknote for quite some time. David from malayastraitsbanknotes.blogspot.com raise the issue when we had a chat last month. If you don't know David, he is one of Malaysia Numismatic Celebrity that I had been talking about in this blog before. He is using an ID "Profxxx" in eBay Malaysia. He have a very vast knowledge of Malaysia banknote, what you can see in his blog are just a small amount of knowledge that he keep in his mind. Hopefully one day he will be willing to share his knowledge with everyone.

Back to the issue, Printer name on Malaysia Banknote that has not been printed. Everyone has already knew the name of the printer for new Malaysia Banknote, Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Donald Lim Siang Chai told the Dewan Rakyat in November 2011, Malaysia new banknote printer will be Crane AB, Sweden; Giesecke and Devrient GmbH, Germany; Oberthur Technologies, France, and Orell Fussli, Switzerland. But do we see the printer name on the back of the new banknotes? Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) don't print the information on the notes for a reason that only BNM know.  Some friends said that is because of politic, BNM afraid the info will be used to investigate their employers relating to the supply of the banknote.

Whatever the reasons, the missing information on the banknote has make us lose opportunity to collect Malaysia banknotes according to printers variety. According to David who have some info from BNM staff, Malaysia banknote printed by many printers. Thats why we can see some varieties on the banknotes. I had seen some collectors discussing about the banknote variety without even knowing that Malaysia notes printed by many printers. Some collectors even don't know that Malaysia do print some of its banknote in Malaysia. With the banknote printer printed on the banknote, we can also see a price increase for some of the banknote. That will also help motivate new collector to start join the hobby of king in Malaysia.

Back in the old days, we can see Thomas De La Rue, Bradbury Wilkinson or Giesecke Devrient on the back of Malaysia banknote. For some BNM governor, we have over 10 varieties per one denomination. Tan Sri Dato Seri Zeti Abdul Aziz has been BNM governor since May 2000, imagine how many varieties of banknotes that we can collect with the printer information on the back.

What do you think about this issue. Will the name of the printer on the back of Malaysia banknote will give benefits to Malaysia banknote collectors?

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Belarus new 200,000 rubles banknote

Yesterday, The National Bank of Belarus has released Belarus new 200,000 rubles banknote, the highest denomination banknote for Belarus. Belarus previous highest denomination notes, 100,000 rubles were introduced in July 2005. The introduction of the new banknote presented by Vladimir Senko, Deputy Chairman of the National Bank at the Bank Headquarters in Minsk. They're no information about when the banknote will be in circulation during the presentation. Belarus ruble lost two-thirds of its value in 2011 and the introduction of the new banknote is to improve the cashflow structure.

The bill is made in green-gray, brown and orange tones. The Obverse side depicts Mahiliou Voblast Art Museum in the eastern city of Mogilev. The reverse side features a collage of decorative elements of the museum building. The new bill will be signed by the current head of the National Bank, Nadezhda Ermakova.

Source: Telegraf.by

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Cheap RM1 AAH for sale

Cheap RM1 AAH for sale.

"I have 12 pieces Running numbers RM1 AAH banknote for sale. Some are circulated but I have 2 pieces in UNC. If you want, I will sell it for you for RM100 a piece. Some people might sell this for thousands ringgit. Since I get this notes at face value, RM100 a piece already enough for me. I heard many people were looking for this notes. I also have many old Malaysia gold coins in my collection. You can contact me at *******@gmail.com".

That is an email I received from a reader who offer me his item. I don't buy any item from anyone via email before but the content of his email make me want to ask him more about it.

Me: What is the Prefix and who signed the banknote?
Mr.X: AAH lar.., signed by Zeti.
ME: The Prefix is AAH?
Mr.X: Ya.
Me: People were looking for Prefix CR and signed by Ali Abul Hassan.
Mr.X: I don't have those. I saw in the internet many people looking for RM1 AAH.
Me: AAH (Ali Abul Hassan) not the prefix AAH. His sign look like Aisah, people also called the note RM1 sign Aishah.
Mr.X: Malaysia don't have any Bank Negara Gabenor name Aishah.
Me: LOL.
Mr.X: Ok lar..., I sell to you RM10 a piece, RM100 for 12 pieces.
Me: I don't want.
Mr.X: How about Malaysia gold coins?
Me: I guess you have the Malaysia RM1 gold coins, is it?
Mr. X: Ya..., 2 pieces. You want?
Me: No, thanks.
Mr.X: RM200 a piece.
Me: LOL. I still can get them for free. Its actually a normal Malaysia RM1 coins not a gold coin.
Mr.X: Owh.....

Collector like us should try our best to explain to non-collector about their collection. Many of them think, old money is gold. To normal people, Malaysia only have 4th series of banknotes but to collectors, we already have over dozen series of banknote. Malaysia 2nd series coins are called Cultural Artifact Series by BNM but we called the coins as a bunga raya series. The new coins most probably will be called Euro series or lightweight series by collector even though BNM has released it as a Distinctively Malaysia series. Collector name the collections differently from what the BNM has announce. 

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Story of Paper Money Exhibition

Story of Paper Money Exhibition will be held from 18 February until 1 July 2012 at Taipeh Story House, one of Taiwan famous mini museum. 1,100 legal tender Paper Money are on display at the exhibition focusing on the artistic beauty of the banknote. The exhibition start with the development of paper money issued by Taiwan, going back to 1899 when the country was occupied by Japan. One of the feature banknotes on display during the exhibition are 30cm long bill from China's Ming Dynasty and 3cm commemorative banknote celebrating the 300th anniversary of Russia's Romanov Dynasty.

International Bank Note Society Banknotes of the year from 2005-2011 are also some of the Paper Money in the exhibition including Uganda 50,000 shilling banknote (Banknote of 2010). The exhibition also features a collection of 189 "Notgelds," or emergency money, that Germany and Austria-Hungary issued after the First World War in response to a failing financial system. The exhibits include banknotes denominated in Japanese yen and early paper money issued by the Republic of China government. Some of the more unusual items are silk bills issued by Germany after the First World War because of a lack of resources, and Swahili bill featuring a portrait of the first king of Swaziland, his nine wives and two children.

The exhibition will also feature many of the tools artisans use to carve the blocks used to print bank notes, giving viewers a chance to see how the pictures on the bill are formed as well as the work that goes into making the blocks.

Opening Hours: Tue. to Sun. (closed Mondays)
Every Saturday, people with the character “chien” (錢), or money, in their name can enter the exhibition free of charge using their national identification card.

Admission
Adults: NT$50
Groups（4+) :NT$40
Students, Groups (10+): NT$30
Free admission for children under six years of age, seniors over 65, disabled people with one companion.

Source: Storyhouse, Focus Taiwan News, Taipeh Times.

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Old News-RM50 gold line release

One of my friends in Facebook asked, "how much is the price of RM50 gold line banknote when it was released in 2008?" The banknote has been released for sell by Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) on 26 December 2007. The RM50 notes release to mark Malaysia's 50 years of independence. It a symbol of Malaysia's success, stability of the ringgit and the economy and strength and prosperity of the nation. On the day of the launch, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who is also Finance Minister, received the first note from Bank Negara Governor Zeti Akhtar Aziz. 

Only 20,000 pieces of the notes, which would be especially packaged with information on the security features. The new RM50 banknote was printed by German-based company which has manufacturing facilities in Canada and Malaysia (Do you know what Printer? Will write about this later). The new RM50 banknote with special packaging will be available for sale to the public at RM60 per set from 26 December 2007. The new RM50 banknote is the first denomination of the fourth series of Malaysian currency notes.

How much the price of the 50 ringgit goldline banknote today? Many people comparing the price of the RM50 goldline and the new premier 4th series banknote. The new banknote has been produced at a very high quantity. Many collectors who want to gain an instant profit make a mistake by holding the notes and hoping the price is going up in an instance. Only a few sellers who sold their item on the first week of the release can get a high price on the banknote, lucky them. The price will be going up but it will take time to gain a high price like what happen to 50 ringgit commemorative. If you can get the RM50 goldline with the same number as your premier notes, that will be a very good collection. All AA Prefix notes with the same number. 

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Counterfeit Solomon Islands banknote warning

The Central Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI) would like to remind the general public to properly check the security features of Solomon Islands banknotes, particularly the high value One Hundred Dollar ($100) and Fifty Dollar ($50) denominations. CBSI believes that a number of counterfeit one hundred ($100) Solomon Islands’ currency notes is currently circulating. These counterfeits were likely produced by a computer scanner or a highly sensitive color photocopier.

Key security features to look for on banknotes are:

• Watermark image of the eagle and the lettering CBSI should come out clearly into view when the note is held against light; 
• A complete security thread is visible at the center of the notes; 
• A silver shining hologram next to the Solomon Islands Government Coat of Arms.

The Central Bank reminds the public to exercise extra-caution when accepting banknotes because a number of counterfeit notes are also circulating in the country. Should anyone have any knowledge or information that would assist the Bank to identify the person(s)or sources of these counterfeit notes, please inform the Police or the Currency & Banking Operations Department of the Central Bank of Solomon Islands on phone (677) 21791 or Email: info@cbsi.com.sb.

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South Africa Mandela banknote

On Saturday, South Africa President, Jacob Zuma announce a new South Africa Mandela banknote. The Nelson Mandela's face will feature on all South Africa's bank notes to honour the former president's role in fighting apartheid. The announcement coincides with the 22nd anniversary of Mandela's release from prison after serving 27 years in jail for his opposition to white-only rule. On 11 February 1990, President Nelson Mandela walked out of prison a free man, after has been jailed 27 years in Robben Island Prison.

The currency will have the same denominations (10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 rand), sizes and colours but the front of all notes will carry a specially designed engraving of former President Nelson Mandela. The reverse side of each denomination will have an image of one of the big five animals; lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and Cape buffalo. The new Mandela banknote, who became South Africa's first democratically elected president in 1994, will be in circulation by the end of the year.

South African Reserve Bank also announce that the current notes remain legal tender and there will be a programme of replacement with the new notes over time. Further details will be communicated to the public during the course of the year.

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Fake Jose Rizal 150 pesos

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) just release a warning advise today via their website about the Fake Jose Rizal 150 pesos Banknote.  BSP has never issued nor is planning to issue such type of banknote. Therefore, any 150-Piso commemorative note or similar banknote is fictitious. The public is advised to report anyone passing such 150-Piso fictitious notes to the police authorities and/or to the Investigation Division, Cash Department, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Security Plant Complex, East Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City through telephone numbers 926-5092 and 929-7071 local 618 or via e-mail through bspmail@bsp.gov.ph.

The only Commemorative BSP released for 150th years of Jose Rizal Birthday is a 1 piso Jose Rizal Commemorative coin last December. For anyone who don't know, the National Hero of the Philippines, was born on June 19th, 1861 and 2011 marks the 150th anniversary of his birth. I like the idea of 150 pesos banknote and that will be a perfect commemorative notes, if they exist. Since BSP already announced that this banknote never exist, we can only dreaming about it. I read in some forum, this note are actual design submitted to BSP but never release into production. We can read so many thing about it but if they don't exist, we cannot collect them, right.

Source: www.bsp.gov.ph

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Kittens in China 100 yuan

I just read a news at China Daily, someone found kittens in China 100 yuan banknote. The news from Beijing News reported an  internet users claim they found the figure of three kittens in the new fifth series of the banknote. They claim two kittens appear opposite each other kneeling down with another in the center gazing with its mouth open. The "worshiping cats" is said to be anti forgery technology use by People's Bank of China. I look at my 100 yuan bill just now and yes, they're 6 kittens on the notes, not just three and I don't need magnifying glass to find it. The pair of 3 kittens can be found near the head of Mao Zedong.

Picture by Beijing News: Kittens in 100 Yuan notes

The Beijing News reported, a leading banknote and coin expert has denied a figure of a group of kittens appears in the new 100 yuan bill after a number of people claimed to have spotted the furry pets hidden in the banknote. Internet users claim they found the figure of three kittens in the new fifth series of the banknote after close inspection under a magnifying glass.  But Yuan Yinlong, a banknote and coin expert in Central China's Henan province, said the figures are just the work of the imagination of Internet users. "Internet users purposely highlighted the lines to form the animal-like figure," he said. Yuan also said the design of Chinese currency banknotes adopt advanced anti-forgery technology that is a state secret. The figures in the banknote seem to combine traditional elements and modern cartoon patterns.

Do you have any 100 Yuan banknote? Try check the kittens on the notes of your.

Source: chinadaily.com.cn

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Malaysia Fancy Number Banknote

I am not a fan of Malaysia Fancy Number Banknote but many of my Malaysian friends collect them. In my opinion, the note can be easily found with a little bit hard work, go to bank and change a new notes every week. Do remember, you cannot change new notes at commercial bank easily unless you have an account in the bank or knew someone in the bank. Most collector start their fancy banknote collection from notes that they find in circulation. Buying a notes like this sometime can be very expensive and it is not easy to sell them next time. If you're newbies in fancy notes collecting, make sure you study the price of the notes very well. The banknote condition also play a role on determine their price. Here are some list for newbies to understand, what kind of fancy numbers they should look for.

Low Serial

If you have a serial number under 100, most of the time, the price is 4 times then the high serial number. For example, a notes with Prefix AA0000099 is a low serial number, a AA0023189 is a high serial number (I am not talking about 1st prefix in here). Quite often, a serial number below 1000 is consider as a low serial number.

Binary

AA0000099 can also be categorize as Binary, a notes with two unique digits. Other Binary Numbers example are AA9919199, AA5535535, AA4555544.

TrinaryA trinary number notes is when the banknote contain 3 unique digits, for example AA3355544, AA1122331 or AA0322023.

Solid and Near Solid

AA8888888 is a solid numbers, its happen when all the serial number are the same. This is the most sought after fancy category and most of the time are very rare to find people want to sell their solid number collection. Near solid number is when one number is different from the other numbers, for example, AA8888188.

Radar

Radar number is when the serial number are the same forward or backward, For example AA0322032, AA1232321 or AA3351533.

Repeater

This happen when a sequence of numbers repeat itself in the prefix, for example  AA1212121, AA6767676 or AA5050505.

Ladder

Another rare and sought after numbers is a ladder, serial number with ascending or descending digits, for example AA1234567 or AA8765432. Some people also collect near ladder banknote, for example AA0234567, AA3123456 or AA0765432.

Birthday

You can also find someone birthday to keep it in your fancy number collection. For example, our Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib birth is 23 July 1953, you can try find notes with prefix AA2371925. It will be easy to find buyer if you can find a birthday number banknote related to celebrity.

I think they're other category that I don't mention in this post, will add them later. Do remember, a combination of two or more category will give your notes a higher value to fancy numbers collector. I am not a collector of fancy number banknote, please correct me if I had done some mistake in this tutorial.

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SaPuloh Watermark agong UV light

I had seen some people selling SaPuloh Watermark agong UV light in a blog for RM200,000 before. The banknote is exactly a real note with agong watermark in UV light. If you look close enough on the banknote picture, the tiger watermark is still there and the agong watermark is on top. You can only see the Agong watermark in the dark. Sorry, I am not sharing the picture of the mention blog in here, you can try search it in Google. A watermark is a recognizable image or pattern in paper that appears as various shades of lightness/darkness when viewed by transmitted light (or when viewed by reflected light, atop a dark background), caused by thickness or density variations in the paper.

A bit funny to me when many Malaysian believe that such thing is real and many Malaysian don't know how easy it is to print or write a UV light pictures and words. You can buy an invisible UV ink cartidge at lowyat for a small amount of money. The ink is uv light sensitive ink, which is invisible under normal light. You can also buy UltraViolet light pen in Petaling street. That's mean you can also make it youself if you can find UV ink cartidge or UltraViolet light pen. There is no Sapuloh watermark agong produced by Bank Negara.

Here is a video from Youtube, show how easy it is to print a UV light design:

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