Handball 2010 - 50 € Gold Proof 1/4 oz

Almost everyone in this world knew football or soccer but most of us never heard about handball. French Mint or Monnaie de Paris is issuing a coin featuring Handball in their €50 Gold Proof 1/4 oz coin. This coins minted to show support for French handball team that had been excelled in that sports for several years. Only 1000 pieces of this collection will be minted for world circulation. Coins is in .920 gold proof quality. The item price at € 370.00.

The obverse shows an attacker pivoting against a goalkeeper at full stretch. To the left, Big Ben, the London landmark, reminds us of the location of the next Olympic Games of 2012. The reverse shows an image of Earth focusing on the European continent. London is marked on the map with a dot and in the middle of the globe is a player shooting at full stretch.

Description:

Artist: Atelier de Gravure
Weight: 8,45 g
Diameter: 22 mm
Mintage: 1,000
Metal: Gold .920 fine
Quality: Proof

Handball is a team sport in which two teams of seven players each (six outfield players and a goalkeeper) pass a ball to throw it into the goal of the other team. The team with the most goals after two periods of 30 minutes wins. Modern handball is usually played indoors, but outdoor variants exist in the form of field handball (which was more common in the past) and beach handball. The International Amateur Handball Federation was formed in 1928, and the International Handball Federation was formed in 1946.

Holger Nielsen, a Danish gym teacher, drew up the rules for modern handball (håndbold) in 1898 and published them in 1906, and Rasmus Nicolai Ernst, another Danish teacher, did something similar in 1897. Another set of team handball rules was published on 29 October 1917 by Max Heiser, Karl Schelenz, and Erich Konigh from Germany. After 1919 these rules were improved by Karl Schelenz. The first international games were played under these rules, between Germany and Belgium for men in 1925 and between Germany and Austria for women in 1930.

Source: French Mint, Wikipedia.

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Singapore 45 Years of independence commemorative coin

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has launched the Singapore 45 Years of Independence Commemorative Coins on 28 July 2010. 2 kind of coins will be minted by MAS. A $5 Silver Proof Colour Coin and $2 Cupro-Nickel Proof-Like Colour Coin. The Silver Proof Colour Coin comes in an innovative rectangular shape; the first of its kind in Singapore. This collection will be sold by Singapore mint starting 6 August 2010.

The coin design draws inspiration from the 2010 National Day Parade theme, ‘Live Our Dreams, Fly Our Flag’. At the centre of the coin is a group of Singaporeans rejoicing at the Padang, the venue for this year’s National Day celebrations. Flanking the group of Singaporeans on the left is the logo for this year’s National Day theme while to the right is an artistic perspective of the City Hall. Four of them have been shaded in different colours to depict the 4 main ethnic races in Singapore. Flanking the group of Singaporeans on the left is the logo for this year’s National Day theme, symbolizing aspiration and hope, while the right is an artistic perspective of the City Hall.

The coins will be issued on Friday, 6 August 2010. The details of the coins are as follows:

a) $5 Silver Proof Colour Coin.
Face value: $5 Singapore Dollar.
Weight: 31.10 grams
Diameter: 51mm x 30mm.
Composition: .999 fine silver with full colour application.
Mintage: 5,000 pieces.

b) $2 Cupro-Nickel Proof-Like Colour Coin.
Face value: $2 Singapore Dollar.
Diameter: 38.70mm.
Composition: Proof-Like condition with selective colour application.
Mintage: 6,000 pieces.

c) 2-in-1 Coin Set.
The coin set consists of a $5 Silver Proof Colour Coin and a $2 Cupro-Nickel Proof-Like Colour Coin. Limited mintage of 2,010 sets.

The coins will be sold by The Singapore Mint. For enquiries and coin orders, the public can contact The Singapore Mint at their website www.singaporemint.com. An early Happy Independence day to all Singaporean.

Source: Singapore Mint.

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RM500 signed by Ismail Muhammad Ali?

RM500 signed by Ismail Muhammad Ali or is it the Bank Negara Malaysia 1st Gabenor Ismail Mohamed Ali? For this past few weeks, everyone keep on asking me if my old 500 ringgit notes is signed by Ismail Mohd Ali. Today, a guy called me and said he want to buy that notes. They sound like they desperately need to meet me today. One of the guy who called me, mistakenly asked his friends for approval about our meet up place. When I asked how many of them that want to meet me, he answered four. We arrange the meet up at 5.30 pm.

I have been doing business since 2003 and 4 people meeting me for a piece of banknote that I sold for RM650 sound suspicious. In my head they maybe want to rob me or something, that why they need 4 people to meet me. I learn my mistake before, while meeting customer in a mamak stall, a guy steal my straits settlements notes while I was talking with a customer. Nowadays, I always meet people at a closed door premises; like in KFC, McDonald or Pizzahut restaurant. All that restaurant had a glass door that you need to open to come in and come out and CCTV. Not like mamak restaurant with an open air concept were people can run away easily with your belonging.

Photo: my cheap 6th series RM500 in my sales page.

I arrived at our meeting place around 5.15 pm but those guys already called me twice. When I arrived, I called them and they said they're in the mamak restaurant beside Port Klang McD. When I look at the glass window over to that restaurant, i saw four smartly dress guys paying their bill. I have a second taught, maybe these guys a Bank Negara Malaysia staff and want to meet me for real because of my post; this blog only for collector?

An older guy from the rest of them introduced everyone for me. He is telling me, he is the one who is calling and looking for that notes. He is asking if that note signed by the late Tun Ismail Mohamad Ali? I said it is not, my 500 ringgit notes signed by Tun Jaafar Hussein. He said a wealthy guy asked him to find a 500 ringgit notes with Ismail Mohamad Ali signature. The guy is telling him he heard a news that only 15 of such notes exist. He say sorry because that "Datuk" don't want to buy my note.

Malaysian and their rich quick scheme mentality. Everyone are thinking that I as a seller will sell that kind of rare banknote for RM650? Come on, that notes don't even exist. It is the same thing as the Malaysia Sa-Puloh Ringgit banknote with YDPA Agong watermark. That note are just replica and more like a myth for us collector. The best I can see is a guy who stupidly using a picture edited with Photoshop software of the sa-puloh ringgit and put it in his blog. Claiming that he own one piece of the notes.

Photo: Ismail Mohamed Ali Signature

To all middlemen or any "runner" who is looking for the notes, please asked your customer first before you want to meet up. You don't even know how Ismail Mohamad Ali signed look like? His signature look like his name or you don't know how to spell? Please know what do your customer want you to hunt. Just don't waste people time and money meeting you. Go to school and learn or better asked around first.

To anyone who has found this note, please provide me with clear picture. I will put it here with a link to your blog or sales page. Anyone dare?

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Fake £1 coins rising in circulation

This week, most major news in Britain were giving the same message; Beware of rising fake £1 coins in circulation. You need to know how to spot a fake £1 coins. Their warning came as new figures indicated there were £41 million fake £1 coins in Britain; one in every 36 in circulation. This is a record level and suggests that the proportion of counterfeit coins had tripled in the last decade.

"This has a huge effect on confidence in our currency. Clearly the one pound coin is something the Royal Mint needs to reconsider. Even one in a hundred fake coins is too many. The effect on consumers has to be a major consideration. if you take it to the shop that gives it to you they may replace it on trust, but they don't have to. A lot of people have lost out because of this. I hope that the Government will look at it more deeply," Mr Rossindell said.

Robert Matthews, the former Queen's Assay Master at the Royal Mint, the most senior coin tester in the country, said: "If the number of fakes keeps increasing at this rate, there will have to come a point when the Treasury makes the decision whether to remint or not."

Scrapping the £1 coin would be very expensive for the Government as well as major upheaval for consumers. However, other countries have been forced to take similar action when counterfeits became too prevalent. The 5 rand coin in 2004 was reissued after taxi-drivers and shopkeepers in South Africa started to refuse to accept them. Fakes were just 2 per cent of all coins, compared with 2.81 per cent with the British £1.

Experts said it was becoming increasingly difficult for shoppers in Britain to spot a fake. The only time they usually notice is when they are rejected by a parking meter or vending machine, which contain devices to monitor whether the metal composition of the coins are correct. However, at least half the fakes are now so good they pass these tests.


How to spot a fake £1 coin:

• Indistinct lettering or wrong typeface on edge
• Queen's head and pattern on reverse should both be upright when coin is turned over
• Design on reverse should correspond with official design for year of its issue

One way to identify a fake is to check the alignment of the coin. By holding it so the Queen's head is upright and facing you - when you spin it round, the pattern on the reverse should also be upright. Fakes can often be at an angle. The Royal Mint's online design portfolio can also be used to easily identify what is genuine and what is not. Since they were introduced in 1983, the design on the reverse of the coins has changed every year.

This is the complete set of UK one pound chart that you can hunt for.

Date Reverse Description
1983 Ornamental royal arms.
1984 Thistle sprig in a coronet, representing Scotland.
1985 Leek in a coronet, representing Wales.
1986 Flax in a coronet, representing Northern Ireland.
1987 Oak tree in a coronet, representing England.
1988 Crown over the Royal Shield.
1989 Thistle sprig in a coronet, representing Scotland.
1990 Leek in a coronet, representing Wales.
1991 Flax in a coronet, representing Northern Ireland.
1992 Oak tree in a coronet, representing England.
1993 Ornamental royal arms.
1994 Lion Rampant in a double tressure flory,representing Scotland.
1995 Dragon Passant representing Wales.
1996 Celtic cross and pimpernel, representing Northern Ireland.
1997 Three lions passant guardant, representing England.
1998 Issued in collectors' sets only, not for circulation.
1999 Issued in collectors' sets only, not for circulation.
2000 Dragon Passant representing Wales.
2001 Celtic cross and pimpernel, representing Northern Ireland.
2002 Three lions passant guardant, representing England.
2003 Ornamental royal arms.
2004 Scottish Forth Railway Bridge
2005 Welsh Menai Straits Bridge
2006 Northern Ireland Egyptian Arch at Newry
2007 English Millennium Bridge
2008 The shield from the Royal Coat of Arms.

This link is for a complete sets of UK one pound picture pdf.

Source: Telegraph.co.uk, BBC News.

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A piece of coin for 50,000?

Yesterday, everyone seem asking me almost the same question; why some mudah.my seller can sell their item for 50,000 ringgit? Some reader of this blog even email me that I valued his item at a lower price but some mudah sellers can sell the same item at RM50,000? Another reader sms me asking do I know why some people selling their 1971 1 ringgit circulated coins at a high price? Checking on mudah today, I found some ads that are almost similar to what my readers are telling me.

• Straits settlement coin 1 cents (Straits Settlements 1914 King George V 1 cent)Price: RM 50 000.
• Syiling antik 1 sen (British North Borneo 1904 1 cent) Price: RM 5 000.
• Queen Victoria 3 Quarter Cent 1824 Price: RM 2 500.
• Koleksi Coins Antik Penemuan Asli 16pc (this guy is telling that he found the item using metal detecting) Price: RM 15 000.
• Syiling lama Zaman British (5 pieces of coins) Price: RM 10 000.

Why they can put their item at a high price like this and I am telling some of you, your coins (the same coin) only valued at face value? I already tell that in my earlier post, This blog only for collector: It is legal for me to offer anything to you and it is also legal for you to turn it down. In the mudah sellers case, it is legal for them to offer any price that they deemed necessary. Its up to the buyer to decide want to buy their item or not.

Other thing that you need to know, not everyone in Malaysia is a collector and not everyone know the market value of every coins. Sometimes, I myself need a help on other collector knowledge about the value of some item. If you were a collector will you buy any item with a ridiculous price like that? Most collector will be laughing when saw that ads and go away from that kind of ads. Putting item on sell is other thing but do people buy them? Everyone can put as high price as they want but in the end its up to the buyer to decide.

Most people are saying this bunch of mudah seller is a scammer, a fraudster and a conman who trying to get rich quick and make money fast. Who know. Maybe that is the only way that can help them earn quick money fast. Some of them maybe a little short on cash and were thinking that selling antique, collectible or old coin like that can help them. For me, i don't bother how other people make business by cheating their customer like that. As long as I try my best to be honest with all my buyer. If you want to join them, I will say "good luck" and welcome to my Mudah advertising jokes collections. Just wish you will be number one because I will post that soon.

Do any of you feeling dissatisfied with any ridiculous price in mudah.my ads lately?

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Malaysia mega carnival sale is back

Any of you wishing for a mega sales on buying your coins, banknotes or stamps collection? Last Sunday, I have a meeting with some of my local coins friends. Someone brought an issue of Malaysia mega sale carnival 2010 (MMSC 2010) that already started on Saturday. The most awaited mega sale will be running for 55 days. It will ended on 16 September 2010. The annual sales already in its 11 years. This year, the sale focus on fashion but shoppers can also shop for, among others, designer goods, home decor items, computer peripherals and electrical appliances. The event is one way to promote tourism by The Ministry of Tourism Malaysia.

For this year MMSC 2010 is having MasterCard as their official card. Mastercard will be rewarding its cardholders with attractive weekly prizes worth up to RM100,000 through its ‘MasterCard Spend and Win Programme’. Every week for eight weeks, MasterCard cardholders will stand a chance to win a MasterCard Priceless Eco travel package to East Malaysia. Aside from this priceless experience, MasterCard will also be giving away two Apple iPad 3G, weekly for eight weeks. Each transaction charged by a MasterCard cardholder during the promotion period entitles the cardholder to one chance to win one of a total of 24 prizes. Cardholders will automatically be entered through their transactions and the selection process will be done via a computerized system. You can read more about it in their official website.

Why do we talk about this event? That friend is asking why do Malaysia coin dealer never participated in this events? Imagine if there are mega sales for your banknote, coin and stamps. Its sound like a jokes but that kind of sales are possible. Most dealer buy them at 50% lower then market price. Some even buy them 200% lower then market price. A 70% sales for some of their items are possible. Participating in mega sales will bring new batch of collector. New collector will remember you and talk about you if your item is cheaper then what others offer them. Word of mouth from this new collector will bring new buyer too. Mega sales will help sellers doing their sales and clearing their old stock.


But that most probably a wish that will never be came true for all coin and banknote buyer. Why? The main reason most probably because collectible item price will be going up every year. As long as the items condition are taken care of. The price most probably will be going up, if you can stand the waiting years it will take. Some friend were saying, collecting banknotes and coins are far much better then buying silver and gold. But you need to know what to collect and how to check your items for fake or counterfeit or cleaned notes. 5 years ago, Malaysia 1 ringgit Ali Abul Signature banknote cost only RM80 for the circulated notes. Today, it cost at least RM350 if you know where to look for them. Making a cheap sales most probably not an option since not every item are hot items in Malaysia collector market. We have a very small market. Most of my new buyer is people who want to find some Malaysia banknote because it give them a little bit of nostalgia.

Malaysia coin dealer doing a mega sales sound like a jokes after that but I do think most of us dreaming the same dreams. Certainly to a new collector who still trying to find a good and fast way to complete their collection. Anyone of you dreaming about the same thing?

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Its easy to throw money

I have been visiting Melaka famous A Famosa Fort recently. While visiting the big fort, I found out that some people like to throw their money in a well and some open graveyard. Its easy to throw money or is it because throwing money is a tradition that we cannot doing? To anyone who have not going to A famosa, it is a fortress located in Malacca, Malaysia. It is among the oldest surviving European architectural remains in Asia. The Porta de Santiago, a small gate house, is the only remaining part of the fortress still standing.

Photo: Melaka Famous "The Porta De Santiago".

Why do people throw money in a well, fountain or lake? Most people do that after they make a wish. In most cases, they throw coins or put some offering near that well or fountain. Some maybe wishing about their life and throw a penny. Its been going on for a very long time. When I am talking with some friends in Melaka recently, he told me that people throw some pretty good collection in there. People working in that place found some gold and old coins when its time to clean that place. I don't know if that true but the tradition of throw a wish with your coin sound fascinating to me.

Photo: A Wishing well.

A wishing well is a term from European folklore to describe wells where it was thought that any spoken wish would be granted. The idea that a wish would be granted came from the idea that water housed deities or had been placed there as a gift from the gods, since water was a source of life and often a scarce commodity. People believe that the guardians or dwellers of the well would grant them their wish if they paid a price. After uttering the wish, one would generally drop coins in the well. That wish would then be granted by the guardian or dweller, based upon how the coin would land at the bottom of the well.

In Rome, Italy, an estimated 3,000 euros are thrown into the Trevi Fountain each day. A traditional legend holds that if visitors throw a coin into the fountain, they are ensured a return to Rome. Among those who are unaware that the "three coins" of Three Coins in the Fountain were thrown by three different individuals, a reported current interpretation is that two coins will lead to a new romance and three will ensure either a marriage or divorce. A reported current version of this legend is that it is lucky to throw three coins with one's right hand over one's left shoulder into the Trevi Fountain.

Photo: This is suppose to be a graveyard but you can see money thrown away.

In ancient Greece it was an offering to the Naiad nymph of the spring or well. She was an important spirit, for if the fountain ran dry the town would be without water. In Greek mythology, the Naiads or Naiades were a type of nymph who presided over fountains, wells, springs, streams, and brooks. The god of merchants, Hermes, also had luck oracles where people would toss a coin into the sacred spring and the priest would interpret the meaning by how it fell.

According to ancient mythology such as Mímir's Well from Nordic myths, also known as the "Well of Wisdom", a Well that could grant you infinite wisdom provided you sacrificed something you held dear. Odin was asked to sacrifice his right eye which he threw into the well to receive not only the wisdom of seeing the future but the understanding of why things must be. Mímir is the Nordic god of wisdom, and his well sits at the roots of Yggdrasil, the World Tree which draws its water from the well.

Any of you make a wish lately?

Source: Wikipedia.

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Old RM100 note security features

End of last month, a guy posted a question in Malaysia Star newspaper opinion section, on how to check for RM100 note security features. In his writing, sound like he just received a fake 100 notes and a little bit frustrated with it. Anyway, he got it from a bank and manage to change it from the bank who give him the counterfeit 100 ringgit. Another proof that most Malaysian don't know their money very well; he asked Bank Negara on how do you spot a fake RM100 bill? Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) already produced an official post in their website on how to spot the security features when the RM100 banknote out for circulation. Maybe this guy don't have access for any Internet or don't know how to find any information using Internet.

The theme of this current RM100 is "Wawasan 2020" (Vision 2020) reflects Malaysia's economic development and achievement towards a fully developed country. For the RM100 denomination, the background motif depicts the manufacturing sector. This is represented by a car production line, next to which is shown a close-up of a Proton car engine. The centre of the note depicts a gear wheel and cam-patterns from the side and above everything in rotation. The new series also use RM as the currency symbol for the Malaysian Ringgit.

Here is the question asked by the Star Newspaper reader:

LAST Thursday I withdrew some money from a commercial bank in Petaling Jaya and later, I deposited the entire sum in another bank in the same vicinity. The teller in the receiving bank detected a forged RM100 note from the bundle. This was confirmed by an officer in the bank who had the note duly endorsed “FORGED” in bold letters and returned it to me. I was advised to contact the first bank. When I complained to the teller in the first bank, she replaced the forged note with two RM50 bills without any question.

I have heard of RM50 counterfeit notes, but this is the first time I have come across a fake RM100 bill. The public is at a loss as to where to look for the flaw in the security features in the RM100 bill, whether in the security thread, watermark or metallic strip.

Perhaps Bank Negara can advise.

S. SUNDARESON, Petaling Jaya.

To Sundareson, you can easily recognise genuine Malaysian notes by their security features which are easily visible but you need to look carefully to differentiate the genuine notes from the counterfeits. Here are the easiest way to check:

• Watermark.

The shaded watermark can be recognised by tints that are lighter or darker than the surrounding paper. This watermark portrait which has a three-dimensional effect appears soft and shady without sharp outlines. At the base of the watermark, the numeral 100 is clearly visible.

• Micro Lettering's.

In this tactile rectangle, the micro-lettering's with the text RM100 are all legible under a magnifying glass and collectively form the word "BNM" if viewed from a distance.

• Security Thread.

The thread is embedded in the paper and appears on the reverse side of the note as a silver coloured dotted line . When the note is held against the light, it is seen as a continuous dark coloured line and the repeated text BNM RM100 can be read. When viewed under ultra-violet light, the thread is seen in various changing colours known as the "rainbow effect".

• PEAK (Printed and Embossed Anticopy Key)Square.

When changing the angle of view by shifting the note, the numeral 100 will be revealed in the centre of the PEAK® square. The whole square will glow under ultra-violet light. When held against the light, three open spaces on the obverse side will register perfectly with equal printed markings on the reverse side.

You can read more about RM100 security features in BNM official website but this for features are the easiest way to check for fake RM100 notes. Most of the time people received fakes notes because they don't check the money when they received it. For further information about the security features of Malaysian notes, you can go to any Bank Negara Malaysia branch and asked them for info pamphlets. If you received any fake notes, please don't used it because using it means you intended to circulated fake notes and it is an offence. Members of the public should immediately inform either Bank Negara Malaysia or the Police if they come into contact with Malaysian notes suspected of being counterfeit.

Wish this information will be helpful to everyone. Any of you received any fake notes recently?

Source: Bank Negara Malaysia, Malaysia Star Newspaper.

For Malaysia new series of RM100 banknotes, you can read my tips on this post;

How to check fake new RM100 notes.

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Hong Kong New 2010 Banknote Series

On Tuesday, The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and the three note issuing banks announced the issue of the 2010 new series Hong Kong banknotes. The new series Hong Kong banknotes in $1,000 and $500 denominations, with advanced security features, will go into circulation in the last quarter of 2010 and early 2011. All existing banknotes continue to be legal tender. They will continue to circulate along the new banknotes and will be gradually withdrawn from circulation when they become unfit for circulation. Hong Kong 100, 50, 20 dollars notes has been released on 22 July 2011.

Photo by news.gov.hk: New Hong Kong 1000 dollars notes.

The new banknotes have been approved by the Hong Kong Financial Secretary and are printed by Hong Kong Note Printing Limited. The designs of the notes are individual note issuing banks’ responsibilities. The note issuing banks are:

• Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited
• The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited
• Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited)

Consistent with the current series, the new series will consist of five denominations, each adopting the same colour scheme. The designs of HK$1,000 and HK$500 were unveiled today, and these two denominations will be put into circulation in the last quarter of 2010 and early 2011 respectively. Further public announcements will be made nearer the time when the new notes are to be put into circulation. The design of the remaining three denominations, HK$100, HK$50 and HK$20, will be unveiled around the middle of next year.

Photo by HKMA: New Hong Kong $500 dollars notes.

Photo by HKMA: New Hong Kong $1000 dollars notes.

The new banknotes have incorporated state-of-the-art security features, the locations of which will be the same across all five denominations. The five more important key features are:

• Dynamic Colour-changing Pattern — colour shifting between green and gold with a shimmering horizontal bar seen to be rolling up and down when the note is tilted.
• Colour-changing Windowed Metallic Thread — colour shifting between magenta and green and the “H” and “K” on the thread are made up of microtext.
• Standardised Enhanced Watermark — comprising a multi-tonal watermark of a bauhinia flower and highlight watermark of the denomination numeral and dot pattern, a standardised design for the three note-issuing banks.
• Fluorescent See-through Pattern — perfect registration of the patterns on the front and back, with two fluorescent colours visible under ultraviolet light.
• Fluorescent Serial Number — the vertical serial number is fluorescent red under ultraviolet light.

People with visual impairments will find the new banknotes easier to use as Braille and tactile lines have been added to help them differentiate the denominations. A new note measuring template, sponsored by the HKMA and the three note-issuing banks, will be made available through voluntary agencies serving the visually impaired community.

"For the past 6 years Hong Kong has seen a continuous decrease in counterfeit rate. Currently there is less than 1 piece of fake note in every 1 million pieces of notes in circulation. We should not be complacent and must ensure that we are staying ahead of counterfeiters. There is a need to revamp the design of our banknotes and introduce latest available security features to minimise the risk of being counterfeited," said Mr Norman Chan, Chief Executive of the HKMA.

Photo by news.gov.hk: HKMA Chief Executive Norman Chan unveil new Hong Kong notes.

"We have used state-of-the-art security designs and also plate-making and printing technology to enhance the anti-counterfeiting capability and recognisability of the new notes. The new notes also incorporates enhanced accessibility features to facilitate visually impaired people to differentiate the denominations," Mr Chan added.

The HKMA will launch an extensive education programme to raise public awareness of the new banknotes. Seminars will be conducted for banks, retailers and money changers; and special outreach seminars will be arranged for centres for the elderly and people with visual impairments. Exhibitions will be held in different districts in Hong Kong to let people view and feel the new banknotes before the notes go into circulation (see schedule of exhibitions at Annex). An interactive online-learning programme is available on the HKMA website at http://www.hkma.gov.hk, and leaflets illustrating the new security features are available to the public at the HKMA office, branches of the note-issuing banks and District Offices.

Source: Hong Kong Monetary Authority, news.gov.hk.

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Beware Mudah.my phishing email

I just want to alert everyone who are using mudah.my ads services of phishing email I have received asking for updating information within 24 hours. If not you will not be allowed to used mudah.my ads services. Please beware it is a phishing email and don't click on the link. Phishing is the criminally fraudulent process of attempting to acquire sensitive information such as user names, passwords and credit card details by masquerading as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication. Communications purporting to be from popular social web sites, auction sites, online payment processors or IT administrators are commonly used to lure the unsuspecting public.

Here is how the email look like:

from: notice@mudah.my
Subject: Action required.

Dear Mudah user,
Due to recent fraud attempts we require you to confirm your personal details.Please click the link below to confirm your details.If your information is not updated within 24 hours your ads will be deleted and you will not be allowed to use www.mudah.my in any way.
Click here to confirm your account
The link will riderect you to:
http://mudahmyy.voila.net/t3i.......3v5.html

Checking the whois record of this mudah.my phishing website not relating to any Mudah.my companies. Its under Nordnet, a company based in France.

Registrant:
(NNR-france719)
France Telecom Scr
48, Rue Camille Desmoulins
92791 Issy Les Moulineaux
FR
Phone:

Registrar....: Nordnet
Web..........: http://www.nordnet.net
Whois........: whois.nordnet.net

Domain Name: voila.net


Administrative Contact:
Contact Administratif (NNR-france373) admin@domaine.wanadoo.com
France Telecom Scr
48, Rue Camille Desmoulins
92791 Issy Les Moulineaux
FR
Phone: +33.158885349 Fax: +33.158887580

Technical Contact:
Contact Technique (NNR-france681) dop.tech@domaine.wanadoo.com
France Telecom Scr
48, Rue Camille Desmoulins
92791 Issy Les Moulineaux
FR
Phone: +33.497128733 Fax: +33.497128501

Billing Contact:
Contact De Facturation (NNR-wanado95) billing@domaine.wanadoo.com
France Telecom Scr
48 Rue Camille Desmoulins
92791 Issy Les Moulineaux
FR
Phone: +33.158885349 Fax: +33.158887580

Please help spread this story to all your friends and family who has been using Mudah.my services.

PS: I am also received an email with Viagra selling link from one of Malaysian coin blogger in my link. Anyone received the similar email?

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Selling online is easy

I meet one old guy who doing his selling in his sons shop recently. He told me that he has an online shop in eBay. He just started his online sale and saying how easy it is to sell online. He was afraid to sell his item online before because he don't know what to do. He don't know how to promote his sale page. Its a typical Malaysian mind sets when we were talking about online shop. Most Malaysian buyer also thinking that every eBay seller doing their business 24/7, none stop.

I had been selling online for my banknote and coin collection since 2003. You just need a little bit knowledge about Internet and you must know where do you want to sell your item. I have been starting with lelong.com.my and now with mudah.my. Nowadays, most seller like to put their item on eBay.my. Many people run away from lelong since so many fake items in their website on sale. Establish trust will have to take more time online then what it will take offline.

Other then that, you need to know a little bit of how to take a good picture of your items. Some people used camera, scanner or even your normal hand phone camera to take that clear picture for your potential buyer. I am just using my 5 years old Nikon Coolpix 7600 Compact Digital Camera to take my macro shot now. Some old coins will look dull using a scanner. Most of my picture still not perfect but so far most of my blog visitor come from my pictures.

Most of the time, my online sale end up to be offline sale because Malaysian afraid of a fraudster who doesn't send their item after make their payment. Some giving excuse not believing Poslaju (Malaysia premier courier service provider) as a reason to meet offline. I have been using Poslaju (not Posdaftar, Pos Express etc) since 2003 and they never failed to deliver my items so far. I don't mind meeting my customer but meeting up means wasting both our time and a little bit cost on money (Petrol). You should be saving a little bit money by buying online not paying more then your offline buying.

Trying to sell anything online is not easy but not that hard to do. Its not easy since we cannot communicate face to face with our buyer. Like most sells whether offline or online, most people will just asked and end up not buying your item. I cannot see my customer exact face and see what they want. I cannot create a communication since most of them just send me a short sms, asking if my item is available for sell or asking for a discount on my item. Most of the times when I asked them what do they need, my customer will flea away. Maybe, thinking that I mad at them asking so many question without buying any. I don't mind your question, as long as its not involved cost to me. I will try my best to answer them.

Do you sell anything online lately?

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Mother Teresa 1oz €200 Gold Proof

French Mint or Monnaie de Paris have been issuing this Mother Teresa 1oz €200 Gold Proof this month and look like all 500 pieces has been sold out. Monnaie de Paris is issuing this coin based on the centenary of the birth of Mother Teresa. An Albanian born Indian nun, winner of the 1979 Nobel Peace Prize and beatified by Pope John-Paul II in 2003, Mother Teresa has left an unquestionable legacy thanks to her selfless acts for young people and those who are oppressed the most.

The obverse of the coin shows a scene of Mother Teresa carrying a child, surrounded by the sentence "In our house there is always a bed ready for one more child". The characteristic hair band of Missionaries of Charity, the order of Mother Teresa, separates the coin between the picture and the RF legal inscription. On the reverse, in front of a background representing the crownd, is an image of Mother Teresa and Pope John-Paul II, surrounded by the text "Centenaire de la naissance de Mère Teresa".

Technical Specifications:

Artist: Atelier de Gravure
Weight: 1 oz
Diameter: 37 mm
Mintage: 500
Metal: Gold
Quality: Proof
Item can be viewed at Monnaie de Paris.

Mother Teresa or Agnesë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu, (26 August 1910 – 5 September 1997), was an Albanian Catholic nun with Indian citizenship who founded the Missionaries of Charity in Kolkata (Calcutta), India in 1950. By the 1970s, she was internationally famed as a humanitarian and advocate for the poor and helpless, due in part to a documentary and book Something Beautiful for God by Malcolm Muggeridge. She won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 and India's highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna, in 1980 for her humanitarian work.

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New India Rupee Symbol

On Thursday, India unveiled a symbol for its rupee currency that it hopes will become as globally recognised as signs for the dollar, the yen, the pound and the euro. The rupee is currently referred to by the abbreviations "Rs", "Re" or "INR", though it remains uncertain whether the new symbol will be widely taken up. Udaya Kumar, a post-graduate student at the Indian Institute of Technology, submitted the design which beat 3,000 other entries in a national competition to win a cash prize of 250,000 rupees (5,350 dollars).

Photo by Getty images: Udaya Kumar and his winning design.

Speaking to the Indian news website Rediff.com Udaya Kumar said:
"My design is based on the tricolour, with two lines at the top and white space in between. I wanted the symbol for the rupee to represent the Indian flag. It is a perfect blend of Indian and Roman letters: a capital 'R' and Devanagari 'ra' which represents rupiya, to appeal to international audiences and Indian audiences."

"This establishes the arrival of the Indian currency as a robust currency on an international platform and I think every Indian should be proud about it," Ambika Soni, the minister for information, told reporters.

"Once accepted, it will stand clear from the clutter of currencies that call themselves rupee or the rupiah," India's Telegraph reported.

The government plans to introduce the symbol on computers shortly and to have it in regular international use within two years. India's economy has experienced rapid growth since liberalisation reforms in the early 1990s reduced controls on foreign trade and investment, and the country is widely forecast to become a global superpower. The Indian government predicts the economy will grow by 8.5 percent this fiscal year and should hit double-digit expansion within five years.

Source: Telegraph.co.uk, Rediff.com, AFP.

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1 sen 1976 now RM1000?

I am looking for an old newspaper article saying that "duit 1 sen 1976 kini RM1000" (1 sen 1976 now RM1000). I saw the old newspaper cutting in someone blog while searching for information regarding Malaysia coin. I received an email by my reader today asking about Malaysia 1 sen 1976. She don't chat much with me what she want by showing me the picture of her coins but the newspaper cutting make me thinking that most Malaysian received wrong information about their money trough newspaper and Internet.

For anyone who still don't know, only bronze variety for this coin is rare and have a high value. Normal copper clad steel only prize at least RM3 for uncirculated. Its not easy to get them and not easy to spot bronze coin. Someone suggest using magnet to differentiate copper clad steel from bronze. You just put together the 1 sen 1976 coin and look for coin that not attach for that magnet and that mean it is a bronze variety.

Later in the evening I received a sms asking me about Malaysia RM500 notes signed by the late Ismail Mohd. Ali. I don't know such banknote exist and if it exist, that banknote most probably a fake or just some funny money. Its the same as Malaysia sa-puloh ringgit with agong watermark. The actual item is Malaysia se-puloh ringgit with 5th series 10 ringgit design and it came with agong watermark. But the only problem is that notes is a replica. It maybe intended for Bomoh or nombor ekor ritual. Many middle men who is having a rich quick scheme syndrome will sms or calling you in the middle of the night if you post any sa-puloh ringgit for sale.


To all newspaper reporter in Malaysia who is doing a report about Malaysia money, please do check your information first. Bank Negara Malaysia will be glad to help you. You can also interview any coin dealer in Kuala Lumpur. If you don't know to find one, you can search my blog for coin dealer list, it will provide you with their address and phone number. Please do your research before you are saying "duit 1 sen 1976 kini RM1000".

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This blog only for collector

Today, I received a weird called from a guy with a weird accent. I suspect that guy is from Bank Negara Malaysia. A guy called me asking almost the same question early this year. He is asking why do I sell my RM50 Ali Abul Hassan side signature banknote at a different price then the face value and if I said the 50 ringgit is scarce, why do I sell my Seribu Ringgit 5th series at RM2100? Weird person with a weird question. To anyone who doesn't collect banknote, at least you must know that we collector, love to collect anything that is rare in currency. Can you get me RM50 Ali Abul Hassan side signature banknote for RM50?


I am not just selling, I am also a buyer. I sell my collection to collect money to upgrade my collection. I am not someone who live depending on collection sales as my main source of income. I have other job to do. Some of Malaysian buyer like to called or sms me at 2am in the morning. Thinking that I am working 24 hours a day. When they don't received my reply in an instant, some will get mad and saying I don't want to make business with them. Like I don't need to sleep and get my rest.

You can see that some of my item is still online without people buying it because I get the item at a high price. I don't mind waiting as long as I can get my money back. I am not just pay for the item. Sometimes, I need to pay for the toll cost, parking fee, petrol cost, posting etc. If you think buying and selling banknote like me can easily became a millionaire, please think again. Most of the payment i received from my sell item will go to my new collection or hunting trip.

Some people who sell their item to me asking why do I pay them less then 50% from market value? It is legal for me to offer anything to you and it is also legal for you to turn it down. I am not forcing you to sell your item to me. Firstly, not everything is a hot item even the market value is very high. If I have trouble selling that item. How do I buy new item? In order to price it to sell, I have to buy it for less than the sales price to cover my costs plus profit. As I always suggested to all my reader, send me the clear picture of your item, I will try my best to find its value (free no extra cost) and you sell them yourself. But please remember, I am not an expert. I am just a normal collector like you but I like to share what I read and know.

To Bank Negara Malaysia staff who keep trying to impersonate people to asked me question. Please be professional, called and introduced yourself. Told me what wrong doing have I done? My sale item is just for collector who can appreciate the value of its money. I am not doing any scam or cheating people their money.

Anyone having the same problem like me?

PS: Thanks to all my buyer who have been supporting me for over 8 years.

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British North Borneo coin Story

Do you know, Sabah once called North Borneo and Kota Kinabalu once called Jesselton? The story of North Borneo started when Alfred Dent taking control of the lands from Austro-Hungarian Empire in Hong Kong, Baron Von Overbeck in 1880. In July 1881, Alfred Dent and his brother formed the British North Borneo Provisional Association Ltd and obtained an official Royal Charter November 1 the same year. In May 1882, the North Borneo Chartered Company replaced the Provisional Association. Sir Rutherford Alcock became the first President, and Alfred Dent became Managing Director.

Photo: a map of British North Borneo.

Photo: Aerial view of Jesselton or Kota Kinabalu in 1930.

In spite of some diplomatic protests by the Dutch, Spanish and Sarawak governments, the North Borneo Chartered Company proceeded to organize settlement and administration of the territory. The company subsequently acquired further sovereign and territorial rights from the sultan of Brunei, expanding the territory under control to the Putatan river (May 1884), the Padas district (November 1884), the Kawang river (February 1885), the Mantanani Islands (April 1885), and additional minor Padas territories (March 1898).

Photo: King Edward VII (Prince of Wales at that time) on his visit to North Borneo in 1922.

Photo: Jesselton police station in 1930.

The Company established a foundation for economic growth in North Borneo by restoring peace to a land where piracy and tribal feuds had grown rampant. It abolished slavery and set up transport, health and education services for the people. Chinese immigrants were wooed to boost the small population of less than 100,000. The Chartered Company's system of administration was based on standard British colonial administration structures, with the land divided into Residencies, and sub-divided into Districts. Initially, there were only two Residencies: East Coast and West Coast, with Residents based at Sandakan and Jesselton respectively.

Photo: 25 cents coin reverse.

In 1881, British North Borneo Company issued copper coins in values of ½ cent and 1 cent. In 1903, British North Borneo Company started to issued cupro-nickel coins in value of 1 cent, 2½ cents and 5 cents. In 1929, the 25 cents silver coin is minted. Their coin minted by Ralph and Sons Limited (In 1879, the mint change its name to The Mint Birmingham Limited). At this moment, British North Borneo coins is one of the hot item in Malaysia coin market. I only realize it when I visit Amcorp Mall flea market recently, only a few seller sells this 25 cents silver coin.

Photo: 25 cents coin obverse.

Photo: 1/2 cents coin obverse.

The obverse of the coins shows the Coat-of-Arms of the British North Borneo Chartered Company consisting of a shield within which is a native boat with sails and a lion above. Above the shield is a pair of hands grasping a flagstaff. The shield is supported by two natives (Dayak tribe), the one o the left holds a native shield and the one on the right holds a native sword. Below the sheild is the company motto ” PERGO ET PERAGO” in latin(translate: I undertake and I accomplish) with the mint mark “H” below. Only 1/2 cent copper had a different obverse with only a shield within which is a native boat with sails and a lion above.

Source: Wikipedia, Book:Sabah history in picture by Johan M. Padiasan.

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Blessings of Strength 2010 gold coin

Royal Canadian Mint has been releasing a Bleesing of Strengh 2010 gold coin and will be available for shipping starting 21 July 2010. This unique scallop shaped coin brings together two of China’s most powerful symbols for strength; the tiger and the dragon, both encircling a precious pearl. Crafted in 99.999% pure gold with an eye-catching irregular shape. Only 1,388 of this coin will be produced.

On the reverse of the design, Dragon and Tiger are competing for the precious pearl on which is written the popular blessing proverb, "Be as strong and energetic as Dragon and Tiger."

The coin’s obverse depicts the D.G. Regina effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the fine gold 99999.

In China, blessings of strength abound in a multitude of ancient symbols and artistic expressions, many of which are beautifully represented on this scalloped coin of pure gold. A blessing of “strength” (li) in Chinese culture is traditionally associated with one’s physical and inner power to endure, to take the challenge and to overcome adversities in order to succeed in life. Throughout thousands of years, the dragon and tiger images have become symbols of strength, bravery and success.

Specifications:

Mintage: Limited to 1388 coins worldwide
Composition: 99.999% pure gold
Finish: proof
Weight (g): 10.4
Diameter (mm): 22.5
Edge: plain
Certificate: serialized
Face value: $150
Artist: Harvey Chan (reverse), Susanna Blunt (obverse)

You can visit Royal Canadian Mint for worldwide sale. Each coin is housed in a presentation box and illustrated box-shipper and also accompanied by a numbered Certificate of Authenticity.

Source: Royal Canadian Mint.

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