Every Malaysian, Singaporean and Brunei Numismatic Collectors have at least a copy of the Standard Catalogue of Malaysia-Singapore-Brunei Coins and Paper Money by Steven Tan. The 1st edition of the book was published in 1976 and the latest edition is the 21th edition. Steven Tan catalog is a must have for Malaysia coin collector.
For anyone who still don't know, Mr. Steven Tan is the Managing Director of International Stamp & Coin Sdn Bhd. He was born in Kuala Pilah, Negeri Sembilan in June 1938. Last year when I interview Mr. Steven Tan, He told that he started dealing in stamps since October 1960 and coins around 10 years later. He start dealing with stamps in a small way, doing part time business at home registered under the name "International Philatelic Agency". In 1969, he moved his business to central area at Medan Pasar, Kuala Lumpur.
He start to collect coins and banknotes in 1970's when a group of people come to meet him and asked his help to buy a coin collection of a men who has been passed away. They need the money for his funeral and he paid few hundreds ringgit for all his collection. He start to collect and sell coins and banknotes after that and changed the trading name to "International Stamp & Coin Sdn Bhd". In 1975, he moved his business to his own shop lot at Pertama Complex. I have written articles on how to go to International Stamp & Coin Sdn Bhd (ISC) here;Where is Steven Tan coin shop?
Today, people start to collect old edition of the Standard Catalogue of Malaysia-Singapore-Brunei Coins and Paper Money, some of the old catalogue already have a very good collectibles price. I am not aan avid collector of Steven Tan old edition books but every time there is a new edition comes out, I must buy it. Therefore, if I came across his old books in flea market at a very reasonable prices, I will buy it. For now, the collection that I have is a gift from Master Sifu Steven Tan and Sifu Dickson Niew.
For anyone who bought the 19th edition Steven Tan Standard Catalogue, you get the reprint of the 1st edition of Steven Tan Catalog, "Coin & paper money Catalogue of Malaysia-Singapore-Brunei (1845 to date)" that were published in 1976. The book is reprinted and were given as a souvenir for the purchase of the 19th Edition Standard Catalogue of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Coin & Paper Money. The book printed in black & white and covering the coins and paper money of the Straits Settlements, Malaya, Malaya and British Borneo, Malaysia, British North Borneo, Brunei, Sarawak and Singapore.
Here are some of the older editions that I have in my library:
-reprint.JPG "1st edition Coin & paper money Catalogue of Malaysia-Singapore-Brunei (1845 to date)-reprint")
Author: Steven Tan
Edition: 1 (reprint 2010), black & white
Publisher: International Stamp & Coin Agency, 1976
Length: 72 pages
Original Retail Price: RM7
Title: Coin & paper money Catalogue of Malaysia-Singapore-Brunei 1845-1977
Author: Steven Tan
Edition: 2, black & white
Publisher: International Stamp & Coin Agency, 1978
Length: 90 pages
Original Retail Price: RM9
Author: Steven Tan
Edition: 4, black & white
Publisher: International Stamp & Coin Agency, 1981
Length: 123 pages
Original Retail Price: RM17
Author: Steven Tan
Edition: 5, black & white
Publisher: International Stamp & Coin Agency, 1982
Length: 148 pages
Original Retail Price: RM19
Author: Steven Tan
Edition: 7, black & white
Publisher: International Stamp & Coin Agency, 1986
Length: 177 pages
Original Retail Price: RM22
Author: Steven Tan
Edition: 8, black & white
Publisher: International Stamp & Coin Agency, 1987
Length: 171 pages
Original Retail Price: RM22
Author: Steven Tan
Edition: 9, black & white
Publisher: International Stamp & Coin Agency, 1989
Length: 184 pages
Original Retail Price: RM25
Author: Steven Tan
Edition: 11, illustrated
Publisher: International Stamp & Coin Agency, 1991
Length: 187 pages
Original Retail Price: RM36
Author: Steven Tan
Edition: 14, illustrated
Publisher: International Stamp & Coin Agency, 2000
Length: 216 pages
Original Retail Price: RM48
Author: Steven Tan
Edition: 17, illustrated
Publisher: International Stamp & Coin Agency, 2005
Length: 274 pages
Original Retail Price: RM65
Author: Steven Tan
Edition: 18, illustrated
Publisher: International Stamp & Coin Agency, 2007
Length: 294 pages
Original Retail Price: RM68
Title: Standard Catalogue of Malaysia-Singapore-Brunei Coins and Paper Money
Author: Steven Tan
Edition: 19, illustrated
Publisher: International Stamp & Coin Agency, 2010
Length: 318 pages
Original Retail Price: RM78
You can read my review here: Steven Tan 19th edition Catalogue
Author: Steven Tan
Edition: 20, illustrated
Publisher: International Stamp & Coin Agency, 2012
Length: 356 pages
Original Retail Price: RM88
You can read my review here: Steven Tan 20th edition Catalogue
Author: Steven Tan
Edition: 21, illustrated
Publisher: International Stamp & Coin Agency, 2014
Length: 377 pages
Original Retail Price: RM93
You can read my review here: Steven Tan 21st edition Catalogue
