Pasar Warisan Seremban-Seremban Flea Market

Its been almost 3 years since my last visit to Pasar Warisan Seremban (Seremban Flea Market), article that I wrote below is in November 2013 (my 1st visit in 2010). Pasar Warisan Seremban or Pasar Karat Seremban is located along Jalan Utam Singh, Seremban. It operates every Sunday from 7.00 am to 5.00 pm. This flea market at Jalan Utam Singh has been opening since 1st May 2008. The previous Seremban flea market open at Jalan Lee Sam.

Today, I visit Pasar Warisan Seremban with Sifu Dickson Niew before we visit The Seremban old Currencies & Stamp Exhibition (Pameran Matawang & Setem Lama Seremban) at Palm Mall, Seremban.

The flea market is still held in the same place and some of the old sellers are still there, some new faces (since my last visit in 2013) can be seen selling coins and banknotes.

The weather this morning was cloudy, there are some sellers who are not selling because they do not want their stuff exposed to rain.

These are coins and banknotes sellers that we meet today at Pasar Warisan Seremban:

----------Below is my old post about Pasar Warisan Seremban---------

This is my first hunting trip at this place (11 July 2010) after reading about it in Fazil Numismatic Blog.

I am not very familiar with Seremban and not much detail about this flea market in the Internet but I manage to find it after asking people around (near Seremban) for about one hour. The easiest ways to find this place are to look for Pasar Besar Seremban, Bank Simpanan Nasional or Maybank in Seremban town. If you're asking about Jalan Utam Singh or Pasar Karat, u most probably will be end up like me, received almost similar answer "tak tahu" (Don't know). Look like most people in Seremban don't know that this flea market even exist. Parking is not a big problem since not many people coming to this flea market. This market is under Seremban Municipal Council jurisdiction and Sunday is a free parking day.

This market are selling various items such as handicrafts, antiques, pottery, used computer, old books, flowers, bonsai, dry food, decorations, wall paintings and traditional herbs at reasonable prices. I can only spotted 5 people selling coins and banknotes at this place. Most of them is selling their item at a higher price. Some even higher then Kuala Lumpur market price. Only 2 person selling their items at a reasonable price and some nice items for people who hunting for collection like me. I manage to find, Terengganu old tin coin (its fake but I get them in a cheap price, will post the story later), 50 half dollar King Edward VII coin and 5 dollars King George Vi banknote sold for RM180. I don't manage to buy that green 5 dollars banknote because at the time when I spot it, the seller busy talking with other customer.

Other then that, most of item sell in this place are Malaysia coins & banknotes and some world coins. Some sellers do sell their item at a high price without any chance of bargaining. This flea market is not as good as Penang or Butterworth but still a worth place to visit for your hunting trip. Its just one and half hour drive from Kuala Lumpur. I will most probably making another trip to this place. Anyone of you have been to this pasar karat (Flea market) before?

Source: Seremban Municipal Council, Fazil Numismatic

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1,300 double eagle gold coins found in SS Central America shipwreck

The Associated Press provide the first detailed inventory of a treasure trove being resurrected from an 1857 shipwreck at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean. The inventories, unsealed by a federal judge in Virginia late Wednesday, show that Odyssey Marine has brought up 43 solid gold bars, 1,300 $20 double eagle gold coins, and thousands more gold and silver coins.

The recovery effort at the SS Central America shipwreck, about 200 miles off the South Carolina coast, began in April and is expected to continue throughout the summer. The operation is being directed by a court-appointed receiver of an Ohio company that had been led by a treasure hunter-turned-fugitive named Tommy Thompson, who first found the Central America in 1988. He later became a fugitive when a warrant was issued for Thompson's arrest, after he failed to show up for several court hearings for a legal battle between him and a group of central Ohio investors who never saw a penny.

The new recovery operation was made possible after the court-appointed receiver awarded a contract to Tampa, Florida-based Odyssey Marine Exploration to conduct the recovery in hopes of bringing up more treasure and paying back investors.

Bob Evans, an Ohio scientist who was on both the original and current expeditions, said in a statement "the variety and quality of the coins being recovered is just astonishing."

He said the double eagles are just as "spectacular" as the ones recovered more than 25 years ago, but that the most recent recovery has resulted in a wider variety of coins.

"I have seen what I believe are several of the finest known examples," Evans said. "The coins date from 1823 to 1857 and represent a wonderful diversity of denominations and mints, a time capsule of virtually all the coins that were used in 1857."

It's unclear how much more gold is left in the Central America and estimates have varied wildly, with some saying there could have been up to 21 tons on the ship when it sank.

Odyssey Marine could not immediately provide an estimate of what the gold that has been recovered so far is worth, but it's easily in the millions, based on past sales of such items.

For instance, thousands of $10 and $20 gold coins sold by Odyssey Marine from the SS Republic, which sank off the southeastern U.S. in 1865, sold for an average of about $6,700 a coin.

That would mean the $10 and $20 gold coins recovered from the Central America so far could sell for up to $9 million, potentially more.

Gold bars vary in value depending on myriad factors. In 2000, Sotheby's estimated that gold bars recovered from the Central America between 1988 and 1991, which weighed up to 54 pounds, were worth between $8,000 and $250,000 each.

The inventories document what Odyssey Marine recovered at the shipwreck from the beginning of the operation on April 15 through June 15. An inventory of operations from the past month should be filed soon.

The SS Central America was in operation for four years during the California Gold Rush. It sailed into a hurricane in 1857 and sank in one of the worst maritime disasters in American history; 425 people were killed and thousands of pounds of gold sank with it, contributing to an economic panic.

Source: ABC News

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Where to buy silver in Malaysia

I have received many email from friends abroad who asked "Where to buy silver in Malaysia". Most of them come to Malaysia for a holiday and plan to buy either silver bullion, coins or items made of silver.

Some wanted to buy it for a keepsake and some who want to buy it as an investment or collection. I always recommend them to go to Kuala Lumpur since you have many options when you come here compare to other states in Malaysia.

You can also visit Kuala Lumpur Top 5 must visit place that has to do with the numismatic.

Most of my foreign friends want to buy silver that related to Malaysia or Malaysia bullion coins.

Malaysia has no official silver bullion coins issued by Central Bank of Malaysia (Bank Negara Malaysia), such as the Canadian Maple Leaf bullion coins or American Eagle Silver Bullion Coins issued by their respective countries Mint.

They are no Kijang Emas Silver bullion coins produced by Kilang Wang Shah Alam.

Malaysia Mint

There's also some friends telling me that they want to visit Malaysia mint personally to buy silver coins there because they heard that KL Mint is open for public.

For your information, the only Mint in Malaysia today producing Malaysia commemorative coins is Kilang Wang Bank Negara in Shah Alam, owned by Bank Negara Malaysia (Malaysia Central Bank). They don't open their mint for Public visit and the story about a coin shop at the Mint is an old story when the Mint is under Royal Mint Malaysia. Bank Negara Malaysia has take back the Kilang Wang in 2009.

You cannot buy silver coins directly from Malaysia Mint.

Another story about KL Mint open in 2011 is just a myth, the KL Mint project has never been completed.

Sasana Kijang Bank Negara Gift Shop

You may be able to buy Silver Commemorative coins directly through BNM by visiting Sasana Kijang at Jalan Dato Onn, Kuala Lumpur if they still have stock available for sale.

There is a small gift shop near Sasana Kijang Cafe, you cannot missed it since the shop is near the entry and lift to Sasana Kijang Numismatic Gallery. In the gift shop, you can buy Malaysia Numismatic books, Silver Commemorative coins, Malaysia Coincards and also T-Shirt, Necklaces, bracelets, bookmark. You also get to view gold leaf banknotes on display in the shop.

If you cannot buy any Malaysia silver commemorative coins at the gift shop, you can always visit Bank Negara Money Museum on the 2nd floor.

You can read about Sasana Kijang in my post; Sasana Kijang location.


Malaysia Silver Bullion Dealer

Most of the Malaysia Silver Bullion Dealer are operating online but you can still visit their shop. I will write a list about Malaysia Bullion dealers later.

One Dealer that I always recommend is Nubex (NUSANTARA BULLION EXCHANGE) at Metropolitan Commerce Square, Damansara Perdana in Petaling Jaya. You can go to their website nubex.com.my and check their bullion prices.

Most dealer in Malaysia sell gold bars, gold bullion coins, silver bars, silver bullion coins, silver commemorative coins, gold dinar, dirham coins and gold jewellery.

Malaysia Coin Dealer

The easiest way to buy Malaysia silver commemorative coins is by visiting any coin dealer that are close to where you stay. You can only buy direct from Bank Negara Malaysia if they release a new commemorative coins.

You can find my Malaysia Coin dealer list in my post; Coin dealer in Malaysia.

Prices they offer are varied, and I recommend 4 coins dealers that I frequently visit as the top 4 in that post.

If you're looking for a particular Malaysia silver coins, I suggest you called or email them first before you make a visit to their shop.

Some shop also have a "special" trading hours, you better contact them to asked if they open on that particular day or time you're planning to go to that places.

Malaysia Antique shop
There are also shops selling antiques in Malaysia which sell silverware, silver coins and bullions.

At this moment I do not have a list of antique shops but one example is PJ Auctioneers Sdn Bhd at Amcorp Mall in Petaling Jaya.

You can find coins, banknotes, proof coins, gold coins, silver coins, Bullions, stamps, first day covers, telephone cards, vintage furniture and almost any collectibles.

Don't be shy to asked them what you're looking for because most of the precious items are not on display, you need to ask if they have it for sale.

Malaysia Flea Market

There are many flea market that operates in Malaysia. you can see some of them through this blog label "Flea Market".

I usually recommend Amcorp Mall Flea Market if you travel to Kuala Lumpur. On Sunday, you will find almost all coin dealer in Kuala Lumpur in this flea market.

Don't expect the prices will be cheaper when you go buying silver coins in Malaysia Flea Market. Most of time, you will only find normal price offered by the coin dealers there.

Buying Bullion in Bank

Maybank and UOB Bank are also offering bullion for sales on their premises but the problem is they are always out of stock and not all premises making the sales. You can always try to go to any Bank Maybank or UOB bank branch near your hotel to ask if you can buy any bullion available. Their price are according to daily updated prices that can be found in their websites.

Gold Jewellery Shop

Gold jewellery shop also have silver bars and bullion for sale because people sell it to them or they have stock available. One thing that make it less interesting to buy silver in Malaysia jewellery shop is that their price sometimes a bit higher then other alternative and if you want to sell to them, Prices will be cut between 10% to 30% from the current price.

Gold Silver Limit

When you buy or bring gold and silver into Malaysia, always remember that you need to declare it to Bank Negara Malaysia if yours gold and silver are over USD$10,000 in value. You can read more about it in my post; How much gold silver can I bring into Malaysia.

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Mariwasa Kraftangan visit with KWN

Yesterday (18 December 2012), I have a chance to visit Mariwasa Kraftangan after receiving an invitation from Dato' Sharuddin Yusof (Dato' Shah), Kelab Warisan Numismatik (KWN) President. A trip to a place that mint coins or print banknotes is one of the activities that have been targeted by the newly form numismatic club.

Eventhough Mariwasa Kraftangan operation or business are more on premium giftware, medals and uniform accesories, they do mint Malaysia commemorative coins during Malaysia Royal Mint era. If any of you remember about Thomas cup commemorative coin, the mint is Mariwasa Kraftangan. Mariwasa Kraftangan also mint Kelantan gold dinar and their own dinar.

I knew, Dato' Shah has been trying to plan a group visit to Bank Negara Mint at Shah Alam but BNM don't allowed public to visit. His successful effort to bring KWN members to the mint is already something that can be given a salute of honour.

The group visit start at Kuala Kangsar riverside resort around 1.00pm with a briefing by Dato' Shah about thing that we cannot do and what we cannot bring in the Mariwasa Kraftangan. Phone with camera, camera and video camera are things that are prohibited to bring in their premises.

In his briefing, Dato' Shah said he will try his best to bring KWN members to BNM Shah Alam mint in the future. Early next year, they already planned a numismatic exhibition in Kuantan and an auction for KWN members. They are also few other activities that I am not sure I can share it in here. In my opinion, KWN will be the most active Malaysia numismatic society in 2013 by looking at what they had been planned.

We start to convoy together to Mariwasa Kraftangan at Kawasan Perusahaan Kuala Kangsar around 1.50pm and arrive at the destination at around 2.00pm. When we arrived, En. Nasimudin already wait at the gate and brief us about the company history and operation.

At around 2.30pm, their operation manager, En. Wahab Wahid become our tour guide and bring us to all the operation rooms in their factory. En. Wahab is the person in-charge of the machines operation in their premises. He have a very vast knowledge about how coins are made. I don't have a chance to hear all his explanation about the factory machine and operation because I had been appointed as a cameramen. Mariwasa Kraftangan don't have a big machines like BNM mint but they are well known for producing a beautiful Malaysia coins before.

Today, we don't have a chance to see an actual coin making process since most of the job done by Mariwasa are more on medal. The process are almost the same as coin making but with less work done on the metal.

Here are some photo's and video of the Grabener Coin Press machine in action:

Video Mariwasa Kraftangan Grabener coin press machine in operation:

Thank you to Dato' Shah for the opportunity to join KWN for a visit to Mariwasa Kraftangan today. Its a good experience for me and especially the members of KWN who have a chance to join today visit.

For more photo's of the visit, you can go to my Facebook page album; Mariwasa Kraftangan visit with KWN.

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Melaka Stamp Coin Fair October 2012

Just a short update about Melaka Stamp Coin Fair October 2012. Another fair will be held at Jonker Walk Hainan Associates by Boson Goh. You can contact him personally at 016-6691811 to ask about the event. This is one of the stamp, banknote & coin fair that are starting to gain attention from Malaysia numismatic community that live near Melaka. I wish I can go but I am working on that day. To anyone who are planning to go to this fair, enjoy your visit. Hopefully you can find what you're hunting for in Melaka stamp, banknote & coin fair.

Place:
Malacca Jonker Walk Hainan Associates,
115, Jalan Hang Jebat, 75200 Melaka.
Date: 13-14 October 2012

Time: 10am to 7pm.
Sale: Sell rare coin, rare banknote, stamp & antique.
Organizer: Boson Goh (016-6691811)

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65 list of World Money Museum

Malaysia is not the only country in the world with a money museum to attract tourist and numismatic collectors around the world. They're at least 65 money museum with many still have not listed in this list. Most of the museum are showcasing their own currency and their history as the main thing to be displayed in the museum. Its not easy to set up a museum with a lot of collection and some of it are very valuable. Most of the museum in this list are own by that country central bank. Numismatic museum is a must visit place for a numismatic collector when you visit that country. Sadly, some money museum like Sasana Kijang in Malaysia don't have many people visiting them. Maybe because Malaysian don't want to learn about their money history. In the museum, we can see a lot of money that has been used in Malaysia before Malaysia even exist. They're a lot of old Malay sultanate coins that some of you might had not seen before in your life.

65 list of World Money Museum:

• Argentina-Casa de Moneda de la República Argentina
• Armenia-History Museum of Armenia
• Austria-Kunsthistorisches Museum
• Bahrain-Central Bank of Bahrain Currency Museum
• Belgium-National Bank of Belgium Museum
• Brazil-Central Bank Museum
• Brazil-National Historical Museum
• Brazil-Banco do Brasil's Cultural Center
• Canada-Currency Museum Bank of Canada
• China-China Numismatic Museum
• China-Shanghai Museum
• Colombia-Casa de Moneda de Colombia
• Costa Rica-Numismatic Museum
• Cuba-Numismatic Museum
• Denmark-National Museum of Denmark
• France-Cabinet des Médailles,
• France-Bibliothèque nationale de France
• France-Monnaie de Paris
• Germany-Bode Museum, Museumsinsel
• Germany-Münzkabinett im Residenzschloss
• Germany-Münzkabinett Historisches Museum Frankfurt
• Germany-Oriental Coin Cabinet Jena
• Greece-Numismatic Museum of Athens
• India-National Museum, New Delhi
• India-Reserve Bank of India Museum
• Indonesia-Museum Bank Indonesia
• Indonesia-Museum Uang Purbalingga
• Italy-Florence Numismatic Museum-
• Italy-National Archaeological Museum in Florence
• Italy-Lucca Mint/Zecca di Lucca
• Italy-Naples National Archaeological Museum
• Italy-National Museum of Rome Crypta Balbi/Museo Nazionale Romano: Crypta Balbi
• Italy-Banca d'Italia Museo della Moneta
• Italy-Vatican Museums Philatelic and Numismatic Museum
• Japan-Bank of Japan Money Museum BOJ-IMES
• Macedonia-Narodna Banka na Republika Makedonija
• Malaysia-Bank Negara Malaysia Museum and Art Gallery
• Malaysia-Maybank Money museum
• Mexico-Casa de Moneda de México
• Paraguay-Numismatica Independencia
• Philippines-Museo ng Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas
• Portugal-Museu Numismático Português
• Qatar-Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani Museum
• Russia-Hermitage Museum
• Serbia-National Bank of Serbia (Народна Банка Србије)
• Singapore-Singapore Coins and Notes Museum
• Spain-Museo Casa de la Moneda
• Spain-Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya
• South Africa-Absa Money Museum
• Suriname-Numismatic Museum of the Centrale Bank van Suriname
• Sweden-Royal Coin Cabinet
• Sweden-Uppsala University Coin Cabinet
• Switzerland-Money Museum
• Thailand-Bangkok Pavilion of Regalia, Royal Decorations and Coinse-museum
• Ukraine-Odessa Numismatics Museum
• Ukraine-Feodosia Money Museum
• United Kingdom-Fitzwilliam Museum
• United Kingdom-Glasgow Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery
• United Kingdom-Barbour Institute of Fine Arts, Birmingham University
• United Kingdom-London British Museum Department of Coins and Medals
• United Kingdom-Manchester Museum
• United Kingdom-Ashmolean Museum
• United States-American Numismatic Association Money Museum
• United States-National Numismatic Collection (NNC)
• United States-Smithsonian National Museum of American History

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Malacca Stamp Coin Fair May 2012

Just a short update about an event, Malacca Stamp & Coin Fair is on 19 until 20 May 2012. The event will be held at Malacca Jonker Walk Hainan Associates from 10am until 7pm. For more information about the Malacca Stamp & Coin Fair 2012, you can contact the organizer Boson Goh phone number 016-6691811. No information were given by the organizer about dealers that will be coming on this event but from the previous fair, this is an event that you shouldn't missed if you're from south of Malaysia. All the big time dealers will normally coming to this event.

Place:
Malacca Jonker Walk Hainan Associates,
115, Jalan Hang Jebat, 75200 Melaka.
Date: 19-20 May 2012

Time: 10am to 7pm.
Sale: coin, banknote, stamp and antiques.
Organizer: Boson Goh (016-6691811)

If any of you have any numismatic event around your place that need some promotion, you can contact me at lunaticg[@]gmail.com.

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