From early 1400' until well past the middle of the 19th. century,
tin ingots in a variety of shapes and sizes were used as money on the west coast of the Malay Peninsula (Shaw & Kassim, 1971).
THE MALAY ARCHIPELAGO

Click map for bigger version at my Obsolete Tin Currency blog.

The use of tin currencies issued by the Malay Peninsula was not restricted to areas in the peninsula but extends to a large area in the Malay Archipelago. Although the term Malay Archipelago is widely used, there is no official definition for this area. The widely accepted definition would include Malaysia (the Malay Peninsula, including southern Thailand that connects the Peninsula to the Asian mainland), Brunei, Singapore, Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan, Sulawesi and islands in the waters surrounded by these large islands. (Source - Bank Negara Malaysia, 1995. Pameran Matawang Perdagangan Kepulauan Melayu (18 Mei - 14 Jun 1995) Unit Muzium Matawang, Bank Negara Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, p. 9.)

LIST OF KNOWN FORMS OF ANIMAL CURRENCY / ANIMAL MONEY


Tortoise - Kura Kura (Listed) [RRR]
Crocodile - Buaya (Listed) [RRR]
Lizard - Cicak (Known to exist) [RRRR]
Snake - Ular (Known to exist) [RRRR]
Frog - Katak (Known to exist) [RRRR]

Elephant (Listed) [RRR]
Goat - Kambing (Listed) [RRRR]
Rabbit - Arnab (?)

Cockerel - Ayam (Listed) [RRR]
Bird - Burung (Various types) (Listed) [RRR]

Grasshopper - Belalang (Listed) [RRRR]
Other Insects - Serangga (Several types) (Known to exist) [RRRR]

Fish - Ikan (Various types) (Listed) [RRR]
Sea Horse - Kuda Laut (Known to exist) [RRRR]
Crab - Ketam (Known to exist) [RRRR]
Lobster - Udang Kara (Known to exist) [RRRR]
Sea Shell - Siput (Known to exist) [RRR]

Dragon - Naga (Known to exist) [RRRR]
Sea-Serpent - Naga laut (Known to exist) [RRRR]

Note:
Listed = in the Encyclopaedia of the Coins of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei 1400 - 1967
Known to exist = in author's collection and/or known to exist by author
? = Known item in bad condition to determine with certainty
Rarity is based on author's grading.
DEGREE OF SCARCITY

S - Scarce
R - Rare
RR - Very Rare
RRR - Extremely Rare
RRRR - Highest state of rarity
UNIQUE - Only one piece known to exist

Friday, May 28, 2010

ANIMAL CURRENCY LISTED IN SARAN SINGH'S ENCYCLOPAEDIA - PART III OF III

My comments on the items are based on my personal views and knowledge.

d. Grasshopper (Belalang)


SS62
(Also presented as Item 3 in Plate 3 of Tin 'Hat' and Animal Money by Shaw and Kassim, 1970)
Tin ingots in the shapes of "insects" are extremely rare. The grasshopper here is with 4 legs instead of six.

Weight: 369 grammes
Length: 167 mm
Height: 50 mm
Width: 25 mm
Composition: Tin
Scarcity: RRR (Extremely Rare)

Photo Credit: Muzium Negara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Present Ownership and Location of Item: Most likely in the collection of Muzium Negara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia


SS63
An item similar to SS62.

Weight: 390.4 grammes
Length: 165 mm
Height: 55 mm
Width: 25 mm
Composition: Tin
Scarcity: RRR (Extremely Rare)

Photo Credit: Muzium Negara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Present Ownership and Location of Item: Most likely in the collection of Muzium Negara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia


SS64
(Also presented as Item 1 in Plate 2 and Item 4 in Plate 3 of Tin 'Hat' and Animal Money by Shaw and Kassim, 1970)
An item such as this is known to have been found outside Perak.

Weight: 483.2 grammes
Length: 160 mm
Height: 50 mm
Width: 52 mm
Composition: Tin
Scarcity: RRR (Extremely Rare)

Photo Credit: Muzium Negara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Present Ownership and Location of Item: Most likely in the collection of Muzium Negara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia


SS65
This 4 legged grasshopper looks like a crocodile to me!

Weight: 564.8 grammes
Length: 190 mm
Height: 55 mm
Width: 75 mm
Composition: Tin
Scarcity: RRR (Extremely Rare)

Photo Credit: Muzium Negara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Present Ownership and Location of Item: Most likely in the collection of Muzium Negara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia


SS66
(Also presented as Item 8 in Plate 2 and Item 5 in Plate 3 of Tin 'Hat' and Animal Money by Shaw and Kassim, 1970)
This is the only fish item listed by Saran. Many types in various shapes and sizes are known to exist.

Weight: 286 grammes
Length: 103 mm
Height: 40 mm
Width: 20 mm
Composition: Tin
Scarcity: RRR (Extremely Rare)

Photo Credit: Muzium Negara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Present Ownership and Location of Item: Most likely in the collection of Muzium Negara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

e. Goat (Kambing)


SS67
This is the only goat item listed by Saran, my favorite item in the listing.

Weight: 85.35 grammes
Length: 104 mm
Height: 72 mm
Width: 27 mm
Composition: Tin
Scarcity: RRR (Extremely Rare)

Photo Credit: Muzium Negara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Present Ownership and Location of Item: Most likely in the collection of Muzium Negara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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