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

Sunday, June 13, 2010

SAGA PERTUBUHAN NUMISMATIK MALAYSIA - 21ST. ANNIVERSARY 1968 - 1989

This 1990 publication by the Malaysia Numismatic Society besides the article by Mohd. Kassim Hj. Ali on Hoard of Malay States Coins Found At Tanjung Pinang, Riau Islands, Indonesia includes 2 more articles on tin currencies of the Malay Peninsula. First, Tin Coinage of Sultan Ali Iskandar Shah of Johor (1855 - 1877) by Ishar Abdul Latiff and Unlisted Tin and Gold Coins of the Malay States of Johor, Terengganu, Kelantan, Kedah and Perak by Saran Singh.

Published more than 20 years ago in limited print, it is very difficult to get a copy of this publication. The best bet would be from members of the society who were members at that point in time.

Being a collector of Animal Currency I can't help but to appreciate a tin cockerel item included in the back cover advertisement of K.L. Coins & Curios Centre owned by Tony Lye Fong Nge. This outlet that was located at Sungei Wang Plaza in Jalan Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur has since ceased operation. Presented below is the said item.

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