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, August 8, 2010

ITEMS FROM MY PRIVATE COLLECTION

So far my postings focus on pictures of animal currencies from a private photo collection of items found in Johor in circa 1987 and, from reference books and auction catalogues. This is intentional so as to give a background to the world of Animal Currency of the old Malay Peninsula to readers. This month I will start posting photos of items from my collection. Naturally, I will not post photos of unique and extremely rare items here. The photos of these items will be reserved and revealed in my yet to be published book on Animal Currency.

Thank you for your visit.
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Tuesday, August 3, 2010

SPINK-TAISEI SINGAPORE COIN AUCTION CATALOGUE 3

Spink-Taisei Singapore Coin Auction 3 was held on Thursday, February 11 1988. Categorized under  Malaya was 1 large "fish money" attributed to the state of Kedah. Animal Currency are generally and usually attributed to the state of Perak.







Lot 4, Plate 1 - Kedah: Large fish money (Duit Ikan), 17th./18th. century. Size 8.5 x 3.0cm. Deep corroded patches on one side otherwise very fine and very rare. (As per catalogue description, weight information not provided).

Estimate = US$250 - US$280
Realized = ?

Fish money items are very rare but I would personally rate those in big sizes such as item Lot 4 as being extremely rare.

Note: The images posted here are for reference and educational purposes and will be immediately removed if so required by copyright owner(s).
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