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

Thursday, May 27, 2010

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

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

d. Cockerel (Ayam)

Item SS54
(Also presented as Item 6 in Plate 2 of Tin 'Hat' and Animal Money by Shaw and Kassim, 1970)
Similar items are known to have been found in Malacca.

Weight: 20.3 grammes
Length: 35 mm
Height: 30 mm
Width: 14 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


Item SS55
(Also presented as Item 5 in Plate 2 of Tin 'Hat' and Animal Money by Shaw and Kassim, 1970)

Weight: 36.0 grammes
Length: 50 mm
Height: 33 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


Item SS56
Similar items are known to have been found in Malacca.

Weight: 6.89 grammes
Length: 50 mm
Height: 36 mm
Width: 3 mm
Composition: Tin
Scarcity: RRR (Extremely Rare)

Photo Credit: Tony Lye Fong Nge, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Present Ownership and Location of Item: Not known


Item SS57
This is quite an unusual item. Similar items are known to have been found in Malacca.

Weight: 35.38 grammes
Length: 47 mm
Height: 60 mm
Width: 5 mm
Composition: Tin
Scarcity: RRR (Extremely Rare)

Photo Credit: Tony Fong Nge, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Present Ownership and Location of Item: Not known


Type Item SS58
(Also presented as Item 1 in Plate 3 of Tin 'Hat' and Animal Money by Shaw and Kassim, 1970)
Similar items are known to have been found.

Weight: 57.8 grammes
Length: 78 mm
Height: 58 mm
Width: 16 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


Item SS 59
Items such as these are possibly issued by Perak.

Weight: 51.6 grammes
Length: 73 mm
Height: 48 mm
Width: 3 mm - 10 mm
Composition: Tin
Scarcity: RRR (Extremely Rare)

Photo Credit: William L.S. Barret, Canada
Present Ownership and Location of Item: Not known


Item SS60
Both item SS59 and SS60 are possibly found in the same state.

Weight: 62 grammes
Length: 82 mm
Height: 65 mm
Width: 4 mm - 11 mm
Composition: Tin
Scarcity: RRR (Extremely Rare)

Photo Credit: William L.S. Barret, Canada
Present Ownership and Location of Item: Not known.


Type Item SS61
(Also presented as Item 2 in Plate 3 of Tin 'Hat' and Animal Money by Shaw and Kassim, 1970)
This item is my personal favorite. It is different from the others, the design looks extraordinary and with element of mystique.

Weight: 58.5 grammes
Length: 91 mm
Height: 70 mm
Width: 23 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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