CIRCULATED SILVER & GOLD COINS IN THE NORTHERN MALAY STATES (1600 UNTIL 1957)

Welcome to Aleph Coin Blog (Circulated Silver & Gold Coins in The Northern Malay States - Kedah, Perlis & Penang - Circa 1600 until 1957). This blog will preview my current collection or new information of coins that will later be added into my on-going project (that I am doing independently, due to my interest in History and Numismatic). I might be adding information of other coin and banknote that I came across. I am looking forward and much appreciated if someone can come to give information, sharing knowledge, sample of coins into making this project a reality. I also receive support from Dr Ibrahim Baker (a medical doctor, who has so much interest in Malay coins) and Dr Mahani Musa (expert in Penang's history, USM lecturer). Should you have information to relay, don't hesitate to contact me at msah83@gmail.com - Together, we work to preserving our history...

Saturday 19 July 2008

Malaysia RM1 - Unissued

This is the normal RM1 which can be easily found circulated in the market. Signed by Gabenor Bank Negara, Tan Sri Dato' Seri Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz.
This one is claimed to be unissued, but somehow the Central Bank's mistake to release it into the circulation. I can't be quite sure about this and still looking for valid confirmation. This piece was signed by Tan Sri Ali Abul Hassan.
Ok, this is one piece somebody's trying to sell on the eBay. Look at the price, and mind you the quality of the note is not more than Very Good (VG-grade).

Bank Negara Malaysia is reintroducing the new RM1 note, the sixth denomination issued in the new design Malaysian currency notes series (3rd series). The new RM1 bears the signature of the present Governor, Tan Sri Dato' Sri Dr. Zeti Akhtar Aziz, who assumed office on 1 May 2000. The new RM1 note printed earlier bears the signature of the Immediate Past Governor Tan Sri Dato' Seri Ali Abul Hassan bin Sulaiman. The new RM 1 note will incorporate the latest security features to deter counterfeiting.

The theme of the new series, "Wawasan 2020" reflects Malaysia's economic development and accomplishment towards achieving the status of a fully developed country. The main focus reflected in the background motif is the tourism sector. This is depicted with an illustration of a Malaysian kite, the beach, Mount Kinabalu and the pinnacles of Gunung Api located in Mulu National Park. This motif also reflects some off the popular tourist destinations in the country. As with the other denominations of the same series, the new RM1 note will also bear RM as the currency symbol for the Malaysian Ringgit.

The one signed by Tan Sri Ali Abul Hassan only has the prefix started by CR. The market price would be around RM750 for uncirculated, while circulated (in the conditions of good to very good) can take the price around RM300 to RM450.
So, the next time you receive RM1, do check the signature! Who knows you might have chance to make some profit of 350% from the face value.
The one I bought cost me RM350.00
Just for knowledge sharing.




Update 2012/July/14
The information has been updated at http://www.exonumi.com/?page=publish&id=1.25.BN.a5604 with more newly covered information.

Monday 7 July 2008

RM500 Malaysia Banknotes

Obverse
Reverse

RM500 Malaysian Banknotes, which is now is not legal tender, but still valid for exchange at Bank Negara Malaysia for legal tender cash. According to statement from BNM's website, annoucement of the demonetisation of RM500 was made on 12 September 1998, and ceased to be legal tender effective from 1 July 1999. Total printed and circulated to market was 1,989,479 pieces. At time of announcement, BNM expecting that there were less than 200,000 pieces of combined RM500 and RM1000 in the circulation.

According to Banking Info FAQs, the note has been taken out from circulation and withdrawn it legal tender status was to complement the exchange control measures introduced in 1998.
From Standard Catalogue of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei, 17th Edition (International Stamp & Coin):
1987 (No date) New series. The design generally similar to M57, but improved & additional security features. Vertical serial number printed in red, metallic silver feature, intermittent "stardust" security thread etc. Signed by the Bank's Governer Dato' Jaffar Hussein. Engraved and printed by Thomas De La Rue & Co Ltd. Multicolored.
M65 - 500 Ringgit; red, brown & yellow (155x83mm)
This type of banknote (and signed by earlier Governor) was issued back from 1982. The obverse features the portrait of the first Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong with some traditional carving, while the reverse features the Sultan Abdul Samad Building located at Independence Square in Kuala Lumpur.
Note: This information is for sharing, and I will not add into my research book. Hence answering the wonder of why I post it here. Just so that young generation knows the existence of this piece. To date, this one chip me a huge sum of money. By far, it was the most I had ever spent for this hobby.
Shahirasul, USM (2008-07-07)

Update 2012/July/14
The information has been updated at http://www.exonumi.com/?page=publish&id=1.26.BN.47170


References:

1. BNM Press Statement
Status of Demonetised RM500 and RM1,000 Currency Notes
http://www.bnm.gov.my/index.php?ch=8&pg=14&ac=1537

2. Banking Info - FAQs
FAQs on The Malaysian Currency
http://www.bankinginfo.com.my/04_help_and_advice/0407_faqs/faq_malaysian_currency.php?intPrefLangID=1&


More information about the banknote can be read here:
http://www.exonumi.com/?page=publish&id=1.26.BN.47170

Sunday 6 July 2008

RM 5 Uncut Banknotes

RM5 Uncut Banknotes - New Series

The new green RM5 denomination note issued in September 1999 depicts the "Wawasan 2020" theme of the current development Malaysian currency note series which reflects Malaysia's economic development and achievement towards a fully developed country. The construction sector has been selected as the design motif of the RM5 note, the fifth denomination issued in the current series (new series).

The obverse of the new RM5 note retains the dominant intaglio potrait of the First Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the distinctive anticopy square in the centre of the note. The predominant design emphasises the construction sector. This is represented by landmark buildings such as KLIA, Petronas Twin Towers and a geographical map bearing the landmark symbols representing Putrajaya and Cyberjaya. The security features in the note include the security thread with the repeated "BNM RM5" text, three-dimensional watermark potrait, anticopy feature known as "PEAK (R)" and security fibres in the paper.


RM5 Uncut Banknotes - Old Series

The green RM5 denomination note issued in January 1984 incorporates designs which are based on traditional Malaysian ornaments, wood-carvings, craft and flora and a vignette of a prominent building in the Federal Capital. It is the second denomination of the second series (old series).

The obverse of the RM5 note bears the potrait of the First Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong. The general background design includes patterns based on traditional ornaments, batik, wood-carvings and other crafts. On the reverse side of the note, the predominant design is a vignette of the National Palace, one of the major landmarks in the Federal Capital. The national flower, the Hibiscus is depicted on the lower right hand corner of the note. The security features in the note include the optical security thread, the latent image of the denomination numeral "5", the see-through feature and the watermark portrait of the First Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong.



(M70.dd) 5 Ringgit. A pair of 3 - Note uncut sheets, new and existing series (M60e) with identical serial numbers, but different prefix (20,000 sheets) - Standard Catalogue of Malaysia, Singapore & Brunei Coin and Paper Money.

This is an interesting article for me, though it is not related to my research. But, I still share it here at part of learning process and knowledge sharing.

Information about this collection has been properly posted to exonumi.com
View recent posting at:  http://www.exonumi.com/?page=publish&id=1.43.BN.2e18b