Doctor Who 50th Anniversary Silver Coin

January 26, 2013, 5:47 am

≫ Next: Centenary of Canberra circulating coin unveiled

On 24 january 2013, New Zealand Mint has released Doctor Who 50th Anniversary Silver Coin to commemorate the longest running and most successful science fiction television series of all time, Doctor Who.

The one-ounce silver .999 coin features an engraved picture of the iconic TARDIS. The coin comes packaged in a 3D model replica of the TARDIS, which opens with the iconic TARDIS “vwarp vwarp” sound. The coins themselves are legal tender for $2 in the South Pacific Island nation Niue.

Later in the year New Zealand Mint will also release collectible coins featuring all 11 Doctors, from the first Doctor played by William Hartnell, to the current incarnation - Matt Smith. Further Doctor Who coin releases are also planned for 2014 and 2015.

The reverse design show an engraved relief of the iconic TARDIS used by the Doctor to travel through time and space. This bursts forth out of a dynamic high quality colour printed background representing time travel. The coins border features the finely engraved words Doctor Who 50th Anniversary 1963 – 2013.

The obverse design features the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The coin enclosed is issued by New Zealand Mint as legal tender, under the authority of Niue Island.

The 50th Anniversary coin is packaged in the iconic Doctor Who TARDIS, the telepathic travel machine. The doors of the TARDIS slide open to display the 1oz coin and certificate of authenticity inside.

Technical Specifications:
Metal: .999 Silver
Finish: Proof
Diameter: 40.1 mm
Edge: Milled
Denomination: $2
Country: Niue
Year of Issue: 2013
Mintage: 10,000

The programme produced in Great Britain by the BBC, first aired in 1963, depicts the adventures of a time traveling, humanoid alien known as the Doctor. He explores the universe in his TARDIS, a telepathic travel machine that’s bigger on the inside than the outside, and outwardly appears to be a blue 1960s British police box. Along with a succession of companions, the Doctor faces a variety of foes while working to save civilizations, help those he comes in contact with, and right wrongs across the universe.

The coins will officially launch at the World Money Fair in Berlin on 1 February and will be available for pre-order at the New Zealand Mint website www.newzealandmint.com from 24 January or via selected international coin distributors.

↧

Centenary of Canberra circulating coin unveiled

January 29, 2013, 3:29 am

≫ Next: Straits Settlement Story

≪ Previous: Doctor Who 50th Anniversary Silver Coin

The design of the Centenary of Canberra circulating coin has been unveiled by the Royal Australian Mint on 28 January 2013. ACT Chief Minister Katy Gallagher and Member for Canberra Gai Brodtmann, representing the Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer, Bernie Ripoll, show the design for the new commemorative Centenary of Canberra circulating coin.

The 20 cent coin shows the original blueprint for Canberra, as designed by Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin, which has shaped the development of the city into the capital it is today. The coin was designed and produced by the Royal Australian Mint, and will be used in the coin toss for the Prime Minister's XI cricket match on 29 January 2012.

The Royal Australian Mint set up a stall during the Prime Minister's X1 cricket match to give Canberrans their first chance to collect a Centenary of Canberra circulating coin. The Prime Minister's XI played the West Indies in the first official match played under the new lights at Manuka.

Five million of the new coins will be circulated throughout Australia for the next few months. 10,000 pieces were being swapped for old 20 cent coins outside the gates of Manuka Oval the Prime Minister was tossing a bright shiny one to start the historic day-night match between her team and the West Indies.

The Mint will be holding another coin swap at the One Day International on 6 February 2013 for those who would like to be one of the first to get their hands on the new coin.

A separate silver $5 collectible coin featuring the Canberra skyline will be available for pre-order tomorrow through the Royal Australian Mint Call Centre on 1300 652 020.

↧

Straits Settlement Story

January 29, 2013, 4:59 am

≫ Next: World's Most Expensive Coins

≪ Previous: Centenary of Canberra circulating coin unveiled

The establishment of the Straits Settlements followed the Anglo-Dutch Treaty of 1824 between the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, by which the Malay archipelago was divided into a British zone in the north and a Dutch zone in the south. This resulted the exchange of the British settlement of Bencoolen (on Sumatra) for the Dutch colony of Malacca and undisputed control of Singapore. Its capital was moved from Penang to Singapore in 1832.

Straits Settlements situated on the Malay Peninsula of Asia, was formed in 1826 by combining the territories of Singapore, Penang and Malacca. The colony was administered by the East India Company until its abolition in 1858. Straits Settlements was a part of British India from 1858 to 1867 at which time it became a Crown Colony.

The Straits Settlements currency gradually became acceptable legal tender in the neighboring Federated as well as the Unfederated Malay States. The Straits Settlements were dissolved in 1946, while the coinage continued to circulate until demonetized at the end of 1952.

Straits Settlements Coins History

The first coins issued for the Straits Settlements in 1845 were ¼, ½ and 1 cent denominations in copper. They were issued by the East India Company and did not bear any indication of where they were to be used. A second issue of the same denominations was produced in 1862 by the government of British India. These bore the inscription "India - Straits".

In 1871, silver coins were issued in the name of the Straits Settlements for 5, 10 and 20 cents, followed by copper ¼, ½ and 1 cent the next year and silver 50 cents in 1886. Silver dollars were first minted in 1903.

A 3 page special issue of the Straits Settlements Government Gazette published in Singapore on 24 Aug. 1904, contained the following proclamation by then Governor, Sir John Anderson. From 31 Aug. 1904, British, Mexican and Hong Kong Dollars would cease to be legal tender and would be replaced by the newly introduced Straits Settlements Dollar.

The purpose of this action was to create a separate exchange value for the new Straits Dollar as compared with the other silver dollars that were circulating in the region, notably the British trade dollar. The idea was that when the exchange value had diverged significantly from that of the other silver dollars, then the autorities would peg it to sterling at that value, hence putting the Straits Settlements unto the gold exchange standard. This pegging occurred when the Straits Dollar reached the value of two shillings and four pence (2s 4d) against sterling.

Within a few years, the value of silver rose rapidly such as to make the silver value of the Straits dollar higher than its gold exchange value. In order to prevent these dollars from being melted down, a new smaller dollar was issued in 1907 with a reduced silver content. A parallel story occurred in the Philippines at the same time. The last ¼ cent coins were issued in 1916. Dollars were last struck for circulation in 1920, with 50 cents production ending in 1921. The remaining coins continued in production until 1935.

Straits Settlements Banknotes History

Queen Victoria (1837 - 1901)

The Government of Straits Settlements, was first authorised to issue currency notes by Ordinance VIII of 1897, which came into operation on 31 August 1898. These notes, although dated 1 September 1898, were not issued to the public until 1 May 1899. Both the Chartered Bank and Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank continued to issue banknotes, which circulated side by side with the official currency. All notes were freely exchangeable with the Mexican dollar or the various other silver coins that were legal tender in the Colony.

King Edward VII (1901 - 1910)

King Edward ascended the throne in January 1901. In the previous issue the 5-dollar note had been of almost the same size and design as the 10-dollar. To make recognition more simple it was reduced in size. The series dated 1 February 1901 were printed by Thomas de la Rue & Co. Ltd. of London. In 1903, a dollar-sized coin in silver was minted specially for the Straits Settlements, and this became the standard unit of value. All other silver dollars at that time circulation were demonetized by 1904. A step rise in the price of silver, however, soon forced the government to call int the first issue of this Straits dollar and to replace it with a coin of lower silver content.

King George V (1910 - 1936)

During this reign the range of currency notes was extended up to one thousand dollars for the convenience of inter-bank clearing transactions. In 1915, it was decided to make a complete change in the design of the 50, 100 and 1000 dollar notes. These denominations were first issued to the public in February 1920, October 1919 and May 1917 respectively. They were printed by Thomas de la Rue. A 10,000 note was first issued in October 1922. This was not available to the public, but was used exclusively in inter-bank transfers.

The most expensive Straits Settlements banknote is the $1000 1911 Specimen banknote sold for US$308,619 at Spink Auction on 5 July 2008, you can read about it here; Straits Settlements most expensive banknote.

Source: wikipedia, Krause Publication.

↧

World's Most Expensive Coins

January 30, 2013, 8:06 am

≫ Next: Champagne Vineyard gold coins for auction

≪ Previous: Straits Settlement Story

Here is a list of "World's Most Expensive Coins" according to my record in lunaticg.blogspot.com. Most of the coins in this list are came from United States. Most of these coins are sold in auction around the world and some were sold in private treaty. These coins are extremely rare and they're a lot of counterfeit in the market. I advice everyone who has the same coin, don't just jump into conclusion that you have a rare coin. Your coin might be fake or have a different year date then what I post in here.

Top 5 World Most Expensive Coins:

1. 1794 flowing hair silver dollar

On 24 January 2013, A 1794 silver dollar sold for USD$10,016,875 (including the buyer's commission) in Stack’s Bowers Cardinal Collection auction. The coveted 1794 Flowing Hair silver dollar, a superb Gem Specimen example, the finest known to exist. The coin was part of the Cardinal Collection, amassed by the collector Martin Logies. Bowers described the collection as the "Old Masters" of coins struck during the earliest years of the U.S. Mint. The record-setting coin shows a profile of Miss Liberty facing right surrounded by stars representing each state in the union. The design was only used in 1794 and briefly the following year. Read More: 1794 silver dollar sells for US$10mil.

2. $20 1933 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle

On 30 July 2002, a 1933 double eagle was sold to an anonymous bidder at a Sotheby's auction held in New York for $6.6 million, plus a 15-percent buyer's premium, and an additional $20 needed to “monetize” the face value of the coin so it would become legal currency, bringing the final sale price to $7,590,020.00. Half the bid price was to be delivered to the United States Treasury, plus the $20 to monetize the coin, while Stephen Fenton was entitled to the other half. Under sworn testimony, Fenton insisted the double eagle had come from the collection of King Farouk, though this could not be verified. Read More: USA 1933 gold double eagle.

3. $15 dollar 1787 Gold Brasher Doubloon EB

On December 2011, a $15 dollar 1787 Gold Brasher Doubloon EB has been sold for $7.4 million. The rare 1787 gold Brasher doubloon purchased by a Wall Street investment firm. A New Orleans-based coin and precious metals company, Blanchard and Co., brokered the deal but identities of the buyer and seller were not disclosed. Minted by Ephraim Brasher, a goldsmith and neighbor of George Washington, the coin contains 26.66 grams of gold, slightly less than an ounce. The Brasher doubloon is considered the first American-made gold coin denominated in dollars; the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia didn't begin striking coins until the 1790s. Read More: 1787 gold coin sold $7.4M.

4. 1804 silver dollar

On 30 August 1999, a 1804 silver dollar sold in auction by Bowers and Merena Galleries for $4,140,000. That figure included a hammer price of $3,600,000 plus a 15-percent buyer’s fee of $540,000. The piece was an original (or Class I) example considered to be the finest of all the known 1804 silver dollars (graded Proof68 by PGCS). The coin had been part of a presentation set given by U.S. envoy Edmund Roberts to aid bin Sultan, Sultan of Muscat and Oman. The 1804 silver dollar has been christened "The King of Coins" as it is one of the rarest and most prestigious American coins ever minted.

5. 1913 Liberty Head nickel

On January 2010, a rare 1913 American nickel five-cent piece also known as The Liberty Head nickel, sometimes referred to as the V nickel due to its reverse design, recently dubbed "The Mona Lisa of Rare Coins," was sold for more than $3.7 million (2.3 million pounds) in Heritage Auctions Platinum Night. The so-called Liberty Head nickel, one of only five known of that specific date and design, was sold "in spirited bidding" to a private East Coast coin collector in Orlando. The 1913 5 cent coin, also known as the Olsen specimen is the most expensive and famous Liberty Head Nickel. This is because it was used in the TV series Hawaii Five-O (episode title: "The $ 100,000 Nickel", published on December 11, 1973) and is also said to be once owned by King Farouk of Egypt. This coin grades Proof-64 from PGCS and NGC. Read More: Mona Lisa of Rare Coins: 1913 Liberty Head nickel.

↧

Champagne Vineyard gold coins for auction

February 1, 2013, 1:14 am

≫ Next: RIP Tony Lye Fong Nge

≪ Previous: World's Most Expensive Coins

A gold coins collection found in the attic of an old building in the rural village of Les Riceys, France will be auction by Bonhams during its June 2013 auction of Rare Coins and Medals in Los Angeles. The well publicized discovery occurred in France last February by chance when, according to the vineyard, several of the coins rained down on a worker remodeling a former grape-drying facility.

The Collection features 497 gold US coins minted between 1851 and 1928 with an approximate appraise of $1 million. The coins have been untouched for nearly a century and range in condition from Very Fine to Choice Mint State. It is unknown how the coins found their way to the attic in the eastern village of Les Riceys, France, but the building was owned by a wine producer who traded with the US and England in the 1930s.

Paul Song, Director of the Rare Coins and Banknotes Department at Bonhams, said of the auction, "Bonhams is extremely pleased to be working with The Lanson-BCC Group on this auction. With many coin collections typically found in bank vaults, we are excited to bring this new, uniquely discovered treasure to auction. Our Bonhams Paris Office was instrumental in working closely with the consignor, Lanson-BCC Group, parent company to Alexandre Bonnet Champagne among others, to ensure that the Collection will be presented and sold at auction in the US as a newly discovered treasure. As well, we are delighted that the auction of the coins will not only promote the name of the Lanson Group Champagne brands in the US but that half of the proceeds from the auction will go to the individual who discovered the coins in the house. The vineyard has described him as a modest employee of the Lanson firm, who brought the Collection to the attention of the company not knowing that he would be entitled to half of the proceeds under French law. According to the vineyard, this anonymous individual will now be able to buy or build a house for his family with the auction proceeds."

The building where they found 497 gold US coins, a former grape-drying facility, is owned by Champagne producer Francois Lange. Mr Lange, the head of the Alexandre Bonnet Champagne firm, said: "One of the workers was attacking the building’s ceiling with a crowbar when gold coins started to rain down on him, followed by sacks of gold."

Half the coins will go to the workers and the other half to Mr Lange. The gold coins are worth about $980,000 (£622,000) today.

Source: www.bonhams.com

↧

RIP Tony Lye Fong Nge

February 1, 2013, 6:44 am

≫ Next: Mongolia; World Oldest Country

≪ Previous: Champagne Vineyard gold coins for auction

May you rest in peace (RIP) Tony Lye Fong Nge.

Founder,Vice President,PNM Numismatic Society Malaysia.

Yesterday, on 31st January 2013, we lost another Malaysia famous numismatist, Tony Lye Fong Nge who has departed. Malaysia numismatic lost another great mentor, collector and "Pakar Numismatik", It is a sad day to everyone.

When I received the information from Sifu Dickson Niew via sms, I don't reply him. I usually don't know what to say or how to act at times like these.

Tony Lye Fong Nge was born in Mallaca in 1939. He quit his job as Chinese interpreter in 1978 and started to become a coin dealer in the same year. He is one of the founder of Malaysia Numismatic Society in 1968 and the only one left in the society. He has been awarded a "Man of achievement" by international Biographic Centre, Cambridge, England in 1980. He also one of the 1st seven member that been awarded "Pakar Numismatic Malaysia" by Malaysia Numismatic Society in 1989. He also one of the contributor for Krause Publication catalog. With so many achievement at hand, he is a respectful person in Malaysia Numismatic.

I meet and chat with him few times before and meet him on June 2009 for an autograph for his book The Collection of Mallaca Coinage. He is one of the few dealers that I regularly meet when I start blogging.

Condolence to his family for their loss.

↧

Mongolia; World Oldest Country

February 1, 2013, 9:45 am

≫ Next: World's First Coin: The Lydian Lion

≪ Previous: RIP Tony Lye Fong Nge

Mongolian banknote is another smallest banknote that I can find in my collection. This mongos banknotes is issued in 1993 with Genghis Khan Watermark and "Soemba" arms at upper center. The 10 mongo banknote color is in red-violet on pale orange with 2 archers at lower center on face and back. The 20 mongo banknote color is in brown on ochre and yellow brown with 2 athletes at lower center on face and back. The 50 mongo banknote color is in greenish black on blue and pale green with 2 horsemen at lower center on face and back. All this banknote size is around 40 mm x 90 mm.

The State of Mongolia, (formerly the Mongolian People’s Republic) a landlocked country in central Asia between Russia and the People's Republic of China, has an area of 604,250 sq. miles. (1,565,000 sq. km.) and a population of 2.26 million. Capital: Ulaan Baator. Animal herds and flocks are the chief economic asset. Wool, cattle, butter, meat and hides are exported.

In the chaos of the late twelfth century, a chieftain named Temüjin finally succeeded in uniting the Mongol tribes between Manchuria and the Altai Mountains. In 1206, he took the title Genghis Khan, and waged a series of military campaigns - renowned for their brutality and ferocity - sweeping through much of Asia, and forming the Mongol Empire, the largest contiguous land empire in world history. Under his successors it stretched from present-day Poland in the west to Korea in the east, and from Siberia in the north to the Gulf of Oman and Vietnam in the south, covering some 33,000,000 km² (12,741,000 sq mi), (22% of Earth's total land area) and having a population of over 100 million people.

After Genghis Khan's death, the empire had been subdivided into four kingdoms or Khanates which eventually split-up after Möngke's death in 1259. One of the khanates, the "Great Khaanate", consisting of the Mongol homeland and China, became the Yuan Dynasty under Kublai Khan grandson of Genghis Khaan. He set up his capital in present day Beijing but after more than a century of power, the Yuan was replaced by the Ming Dynasty in 1368, with the Mongol court fleeing to the north. As the Ming armies pursued the Mongols into their homeland, they successfully sacked and destroyed the Mongol capital Karakorum among other cities, wiping out the cultural progress that was achieved during the imperial period and thus throwing Mongolia back to anarchy.

The empire dissolved in later centuries and in 1691 was brought under suzerainty of the Manchus, who had conquered China in 1644. Afterward the Chinese republican movement led by Sun Yat-sen overthrew the Manchus and set up the Chinese Republic in 1911. Mongolia, with the support of Russia, proclaimed their independence from China and, on March 13, 1921 a Provisional People’s Government was established and later, on Nov. 26, 1924 the government proclaimed the Mongolian People’s Republic.

MONETARY SYSTEM
100 Mongo = 1 Tugrik

Source: Wikipedia, Krause Publication Book.

↧

World's First Coin: The Lydian Lion

February 1, 2013, 10:00 am

≫ Next: Securency case in Malaysia

≪ Previous: Mongolia; World Oldest Country

Do you know what is the worlds first coin? Lydian third stater, or trite, minted sometime around 600 BC in Lydia, Asia Minor (current-day Turkey), a country in close geographic and cultural proximity to the Greek colonies in Asia Minor Is the world 1st coin. It's made of electrum, an alloy of gold and silver called "white gold" in ancient times (50-60 percent gold with these coins). One of the many fascinating aspects of this coin is the mysterious sunburst above the lion's eye.

The first metal coins are regarded by some as having been invented in China. The earliest known Chinese metal tokens were made ca. 900 BC, discovered in a tomb near Anyang. These were replicas in bronze of earlier Chinese money, cowrie shells, so they were named Bronze Shell. Most numismatists, however, regard these as well as later Chinese bronzes that were replicas of knives, spades, and hoes as money but not as coins because they didn't at least initially carry a mark or marks certifying them to be of a definite exchange value.

Coins originated independently in Anatolia, with most numismatists regarding Lydia as the birthplace of coinage. The Greeks soon adopted the Lydian practice and extended it to commerce and trade, with coinage following Greek colonization and influence first around the eastern Mediterranean and soon after to North Africa (including Egypt), Syria, Persia, and the Balkans.

The first Lydian coins were made of electrum, an alloy of silver and gold. Many early Lydian coins were undoubtedly struck (manufactured) under the authority of private individuals and are thus more akin to tokens than true coins, though because of their numbers it's evident that some were official state issues, with King Alyattes of Lydia being the most frequently mentioned originator of coinage.

Most of the early Lydian coins have no writing on them just images of symbolic animals. Therefore the dating of these coins relies primarily on archeological evidence, with the most commonly cited evidence coming from excavations at the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, also called the Ephesian Artemision (which would later evolve into one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world). Some people say that Lydian Electrum 1/6 stater is the oldest coin in the world but they're some argument whether the Electrum 1/6 stater is a coin or just a ceremonial objects issued by priests.

A small percentage of early Lydian coins include writing, called a "legend" or "inscription." Another famous early electrum coin with a legend is from nearby Caria, Asia Minor, with the legend reading, "I am the badge of Phanes." Nothing is known about who Phanes was, but one logical assumption is that he was a wealthy merchant.

The Lydian’s invented a way to verify if gold was pure or not, they used a black stone that was like jasper and later became known as the touchstone. The goldsmiths would rub the gold object against a set of 24 needles containing varying amounts of the 3 metals: gold, silver, and copper. The 24th needle of course was pure gold, thus creating the system to show that 24 carats is pure gold, (carat is a word derived from the Greek word Keration).

Source: rg.ancient info, www.coinace.com, wikipedia

↧

Securency case in Malaysia

February 2, 2013, 10:53 am

≫ Next: History of Plastic Money

≪ Previous: World's First Coin: The Lydian Lion

In a recent statement by The Malay Mail, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) deputy chief commissioner Datuk Shukri Abdull indicated that there would be no fresh charges related to Securency case. MACC have completed their investigations and have charged the former senior central bank officer and a businessmen. In a report by Australian newspaper The Age yesterday, lawyers forNote Printing Australia (NPA) and Securency entered guilty pleas at the Melbourne Magistrate’s Court to three charges each of bribing or conspiring to bribe foreign officials to obtain a business advantage.

I had been following Securency case in Malaysia since June 2010. Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) fully owns banknote printer Note Printing Australia (NPA) and half of Securency, which manufactures plastic banknotes. NPA printed the RM5 polymer note, as well as the 1998 Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games RM50 commemorative notes. Here are some of the story that had been posted in my blog.

Sex bribe for currency printing contracts

Australia The Age Newspaper reported, Bank Negara Malaysia official probably involve in sex bribe for currency printing contracts. The allegations were made on ABC television by a key witness in a long-running Federal Police investigation into the international operations of Securency, which provides the polymer base for high security paper currency. Responding a query by Starbiz in relation to Bernama report on the investigation in Britain, Indonesia and Malaysia for alleged bribery by the currency-printing subsidiaries of the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA). Securency and Note Printing Australia (NPA) are the currency-printing subsidiaries. Read More.

3 arrested in Malaysia for Securency case

Malaysian's anti-corruption agency said it has arrested three individuals over an Australian banknote supply contract scandal, as an international probe into the case deepened. Malaysia's Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) said the trio were arrested last month after claims emerged that the Melbourne-based Securency International offered bribes to officials in Malaysia. They were arrested in Putrajaya when they went there to give their statements. Read More.

Securency hired Malaysia political family

A news by Sydney Morning Herald reported that Securency hired Malaysia political family. The Age has learned that Securency signed Kuala Lumpur firm Liberal Technology as its Malaysian agent in 2009. The biggest individual shareholder in Liberal Technology is businessman Haris Onn Hussein. Haris Onn Hussein is well connected; his cousin is the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Najib Razak, and his brother is Home Affairs Minister Hishammuddin Tun Hussein. Read More.

Minister brother denies Liberal Technology shares

Businessman Haris Onn Hussein, brother of Malaysia's Home Affairs Minister yesterday said he was not a shareholder of Kuala Lumpur company when it was hired two years ago by Securency. He said he already sold his shares in Liberal Technology in September 2006 and had no dealings with Securency, which engaged the Malaysian firm as its agent in 2009. However, Liberal Technology's official records with Companies Commission of Malaysia had, until yesterday, listed Haris Onn Hussein as owning 180,000 shares. Read More.

Picture by Bernama: Mohamad Daud (centre)

RM5 polymer case involved ex BNM governor

A former Bank Negara Malaysia assistant governor Datuk Mohamad Daud Dol Moin, 58, has claimed trial at a Sessions Court in Kuala Lumpur yesterday, for accepting RM100,000 bribe, to secure a contract for printing a RM5 polymer notes by Note Printing Australia Ltd. On the same day, businessman Abdul Kayum, has claimed trial at the Sessions Court in Shah Alam for bribing Mohamad Daud. The offences were allegedly committed at the EON Bank, Jalan Taipan in Subang Jaya on Nov 24, 2004 and Feb 15, 2005. Abdul Kayum was arrested on July 5 last year. Read More.

Securency tried to bribe Pak Lah

The Reserve Bank of Australia’s banknote firms, Securency and Note Printing Australia (NPA) are suspected of attempting to bribe Malaysia former Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in order to get his help to win a $31 million currency contract for Malaysia RM5 polymer notes. The contracts negotiation occurred around 2003, the year he became prime minister and finance minister. Tun Abdullah served as Malaysia prime minister until 2009. Read More.

The middlemen, Abdul Kayum Syed Ahmad also involved in a 2004 case of black market link on supplying a nuclear weapon to Pakistan. Securency and NPA engaged Abdul Kayum in the late 1990s to lobby Malaysian government and banking officials to adopt the Australian-made polymer banknotes. Abdul Kayum's former business associates had told The Age that the man claimed to have high-level political connections in Malaysia that he could use to help strike deals for foreign companies. The Age disclosed that Abdul Kayum's Kuala Lumpur investment company Aksavest is alleged to have received hundreds of thousands of dollars in commissions from Securency and NPA. By late 2007, the Reserve Bank had ordered NPA to sever ties with Abdul Kayum and its other overseas middlemen due to integrity concerns.

Abdul Kayum is charged under Section 11(b) of the Anti Corruption Act 1997 with paying RM 50,000 through a middleman to Mohamad Daud to aid in obtaining a contract linked to the application for a project for printing of the RM5 polymer bank note by Note Australia Limited. He was also charged with a second offence under Section 11(b) of the Anti Corruption Act for paying Mohamad Daud another RM50,000 through the same middleman at the same place on Feb 15, 2005.

↧

History of Plastic Money

February 2, 2013, 11:40 am

≫ Next: Malaysia Rare Coins

≪ Previous: Securency case in Malaysia

History of Polymer banknotes

History of Plastic Money started in 1967 when Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) found fake Australia $10 dollar banknote in circulation. They were concerned about an increase in counterfeiting with the release of colour photocopiers that year. In 1968 the RBA started collaborations with The Commonwealth Scientific & Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and The University of Melbourne. Funds were made available in 1969 for the experimental production of distinctive papers.

In 1955, Tyvek was first discovered by DuPont researcher Jim White who saw polyethylene fluff coming out of a pipe in a DuPont experimental lab. It was trademarked in 1965 and was first introduced for commercial purposes in April 1967. Tyvek is a nonwoven product consisting of spunbond olefin fiber.

In 1980, American Bank Note Company (ABNC) had the contract to produce paper notes for Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras and Venezuela. In the early 1980's ABNC joined forces with Dupont to produce sample or specimen Tvyek banknotes for these countries.

Tyvek did not perform well in trials; smudging of ink and fragility were reported as problems. Only Costa Rica and Haiti issued Tyvek banknotes; Haiti in 1982 and Costa Rica with notes dated 28.06.1983. Trial notes were produced for Ecuador, El Salvador, Honduras and Venezuela but never placed in circulation. Additionally, English printers Bradbury Wilkinson produced a version on Tyvek but marketed as Bradvek for the Isle of Man in 1983; however, they are no longer produced because the company was sold.

Today, all Haiti Tyvek banknotes are scarce and their prices skyrocket each years as they were the first Tyvek banknotes issued by any country.

In 1972, insertion of an optically variable device (OVD) created from diffraction gratings in plastic as a security device inserted in banknotes was proposed. The first patent arising from the development of polymer banknotes was filed in 1973. In 1974 the technique of lamination was used to combine materials; the all-plastic laminate eventually chosen was a clear, BOPP laminate, in which OVDs could be inserted without needing to punch holes.

In 1988, Note Printing Australia (NPA) produced Australia first Polymer plastic note for the Australian Bi-Centennial in 1988. The first issues did not have sufficient bonding and the Captain Cook OVD was easily removed. The technique was modified later on with additional layers of bonding which held the printing.

Polymer banknotes history in Malaysia

Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) only issued Malaysia first polymer banknote in 1998 with RM50 1998 Commonwealth Games Polymer banknote (RM50 SUKOM 98). some non-collector bloggers posted in their blog last year, Malaysia RM50 1998 Commonwealth Games Polymer banknote (RM50 SUKOM 98) as a new 50 ringgit banknote for 2012; you can read more about it here; New 50 ringgit this year?.

On 26 October 2004, Bank Negara Malaysia start to issued Malaysia RM5 polymer banknotes, Malaysia first polymer banknotes in circulation. 80 million pieces of RM 5 polymer banknotes were produced for the first batch of the note. In February 2011, a former Bank Negara Malaysia assistant governor Datuk Mohamad Daud Dol Moin, 58, has claimed trial at a Sessions Court in Kuala Lumpur yesterday, for accepting RM100,000 bribe from, to secure a contract for printing a RM5 polymer notes by Note Printing Australia Ltd. You can read more about it in; Securency case in Malaysia.

Last year, BNM introduced new Malaysia banknote with 2 new Polymer banknotes design; RM1 and RM5 banknotes. Themed 'Distinctively Malaysia', the fourth series of Malaysian banknotes features traditional expressions in the art and craft, natural wonders, flora and fauna, economy and tradition. The new Malaysia 5 ringgit polymer banknote has been nominate for Banknote of 2012 award organize by International Bank Note Society (IBNS).

At least seven countries have converted fully to polymer banknotes and join in the history of Plastic Money: Australia, Bermuda, Brunei, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Romania and Vietnam. Other countries and regions with notes printed on Guardian polymer in circulation include: Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Dominican Republic, Hong Kong (for a 2-year trial), Indonesia, Israel, Malaysia, Mexico, Nepal, Nigeria, Solomon Islands (no longer issued), Sri Lanka, Thailand, Samoa, Singapore and Zambia. Countries and regions that have issued commemorative banknotes (which are not in circulation) on Guardian polymer include: China, Taiwan, Kuwait, Northern Ireland and Singapore.

Source: Wikipedia.

↧

Malaysia Rare Coins

February 4, 2013, 3:07 am

≫ Next: Coin Collecting Terminology

≪ Previous: History of Plastic Money

Do you know what is Malaysia rare coins or Malaysia rare key dates that most collectors are looking for? If you expect that their prices can go up for over 1 million ringgit, please don't read this post. You will be disappointed with the low price for rare coin of Malaysia.

For all my collectors friends. The word "rare" in here is not about rare in numismatic. Please don't message me and tell me that I wrongly used the words 'rare'. If you want to use that word 'rare' properly, can you give me one Malaysia coin that can be put as rare coin?

Last time when I were actively looking for coins in the flea market, I can still find Malaysia key dates coins with a reasonable price and high grade condition. Nowadays, it is almost impossible to find some of them in any flea market because they're many collector around.

I have been discussing about Malaysia rare coin in many of my posts before. Some of the coin is very hard to find and most dealer will not sale them according to catalog price. For last year, price of the 10 sen 1971 has been skyrocket since many collector already knew there are two variety of the 10 sen 1971; v1 and v2. Early this year, some "stupid collector" has been claiming that there is a "Fake 10 sen 1971" offered by a seller to him. He said the price is almost the same as the original but slightly cheaper. Funny thing is so far we don't see a single piece of a fake 10 sen 1971 coin yet. You can read a post about the story in here; Duit palsu 10 sen 1971. Last week I have a chance to ask some people regarding the counterfeit 10 sen 1971 and from the information that I get I found out that a collector who work in a factory and famous for his Fake Kijang Emas maybe has been attempting to make that counterfeit coin. He maybe want to try to sell it among collectors so authority don't know about it. His agents are busy making rumours about this counterfeit coin so you can make order to them.

To any of my collector friends who received or bought that fake coins, please report it to police and send a copy of your police report and the said fake coin to Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM). We don't want a counterfeiter ruining our hobby in Malaysia.

Maybe the most sought after Malaysia coins for 2013 will be the 1 sen 1976 copper coin. The over RM4,000 price tag is tempting for most non collector. Some of them even think all 1 sen 1976 are consider as rare. The truth is only only 1 sen 1976 that do not attract to magnet is expensive. The heavy price is for the high grade Brilliant Uncirculated (BU), the lower the grade, the lower the price. You can learn about the coin in this post; How to detect 1 sen 1976 copper coin. This coin is also so far the most expensive circulation coin for Malaysia.

Another Malaysia coins that is HOT in the market is 50 sen with milled edge for 1967,1968 and 1969. It is almost impossible to find it at open market nowadays and some altered coins has been found. The altered coins look like a milled edge 50 sen but came from the normal security edge "50 sen berparit". I hope everyone who is looking for these coin will be aware about it and take extra precaution when someone offer you a complete set of 50 sen milled edge. The price for each coins already going up over RM1000 a piece with 1969 50 sen milled edge as the most hard to find from the rest. You can learn more about it in here; Duit syiling 50 sen Parlimen.

↧

Coin Collecting Terminology

February 4, 2013, 7:28 am

≫ Next: Philipine Peso Story

≪ Previous: Malaysia Rare Coins

This is some dictionary of terminology, glossary and word used in numismatic or coin collecting. This term in here is a words that used by many coin collector. Will update them time to time for a new word and their meaning. Please leave a comment if I missed any or giving a wrong definition.

Alloy: Mixture of more than one metal.

Anneal: To soften dies, planchets or metal by heat treatment.

Assay: Analytic test or trial to ascertain the fineness, weight and consistency of precious or other metal in coin or bullion.

Attribution: The identification of a numismatic item by characteristics such as issuing authority, date or period, mint, denomination, metal in which struck and by a standard reference.

Bag Marks: see contact marks

Base Metal: Non precious metal; e.g., copper.

Blank, Planchet: The disk of metal or other material before the dies of a coin, token or medal impress it. A blank is a piece that has not been given an upset rim; a planchet has the upset rim.

Clad: Composite coinage metal strip composed of a core, usually of a base metal such as copper and surface layers of more valuable metal like copper-nickel or silver.

Coin: A piece of metal, marked with a device, issued by a governing authority and intended to be used as money. Coins may or may not be legal tender.

Collar: A retaining ring die within which the coin dies operate. The collar (of the type called a close collar) forms the edge design of the piece, such as reeding or lettering.

Contact Marks: Surface abrasions found on coins because of coin striking the surfaces of other coins during bagging and shipping procedures. This is also called "bag marks", terms derived from the canvas bags coin were once shipped in from the mint.

Copper-nickel: Coinage alloy composed of copper and nickel in varying amounts.

Denomination: The face value of a coin; the amount of money it is worth as legal tender.

Denticles: Ornamental device used on rims of coins, often resembling teeth, hence the name; also "beading". Also called dentils.

Device: the principal design element, such as portrait, shield or heraldic emblem, on the obverse or reserve of a coin.

Die: A hardened metal punch, the face of which carries an intaglio or incused mirror image to be impressed on one side of a planchet.

Disme: Original spelling of "dime" used into the 1830s in mint document.

Edge: Often termed the third side of a coin, it is the surface perpendicular to the obverse and reverse. Not to be confused with the rim. Edges can be plain, reeded, lettered or carry other designs or a combination of edge elements.

Encapsulated coin: One that has been sealed in a plastic holder, especially by a third party grading service. The encapsulation is usually called by its nickname, "slab".

Field: The flat part of a surface of a coin surrounding and between the head, legend or other designs.

Fineness: Represents the purity of precious metal, either in monetary or bullion form. Often stated in terms of purity per 1,000 parts: A .925 fine silver coin has 92.5% silver and 7.5% other metal.

Flow lines: Microscopic striations in a coin's surface caused by the movement of metal under striking pressures. A coin's luster is caused by its flow lines; loss of luster is the result of wear to the flow lines.

Grading: The process of determining a coin's condition.

Hairlines: Fine scratches in the surface of the coin. Not to be confused with die scratches.

Hub: A right reading, positive punch used to impress incused, mirror-image dies.

Incuse: The opposite of bas-relief; design is recessed rather than raised.

Legal Tender: Currency (coin or paper money) explicitly determined by a government to be acceptable in the discharge of debts.

Legend: The inscription on a numismatic item.

Lettered edge: An inscription on a numismatic item.

Luster: Surface quality of a coin, result of light reflected from the microscopic flow lines.

Matte Proof: coins produced from dies entirely sandblasted with no mirror surfaces.

Minor coin: A silver coin of less than crown weight or any coin struck in base metal.

Mint Mark: A letter or other symbol indicating the mint of origin.

Mirror: Highly reflective, describing surface or field of a coin; usually mirror field with frosted relief.

Nickel: A silver-white metal widely used for coinage.

Obverse: the side of a coin that bears the principal design or device, often as prescribed by the issuing authority. (the head side)

Overdate: The date made by a mint engraver superimposing one or more numbers over the date on a previously dated die.

Pattern: coin like piece designed to test coin designs, mottoes or denominations proposed for adoption as a regular issue and struck in the metal to be issued for circulation but that was not adopted, at least in year of pattern issue.

Planchet: the disk of metal that when placed between the dies and struck becomes a coin. Also called flan or blank.

Proof: A coin struck on specially prepared planchets on special presses to receive the highest quality strike possible, especially for collectors.

Prooflike: An uncirculated coin having received special minting treatment and a mirror surface for the benefit of collectors with minor imperfections due to the minting process permissible.

Reeded edge: The result of a minting process that creates vertical serrations on the edge of a coin.

Restrike: A numismatic item produced from original dies and by the original issuer but later than original issues. In the case of a coin, the restrike usually occurs to fulfill a collector demand and a not a monetary requirement. Sometimes "restrike" is used in a broader sense to refer to coins restruck at a later date but not from original dies or by the original issuing authority.

Reverse: The side opposite to obverse; usually but not always the side with denomination. The side opposite the side containing the principal design. Informally the "tails"

Rim: raised border around the circumference of a coin not to be confused with the edge.

Ringed bimetallic coin: A coin composed of two parts; a holed ring into which is inserted a core. the two parts are often different colors and compositions.

Seigniorage: The profits resulting from the difference between the cost to make a coin and its face value, or its worth as money and legal tender. most coins cost less to make than their face value; when it becomes too expensive to make a certain coin, its size, weight and composition are often changed.

Series: Related coinage of the same denomination, design and type, including modifications and varieties.

Slab: A rigid plastic, sonically sealed holder, usually rectangular, especially one used by third party grading services.

Specie: In the form of coin, especially precious metal coin; paper money redeemable in coin. From the Latin meaning "in kind".

Subtype: A modification of a plastic design type that leaves the basic theme intact without major revision.

Surcharge: An extra charge placed on an item, the revenue of which is usually earmarked for a specific fund.

Trade dollar: A silver dollar coin produced for overseas market.

Type: A basic coin design, regardless of minor modifications.

Type set: A collection composed of one of each coin of a given series or period.

Uncirculated set: Set of coin, consisting of one of each coin issued for circulation. Also called Uncirculated Mint set or unofficially, a Mint set.

Upsetting mill: A machine that squeezes planchets so that they have a raised rim, in preparation for striking.

↧

Philipine Peso Story

February 5, 2013, 7:53 am

≫ Next: Tan Sri William Howard Wilcock story

≪ Previous: Coin Collecting Terminology

The Republic of the Philippines, an archipelago in the western Pacific 500 miles (805 km.) from the southeast coast of Asia, has an area of 115,830 sq. mi. (300,000 sq. km.) and a population of *64.9 million. Capital: Manila. Migration to the Philippines began about 30,000 years ago when land bridges connected the islands with Borneo and Sumatra. Ferdinand Magellan claimed the islands for Spain in 1521.

The first permanent settlement was established by Miguel de Legazpi at Cebu April 1565. Manila was established in 1572. A British expedition captured Manila and occupied the Spanish colony in October 1762, but returned it to Spain by the treaty of Paris, 1763. Spain held the Philippines despite growing Filipino nationalism until 1898 when they were ceded to the United States at the end of the Spanish-American War. The Philippines became a self-governing commonwealth under the United States in 1935, and attained independence as the Republic of the Philippines on July 4, 1946.

The peso (Filipino: piso) ( code: PHP) is the currency of the Philippines. It is subdivided into 100 centavos (Spanish) or sentimo (Filipino). Before 1967, the language used on the banknotes and coins was English and so "peso" was the name used. The language was then changed to Tagalog (the name of the Filipino language then) and so the currency as written on the banknotes and coins is piso.

Republika Ng Pilipinas Dalawang Piso

The peso is usually denoted by the symbol "₱". This symbol was added to the Unicode standard in version 3.2 and is assigned U+20B1. Due to the lack of font support, the symbol is often substituted with a simple "P", a P with one horizontal line instead of two (available as the peseta sign, U+20A7 (₧), in some fonts), as "PHP", or "PhP".

Republika Ng Pilipinas Limang Piso

The Philippine peso was established on May 1, 1852, when the Banco Español-Filipino de Isabel II a (now the Bank of the Philippine Islands) introduced notes denominated in pesos fuertes ("strong pesos", written as "PF"). Until October 17, 1854, when a royal decree confirmed Banco Español-Filipino's by-laws, the notes were in limited circulation and were usually used for bank transactions. The peso replaced the real at a rate of 8 reales = 1 peso. Until 1886, the peso circulated alongside Mexican coins, some of which were still denominated in reales and escudos (worth 2 pesos).

In 1967, the CBP adopted the Filipino language on its currency, using the name Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, and in 1969 introduced the "Pilipino Series" of notes in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 piso. The "Ang Bagong Lipunan Series" was introduced in 1973 and included 2-peso notes. A radical change occurred in 1985, when the CBP issued the "New Design Series" with 500-piso notes introduced in 1987, 1000-peso notes (for the first time) in 1991 and 200-piso notes in 2002.

10 piso

Republika Ng Pilipinas Sampung Piso

Coin production commenced in 1861 and, in 1864, the Philippines decimalized, dividing the peso into 100 centimos de peso. The peso was equal to 226⁄7 grains of gold. In 1886, Philippine colonial authorities started the gradual phase-out of all Mexican coins in circulation in the Philippines, citing that Mexican coins were by then of lesser value than the coins minted in Manila.

Republika Ng Pilipinas Limampung Piso

The coins are minted at the Security Plant Complex. Banknotes, passports, seaman's identification record books, land titles, checks, official ballots, official election returns, passbooks, postal money orders, revenue stamps, government bonds and other government documents are printed in the Security Plant Complex or the National Printing Office.

Source: Wikipedia, Krause Publication.

↧

Tan Sri William Howard Wilcock story

February 6, 2013, 4:06 am

≫ Next: Set of Australian banknotes for auction

≪ Previous: Philipine Peso Story

I assume most Malaysian banknote collector already knew that Bank Negara Malaysia 1st governor is an Australian, Tan Sri William Howard Wilcock. The basis and legislative recommendations for the set up of Central Bank of Malaysia (Bank Negara Malaysia) is a "Watson Caine Report" that was released in September 1956.

When it was decided to set up a central bank in the federation of Malaya, the governement was able to obtain the services of W.H Wilcock who was then an assistant governor of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (Australia's central bank). In 1958, W.H Wilcock came to Malaya as the banking adviser to the Government of the Federation of Malaya.

In 1959, he was appointed by the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Rahman as the first governor and chairman of the board of the central bank of Malaya (then known as Bank Negara Tanah Melayu) for a 2 years term. Government of the Federation of Malaya renew his contract later for another 6 months (he retired in 1962).

When he arrived in Malaya, Mr. H W Wilcock said his main objective were to find out how a central bank could help a people of Malaya and the future industrial development of the country.

Wilcock had always recognised the need for Bank Negara to be helmed by a local. In his inaugural speech, he said: “I appreciate deeply the honour … in making me the first governor … but I believe most fervently that the head of any country’s central bank should be a national of that country.”

On 26 January 1959, Bank Negara Malaya was established with a paid up capital of $30 million by the Government of the Federation of Malaya. Bank Negara Tanah Melayu was officially open by Yang Dipertuan Agong on 24 January 1959.

In 1962 W.H Wilcock came to Australia to fill the position of General Manager of the Note Printing Branch of the Reserve Bank of Australia and oversaw the introduction of Australia's decimal currency.

Source: New Straits Times, Buku Warisan Numismatik

Malaysia Previous Bank Governors:

Tan Sri William Howard Wilcock
Tun Ismail Mohamed Ali
Tan Sri Dato Abdul Aziz bin Haji Taha
Tan Sri Ahmad Mohd Don
Tan Sri Dato' Jaffar bin Hussein
Tan Sri Ali Abul Hassan

↧

Set of Australian banknotes for auction

February 6, 2013, 9:35 am

≫ Next: Malaysia Rare Coin Table Price

≪ Previous: Tan Sri William Howard Wilcock story

Set of privately owned complete set of original 1913 to 1914 Australian Collins/Allen Cancelled Specimen banknotes up for auction by The Rare Coin Company. The complete Aussie notes set includes eight banknotes of 10 shillings, STG1, STG5, STG10, STG20, STG50, STG100 and STG1000 denominations. The set expect to achieve a record-breaking price tag of $5.5 million. A new record for the most expensive Australian Banknotes.

10 shillings, ND (1913), red serial number M 010056

£1, ND (1913), red serial number P 008055

£5, ND (1913), black serial number U 067927

£10, ND (1913), black serial number W002238

£20, ND (1914), black serial number X 000018

£50, ND (1914), black serial number Y 005495

£100, ND (1914), dark blue serial number Z 006944

£1000, ND (1914), dark blue & black serial number 2A 048022

The specimen notes, named after the two Treasury secretaries who signed them, were printed in very limited numbers as examples of a new banknote series. Instead of being used as currency, they were cancelled and usually reserved for archiving or given to dignitaries.

On October 2009, Superb Set of The 1913–1914 Commonwealth of Australia Banknotes sold by Spinks for £350,000. The set of 6 notes were found in a chest of drawers in the North Yorkshire home of an elderly man when his home was being cleard out for an estate sale.

In 2012, The Rare Coin Company, which is selling the set found the missing STG10 and STG1000 notes.

‘‘When they were first printed they weren’t all together, they went out individual,’’ The Rare Coin Company’s managing director Rob Jackman said.

‘‘What’s happened now is that they’ve actually come together for the first time ever and makes it the complete set.

‘‘It’s the only set in private hands in the world.’’

Mr Jackman said its rarity makes it difficult to value, but he is confident it will attract offers of around $5.5 million - a far cry from its STG1186.10 face-value.

‘‘It will definitely be a world record and the most expensive set of Australian banknotes,’’ he said.

Most of the interest has come from international private buyers, particularly from Asia, he added.

The notes will be sold by private treaty ahead of this year’s 100th anniversary of the Commonwealth of Australia’s first banknotes.

Source: The Rare Coin Company, The age,

↧

Malaysia Rare Coin Table Price

February 7, 2013, 5:36 am

≫ Next: Toonie; Canada 2 dollars coin story

≪ Previous: Set of Australian banknotes for auction

Today I share with you Malaysia rare coin price and value Infographics. I am not very good at Infographics but will try to improve them next time when I have learned to make Infographics. The value that I share in here are in Malaysia Ringgit (RM). You can share the Infographic with everyone as long as you don't alter anything on the picture. I also appreciate it if you can give a linkback to my blog. Just for information, the word "rare" in here means coins that Malaysian collectors are looking for not "rare" in numismatics.

The price shown in my infographic is only for very fine gred.

You can read updated story about Malaysia rare coins in this post; Malaysia rare coins.

click picture for larger view

Here is a list of Malaysia rare coins/Key dates coins:
-Malaysia 1970 1 sen -only 2,000,000 has been mintage
-Malaysia 1976 copper 1 sen -only 100 pieces known to exist

-Malaysia 1971 10 sen -only 32,326 has been minted (this coin have 2 variety).

-Malaysia 1970 20 sen -only 1,054,000 has been minted.
-Malaysia 1994 20 sen -only 2,680,339 has been minted.

-Malaysia 1969 50 sen -only 2,000,000 has been minted.
-Malaysia 1967, 1968 & 1969 50 sen without security edge.
-Malaysia 1995 50 sen -only 1,650,423 has been minted.

For their price and value, you can read about it in my blog; www.malaysiancoin.com.

For anyone who are looking for the old Malaysia Rare Coin Table Price, I still show them in this post. For your information, this is an old Malaysia coin price. I wrote it in February 2009. The price is according to Malaysia, Brunei and Singapore Standard Catalog (18th edition) by Steven Tan.

↧

Toonie; Canada 2 dollars coin story

February 8, 2013, 11:01 am

≫ Next: Loonie; Canada dollar coin

≪ Previous: Malaysia Rare Coin Table Price

Do you know that there is a coin called Toonie? It is Canada 2 dollars bi-metallic circulation coin which bears an image of a polar bear. The name do not came from that polar bear instead come from Canada one dollar coin "loonie". The Loonie name come from The Great Northern Diver (a bird), known in North America as the Common Loon (Gavia immer), is a large member of the loon, or diver, family of birds. The Toonie name come as it is a two dollar coin. "Toonie" is a word combination from the number "two" and the loonie, Canada's one-dollar coin.

Toonie; Canada 2 dollar coin

On the reverse show an image of a polar bear, by Campbellford, Ontario artist Brent Townsend.

The obverse has a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. It is the only coin in Canada to have the "ELIZABETH II / D.G. REGINA" in a different typeface; it is also the only coin to consistently bear its issue date on the obverse.

The Canada 2 dollar coin, commonly called Toonie, was introduced on 19 February 1996 by Public Works minister Diane Marleau. The Toonie is a bi-metallic coin and Canada adopted the patented technology to make these coins from Italy. The engineer, and head of the Italian Mint, Dr. Nicola Ielpo, patented the technology of interlocking two metals in coins in 1990.

The Toonie, is occasionally spelled "twonie" or "twoonie", but Canadian newspapers and the Royal Canadian Mint use the "toonie" spelling. When the coin was introduced a number of nicknames were suggested. Some of the early ones included the bearie (analogous to the Loonie and its loon), the bearly, the deuce and the doubloonie (a play on "double Loonie" and the former Spanish doubloon coin).

The name Toonie became so widely accepted that in 2006 the Royal Canadian Mint secured the rights to it. A competition to name the bear resulted in the name "Churchill", a reference both to the common polar bear sightings in Churchill, Manitoba and Winston Churchill.

The New $2 Toonie Coin

On 10 April 2012, the Royal Canadian Mint announced new design changes to the loonie and toonie, which include new security features. The composition of the inner core switched to aluminium bronze coated with multi-ply plated brass, and the outer ring switched to steel coated with multi-ply plated nickel. The weight dropped from 7.30 to 6.92 grams, and the thickness changed from 1.8 to 1.75 millimetres.

Like the new one-dollar circulation coins, Canada's new two-dollar circulation coins are manufactured using the Mint's Multi-Ply Plated Steel technology.

While the new two-dollar coin maintains the traditional "Polar Bear" design, there are three visible changes:

The addition of two laser marks of maple leaves, each within a circle, at the bottom of the coin's reverse – i.e. on the side with the Polar Bear design.
A virtual image of two maple leaves will appear at the top of the coin – a different image is produced as the coin is turned from side to side. The virtual image is produced by engraving different patterns on each side of two-sided grooves on the face of the coin.
Edge-lettering of the words "CANADA" and "2 DOLLARS" are engraved along the coin's outer edge.

↧

Loonie; Canada dollar coin

February 11, 2013, 5:43 am

≫ Next: Where to buy Kijang Emas Gold Bullion Coin

≪ Previous: Toonie; Canada 2 dollars coin story

Do you know how Canada Loonie get its name? Loonie; Canada dollar coin were introduced in 1987, the gold coloured coin get its name from a common loon The Great Northern Loon (Gavia immer) or The Great Northern Diver. The name "diver" comes from the habit of catching fish while the birds swim along the surface calmly and then suddenly plunged into the water. The name "loon" is a reference to the bird's clumsiness on land, and is derived from Scandinavian words for lame, such as Icelandic "lúinn" and Swedish "lam". This diver is well known in Canada.

The coin reverse show images of a common loon with the word "CANADA" & "DOLLAR", mint year below by designer Robert-Ralph Carmichael. On the coin obverse show portrait of Queen Elizabeth II.

The design for the coins intended to be a "voyageur theme" similar to Canada previous one dollar coin. The master dies were lost during transit to the Royal Canadian Mint in Winnipeg. To avoid counterfeiting, a different design was used.

On 30 June 1987, the Loonie coin was released for circulation. The $1 note remained in issue and in circulation along with the coin for the next two years, until the note was finally withdrawn on 30 June 1989.

When introduced, loonie coins were made of Aureate, a bronze-electroplated nickel combination. Beginning in 2007, some loonie blanks also began to be produced with a cyanide-free brass plating process. In the spring of 2012, the composition switched to multi-ply brass-plated steel.

On 15 March 2006, the Royal Canadian Mint secured the rights to the name "Loonie" for their one dollar coin.

The name Toonie for Canada two dollars coin came from a word combination of the number "two" and the loonie.

The New $1 Coin

Instead of traditional alloys, and like the new two-dollar circulation coins, Canada new one dollar circulation coins are manufactured using the same Multi-Ply Plated Steel technology found in our current 25-cent, 10-cent, 5-cent and 1-cent circulation coins This patented process covers a steel core with alternating layers of metals such as copper, nickel and brass. The resulting coins are more economical to produce, durable and secure.

While the new one-dollar circulation coin maintains the traditional "Loon" design, there is one visible change:

A single laser mark of a maple leaf positioned within a circle on the coin's reverse – i.e. around the Loon design. This laser mark is produced during the striking of the coins using a contrasting pattern micro-engraved on the coin die itself.

Specifications:

Diameter: 26.5mm

Edge Height: 1.95mm

Weight: 6.27g

Composition: Multi-ply brass plated steel

↧

Where to buy Kijang Emas Gold Bullion Coin

February 12, 2013, 4:29 am

≫ Next: Facebook Numismatic Auction

≪ Previous: Loonie; Canada dollar coin

Where to buy Kijang Emas Bullion? Can I buy Kijang Emas directly from Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM)? Many newbies in Gold Bullion Buying and Selling don't know that Kijang Emas can only be bought from certain Maybank Branches. Kijang Emas Gold Bullion Coins are Malaysia's own gold bullion coins. Malaysia is the 12th country in the world to issue its own gold bullion coin. The Kijang gold bullion produce by Kilang Wang Bank Negara with 99.99% Gold Purity. The bullion are available in 1 oz (RM200 Face Value), 1/2 oz (RM100 Face Value) and 1/4 oz (RM50 Face Value) size. The Kijang Emas is priced at the daily gold market share. The price is quoted daily and pegged to the international gold price to facilitate buying and selling.

The design on the obverse of each coin depicts a barking deer - "kijang" in its natural habitat in the Malaysian jungle.

The reverse features the hibiscus, the national flower of Malaysia.

For Kijang Emas price you can check Here.

You can purchased The Kijang Bullion individually or as a set at 32 selected Maybank branches. It will be better to called the nearest Maybank in this list since it a little bit hard to find Kijang Emas. Called and booked the Kijang Emas, make sure you go to Maybank and pay the selling price on the same day if the Kijang is available for you. Its a bit hard to find it and the price outside Maybank maybe a little bit high from the market price if your Kijang Gold coin still in the original packet. People buy and collect them and most probably don't want to sell them in the future. The only best place to buy Kijang Emas that I knew is Maybank HQ but you need to be there early morning (if it is available), when they just start to open the bank.

Here are 32 Maybank branches that sell Kijang Emas bullion:

KUALA LUMPUR MAIN BRANCH (Maybank HQ)
1st Floor
Menara Maybank
100 Jalan Tun Perak
50050 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-2074 7956 / 03-2074 7037, Fax: 03-2070 2611

BANGSAR BARU BRANCH
66, 68 and 70 Jalan Maarof
Bangsar Baru
59100 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-2284 6379 / 03-2284 6377. Fax: 03-2282 3132

BUKIT BINTANG BRANCH
G-Floor Bangunan Yayasan Selangor
Jalan Bukit Bintang
55100 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-2142 8268 / 03-2141 4934, Fax: 03-2142 9525

KUALA SELANGOR BRANCH
11 & 13, Jalan Raja Jalil
45000 Kuala Selangor
Tel 03-3289 1754; Fax 03-3289 3709

PETALING JAYA MAIN BRANCH
50-52, Jalan Sultan (52/4)
46200 Petaling Jaya

SHAH ALAM MAIN BRANCH
10, Persiaran Perbandaran
Section 14
40000 Shah Alam
Tel:03-55199289

JOHOR BHARU MAIN BRANCH
Lot 1-22, Level 1, 2 and 3
Johor Bharu City Centre
106 - 108, Jalan Wong Ah Fook
80000 Johor Bharu
Tel: 07-219 3666 / 07-219 3516 / 07-219 3514

MUAR BRANCH
104 Jalan Abdullah
80400 Muar
Tel: 06-952 1545

MELAKA MAIN BRANCH
114 and 114A Graha Peladang
Jalan Hang Tuah
75300 Melaka
Tel: 06-282 2214; Tel: 06-282 2343

JALAN MUNSHI ABDULLAH
BRANCH
171-175 Jalan Munshi Abdullah
75000 Melaka
Tel: 06-284 0312; Fax: 06-284 0625

ALOR STAR BRANCH
1535, Jalan Sultan Badlishah
05000 Alor Star
Tel: 04-772 9241

PULAU LANGKAWI BRANCH
5-11, Jalan Pandak Mayah 1
Pusat Bandar Kuah
07000 Langkawi
Tel: 04-966 6208

SUNGAI PETANI BRANCH
Central Square Complex
23 Jalan Kampung Baru
08000 Sungai Petani
Tel: 04-421 6877, Tel: 04-423 3842, Tel: 04-421 2512, Tel: 04-421 0290

BUTTERWORTH BRANCH
4277 Bagan Luar Road
12000 Butterworth
Tel: 04-3322901

PENANG MAIN OFFICE BRANCH
9, Lebuh Union
10200 Penang
Tel: 04-261 1266

KUALA LIPIS BRANCH
92A and 92B Jalan Besar
27200 Kuala Lipis

KUANTAN MAIN BRANCH
UMNO Building
1 Jalan Hj Abdul Aziz
25000 Kuantan

MENTAKAB BRANCH
1 Jalan Haji Kassim
28409 Mentakab
Tel 09-277 1151

IPOH MAIN BRANCH
Bangunan Mayban Trust
28 Jalan Tun Sambanthan
30000 Ipoh
Tel: 05-241 2131

TANJONG MALIM BRANCH
Jalan Chong Ah Peng
35900 Tanjong Malim

TELUK INTAN BRANCH
43-45, Medan Mahkota
Jalan Ah Cheong
36000 Telok Intan
Tel : 605-621 3360

SEREMBAN BRANCH
166-169, Jalan Dato' Bandar Tunggal
70000 Seremban
Tel: 06-762 5242

KANGAR BRANCH
Upper Grd. Floor, Menara KWSP
Jalan Bukit Lagi
01000 Kangar
Tel : 04-9764846, 04-9763419

KOTA BHARU BRANCH
3880-E, Jalan Mahmood
15200 Kota Bahru
Tel: 09-741 9584 / 09-741 9581

KUALA TERENGGANU BRANCH
92 Jalan Sultan Ismail
20200 Kuala Terenggganu
Tel: +609-624 6758

KARAMUNSING BRANCH
Bangunan Maybank
No. 1, Lorong Kemajuan
Karamunsing
88000 Kota Kinabalu
Tel: 088-252 185 / 088-233 913, Fax: 088-252 190

TAWAU BRANCH
262-264, Fajar Complex
Jalan Mahkamah
91000 Tawau
Tel: 089-763 943 / 089-762 304, Fax: 089-763 355

LABUAN BRANCH
Lot E005, Ground Floor Podium
Financial Park Labuan Complex
Jalan Merdeka
87000 Wilayah Persekutuan Labuan
Tel: 087-582 388 / 087-443 888

SANDAKAN BRANCH
Lot 28, 29 and 30 Block HS-3
Sandakan Harbour Square
90000 Sandakan
Tel: 089-213 171 / 089-213 172, Fax: 089-272 979

MIRI BRANCH
Lot 112, Jalan Bendahara
98008 Miri
Tel: 085-417 766 / 085-412 282, Fax: 085-418 450

SIBU BRANCH
35, 37 and 39, Jalan Kampung Nyabor
96000 Sibu
Tel: 084-338 868 / 084-332 081, Fax: 084-311 060

WISMA SATOK BRANCH
Level 1 Wisma Satok
Jalan Satok
93400 Kuching
Tel: 082-415 603 / 082-428 568,Fax: 082-250 299

↧

Facebook Numismatic Auction

February 12, 2013, 4:33 am

≫ Next: British Borneo Book

≪ Previous: Where to buy Kijang Emas Gold Bullion Coin

A member message me in email few weeks ago, asking about Facebook Numismatic Auction. "I heard, you can find item cheaper then market value in Facebook but I don't know where to find a place like that. I heard you can bid for banknote and coin cheaper by 30% from market value. Please, if you know such place, reply my email". In my email, I told him I will reply in my blog. Facebook Auction is a bit new in Malaysia but its already a phenomenon. Its help some dealers to increase their sales and certainly are helping small time traders to sell their item.

Before this, most of the sellers just display their item picture with the condition, price or phone number in a group or pages related to numismatic, hoping someone will asked about their item. The scenario change last year when someone try to sell item using auction style. One active group who using this method is Kedai Hantu Duit 2. I had been following this group since last year and they're the most active group in Malaysian Facebook scene. Their group have 1,036 members right now and over 100 active members almost daily. The group have 2 admins who actively organizing quiz with free gift to their members. The admins also very strict on their membership. Any members who are giving problem will be remove instantly from the group. Originally, the group main purpose is to share numismatic knowledge among its members but it has became an auction place for Malaysian collectors. If you want to be a member of this group, you need to ask any of your friends who are already in this group to add you.

At this moment, the group admin only allowed members to post 3 items for auction a day. The admin highly suggest for you to gain reputation first before you post an auction in the group. For newbies, you're only allowed to post an auction with your picture, identity card or driving license attach in the auction picture. Its also highly suggested by the group admin, every members must put watermark on the auction pictures (your name or phone number). The admins are watching their rules almost every hour and any members who don't follow any of these will get a warning. If they're any scam cases or any members who don't honour their bid, you need to alert everyone as soon as possible.

What do you need to post in your auction:

A clear picture of your banknote or coin.
Condition of your item.
Your item details (printer, years etc)
Your auction start price.
Your auction reserve price (if you want to put it in reserve price).
Date and time of your auction will start.
Date and time of your auction will closed.
Your phone number.
Who will pay for postage.
How much the postage will cost.
Any other terms and condition.

When the auction time almost over, it is highly suggested you start a countdown of the auction time. Winners and auctioneers will message each other in Facebook to conclude the deal.

Congratulations to the admin of this group for actively promoting numismatic hobbies among Malaysian.

Published 31 January 2012.

↧