THE MALAY ARCHIPELAGO

Drawn and engraved by John Rapkin (Published by The London Printing & Publishing Company about 1856).

Royalty free map available at Steve Bartrick Antique Prints and Maps.

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.)


Saturday, June 12, 2010

DISCOVERY - HOARD OF MALAY STATES COINS FOUND AT TANJUNG PINANG, RIAU ISLAND, INDONESIA (PART 2)

Here are the images presented by Kassim in his article. The condition of the images are not so good due to poor source condition. These items do not come with details such as size and weight.

Image 1

Image 2

Image 3

Image 1 - 3 - Main trunks from the Terengganu coin tree.

A coin tree cast in the shape of a sun ray using the "lost wax" method.

Image 1

Image 2

Image 3

Image 1 - 3, described as - Perak/Selangor "cockerel" animal Currency.


A 17th. century Kedah cockerel coin with two rings.

Four items of Ring Currency described as - Kedah one cent 'cockerel' animal currency.
Note that the items were described as "animal currency" despite the fact that they do not have any any animal feature in their designs.

An elephant described as - Perak/Selangor 'elephant' animal currency.
It looks like there is a stringing hole at the back of the elephant, such a feature on elephants is extremely rare. Except for the above item, I do not know of any other elephant with a stringing hole.


Chinese cash tin coin with branch.


A strange looking item described as - Currency in the form of a goat.
(Poor image due to poor source condition)

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