The Katun (tin cash) was a common currency of Johor used over an extended period of three centuries from 16th century to the 18th century. However, I believe the period of usage for the Katun coins could have possibly started earlier than the 16th. century. This is based on unique tin katun coins in my collection that can be related to other issues of early tin currency items.
There are many varieties of the Katun coins and they can be generally categorized by the shape; circular, hexagonal and octagonal. Major Fred Pridmore in his article The Native Coinages of the Malay Peninsula - The Malaccan Group - Johor in Numismatic Circulars LXXVII, part 2 - 5 published by Spink and Sons Ltd. London in 1969 separated the Katun coins into a few categories.
Group A - Bar Type
Class I - Inscribed with legend or part of a legend on obverse and reverse
Class II - A large raised dot or pusat (a Malay word) in the centre of the raised bar. Some show traces of a legend but others appear to be uninscribed.
Group B - Round or Irregular Shapes
Class III - A remarkably uniform group both in size and style. The principal series is usually clearly stamped with th title MALIK AL-'ADIL, but some show portions of other inscriptions.
Group C - Hexagonal Shape
Class IV - Inscription on obverse and reverse
Class V - Pusat or centrally raised dot.
Group D - Octagonal Shape
Class VI - Large coins inscribed on obverse and reverse.
Class VII - Large coins, uninscribed with a pusat.
Class VII - Coins inscribed with MALIK AL-'ADIL.
In the following posts we will look at the details of each of the Class of the Katun coins as categorized by Pridmore.
Showing posts with label Spink. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Spink. Show all posts
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Thursday, June 17, 2010
SPINK AND TIN ANIMAL CURRENCY
A few years ago I tried contacting Spink Singapore wanting to find out whether they could help me with materials for my research, the many calls made were unanswered and the message left on the machine did not help either. Not willing to give up, I emailed Spink London. To cut the story short, the email was responded by not entertained, if you know what I mean. Last May when I was notified that someone from Spink London will be coming to town in June I jumped at the opportunity to meet. Through email I was told that the market for the items that I collect is thin and that they are not feasible to be put through auction. I was still eager to meet if possible but I would definitely understand if my request got turned down. Although I did not put much hope with "I will try to give you a ring when I arrive in Kuala Lumpur" a 30-second-call to let me know that the meeting cannot take place would be nice.
Anyway, this is not about me not being happy with Spink, its about the interest in tin Animal Currency being dead and buried in certain quarters. To be fair, this is much expected, with not many items found and made available for collectors these past few decades there is nothing to stir the interest let alone make the market interested or excited about tin Animal Currency.
Anyway, this is not about me not being happy with Spink, its about the interest in tin Animal Currency being dead and buried in certain quarters. To be fair, this is much expected, with not many items found and made available for collectors these past few decades there is nothing to stir the interest let alone make the market interested or excited about tin Animal Currency.
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