RING CURRENCY: August 2010

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.)

CLASSIFICATION OF RING CURRENCY

There is no known classification of the tin Ring Currency. In my yet to be published book entitled The Forgotten Tin Ring Currency of the Malay Peninsula a detailed classification of the currency is made based on research carried out.

The Ring Currency can be classified into the following broad categories..

TYPE A - Ring(s) at the base of the figure.

TYPE B - Figure in between rings.

TYPE C - Ring(s) without figure.

Note - Sub-classification of the above will be revealed in future postings on the blog.

Saturday, August 14, 2010

BROKEN ITEM VS. COMPLETE ITEM 1

This broken item is Ring Currency Type B i.e. figure in between rings.

The complete version of this item is as presented below.

These items were acquired through a well known dealer in Indonesia. They were presumably found in Indonesia, excavated at a site or extracted from the bottom of a river in Sumatera. A few of these items are known to exist.

This item is a bird in between rings (Type B). Looking at the head of the figure, one may argue that the figure is a cockerel but based on my knowledge it is not. This is because cockerel designs in Ring Currency is distinct and has certain similarity in design feature. This will be explored in future postings.

I find it fascinating to have certain broken items added into my collection and to discover a complete version of similar item months and years later and, to find out their true complete form in the complete item.

Friday, August 6, 2010

AROUND THE NET - KEDAH TIN COCKERELS PERCHED ON RINGS

Here is a numismatic blog (in Malay) with mention on Ring Currency Fazil Numismatic and Philatelic Society.

Preface

Welcome to my web log or blog. Not much is known about the tin Ring Currency and tin Animal Currency of the Malay Peninsula. These two branches of numismatics of the Malay Peninsula have long faded into the background of numismatics history. Literature on these subjects are extremely limited and the few that exist were not widely published and have been out of publication for quite some time now. As a researching collector this blog is my platform to share my knowledge in this subject matter that is fascinatingly unfolding with every new item I add into my collection and as I venture deeper into my research. It is my fervent hope that this blog will be a useful source of information to create fresh interest in these mysterious branches of numismatics hence saving them from being forever forgotten.

This blog is being developed together with two other blogs purposely created to provide separation between distinct subjects. All the blogs were created for the same purpose and objective. Contributions toward better understanding of this subject matter are most welcomed and appreciated.

Unless otherwise stated the items included here are from my private collection. Images are not to be reproduced without permission.

The items in my collection to me are not simply early money or relics, they are magnificent work of art beautifully crafted a few hundred years ago.

Let's journey back into time and once again, welcome to my blog.

Thank you for your visit.

RING CURRENCY

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