The Encyclopedia of Dry Rubber Coupons, Petrol Coupons, Loan Bonds, Rubber Share Certificates of Malaya, Ceylon, Thailand and Netherlands East Indies

The Encyclopedia of Dry Rubber Coupons of Malaya, Ceylon, Thailand and Netherlands East Indies, Petrol Coupons, Loan Bonds & Rubber Share Certificates of Malaya 

by Saran Singh


Recently on December' 2016, an Encyclopedia of Dry Rubber Export Coupons Malaya, Ceylon and Netherlands East Indies (1922-1942) was authored & published by Saran Singh of Malaysia. This encyclopedia also includes Rubber Loan Bonds, Rubber Share Certificates and Petrol Ration Coupons used during the early 20th century in Malaya. It has 332 pages of high quality photographs, historical information and most importantly, numismatic facts. This Encyclopedia is a MUST have for any collector of the above items, and also for history buffs who love information on Rubber during the early 20th Century. This book is definitely a significant upgrade to the original book written by Saran Singh in 1990 with the title "Malaya and Sarawak Rubber Export Coupons 1922 - 1942" which had 39 pages.

Only 699 copies of this Encyclopedia have been printed, and each one has been serialized. 
Prior to the official launch on January 8' 2017, I was told that 50% of the printed copies have already been sold.

Price of this Encyclopedia is USD$140.00 plus postage. 
Send an email to "dalwinder@cox.net" if you want to purchase this Encyclopedia. 
I will explain details of payment and shipping preferences.

The Encyclopedia starts off with the birth of the Rubber Industry in South East Asia, starting from the arrival of the rubber seeds in England, Ceylon and Malaya. It explains how the rubber industry had grown, and with a detail write up of Loan Bonds and Share Certificates used during this expansion period in the early 19th century. Then starting 1920's all the way to the end of World War 2, and early 1950's, the rubber industry was declining. Rubber Export Coupons were introduced as a way to control the oversupply of rubber in this region. This encyclopedia shows in very detail all the different Rubber Export Coupons issued in Malaya, Ceylon and Netherlands East Indies. The high quality of photography shows very clearly how each item looked like. Also included is the rarity scale of these items. The most interesting item for me was the Addendum, which introduced the Rubber Export Coupons used in Thailand in 1950's. I had never even heard of them before.

This encyclopedia also goes into details on Petrol Ration Coupons, Government Loan Bonds ,War Loan Bonds and Rubber Share Certificates issued in Malaya. All are very desirable collectibles, and this book definitely helps in building some early knowledge with the information provided, prior to spending a great amount of money in this hobby. Definitely a 4 STAR rating for this encyclopedia.
I would say its probably one of the best Numismatics books written by Saran Singh. The only other equivalent would be Saran Singh's much desired and sought after "The Encyclopedia of The Coins of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei 1400 - 1986" 1st Edition, which now has become a reference for many numismatics and historians around the world.

MALAYSIA – Commemorative Medal – 11th April 2012

                 MALAYSIA  –   Commemorative Medal  – 11^th April 2012. 

               Installation of His Majesty the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong XIV 

                             (the 14^th Paramount Ruler of Malaysia).

                              by Saran Singh AMN, AMP (PNM, TNM)

His Majesty the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong XIV, Almu’tusimu Billahi Muhibbuddin Tuanku Al Haj Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah Ibni Almarhum Sultan Badlishah, the Sultan of the State of Kedah, was installed as the 14^th Paramount Ruler of Malaysia. His Majesty is the only Ruler of a State to have been appointed as the King of Malaysia for the second time. His Majesty had earlier served as the Fifth Paramount Ruler of Malaysia from 21.9.1970 to 20.9.1975. In Malaysia, the Paramount Ruler (King) serves for a period of five years after which the Sultan of another State in Malaysia is appointed by the Conference of Rulers, to be the next King.

The official installation ceremony was held on 11^th April 2012 at the new palace in Kuala Lumpur. To commemorate this historic event, a set of three silver commemorative medals were issued in a presentation teak box. These medals which are of pure silver, bear the denominations 5 Dirhans (two different portraits) and 10 Dirhams with the Date 11^th April 2012. The technical specifications of these medals are as follows:

5 Dirhams  - 11^th April 2012. Silver .999 fine, Weight: 14.875 grammes, Diameter: 32 m.m., Edge: Milled. Obverse: Portrait of His Highness the 14^th Paramount Ruler of Malaysia and the denomination – 5 Dirham. Reverse: Crest of Malaysia and date.

5 Dirhams  - 11^th April 2012. Silver .999 fine, Weight: 14.875 grammes, Diameter: 32 m.m., Edge: Milled. Obverse: Portrait of the 14^th Queen of Malaysia, Seri Paduka Baginda Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Hajah Haminah and the denomination – 5 Dirham. Reverse: Crest of Malaysia and date.

10 Dirhams  -  11^th April 2012. Silver .999 fine. Weight: 29.75 grammes. Diameter: 38 m.m. Edge: Milled. Obverse: Portraits of the 14^th King and Queen of Malaysia and the denomination. Reverse: Crest of Malaysia and date.

These three pieces of 5 and 10 Dirham silver medals are issued in a specially made presentation teak box. Mintage: 888 pieces with Certificate. These set of three medals were issued to some of the important invited officials and guests (VVIPs) who attended the installation ceremony of the XIV Paramount Ruler. The 10 Dirhams medal, which comes in a presentation box, was issued as a single piece to other lower ranking invited officials and guests (VIPs).  

Presentation Box

The First Gold Dinars of the State of Kelantan. Hijra 1437 ( 2006 )

                     The First Gold Dinars of the State of Kelantan. 

                                              Hijra 1437 ( 2006 )

                                 by Saran Singh AMN, AMP (PNM, TNM)

The State of Kelantan, Malaysia issued its first Gold Dinar coins on 20^th September 2006. These Gold Dinars are not the legal tender currency of Malaysia. However, they may be used as gifts for birthdays, weddings, exchanged for goods on the basis of barter trading or just kept as souvenirs. These Gold Dinars are minted according to the standard of Caliph Umar Al-Khattab.

Kelantan’s first gold Dinar coins comprise of the ½ Dinar and 1 Dinar and are dated Hijra 1427 (2006). The technical details of these coins are as follows:

½ Dinar H 1427 ( 2006 ).Gold 91.7 % fine (22 Karat), Weight: 2.12 grammes, Diameter: 20 mm, Edge: Plain. Mintage:  not available.   

1 Dinar H 1427 ( 2006 ). Gold 91.7 % fine (22 Karat). Weight: 4.25 grammes, Diameter: 23 mm. Edge: Plain. Mintage:  not available.

Obverse: the minaret tower of the Al-Muhammadi mosque in Kota Bahru, State of Kelantan. This mosque was built in 1867 during the reign of Sultan Muhammad II (1830 – 1886) and is one of the oldest mosques in the State of Kelantan. This mosque underwent extensive renovation in 1922 when the earlier wooden structure was changed to concrete It was officially declared open by KDYMM Baginda Sultan Ismail  ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Muhammad IV on 31^st July 1931and its name was changed to Masjid Muhammadi..Crest of the State of Kelantan. Hijra Year 1427 in English.

Reverse: In Arabic, “ Mas Dinar Kelantan. Hijra Year 1427 ”.

Produced and Minted by: Mariwasa Kraftangan Sdn Bhd, Kuala Kangsar, State of Perak.

Issued by: Permodalan Kelantan Berhad, Kota Bahru. 

Obverse

Reverse

Netherlands East Indies - Japanese occupation Coins for the Island of Java 1 Cent, 5 Cents, 10 Cents, Year Date 2603 (=1943) , Year Date 2604 (=1944)

Netherlands East Indies - Japanese occupation Coins for the Island of Java                 1 Cent, 5 Cents, 10 Cents, Year Date 2603 (=1943)

1 Cent, 10 Cents, Year Date 2604 (=1944)

by Saran Singh  AMN, AMP, PNM

The Netherlands East Indies (now known as Indonesia), comprised of the Islands of Sumatra, Island of Java , part of Borneo and New Guinea, as well as numerous smaller Islands. In early January 1942, during the Second World War, the Japanese Army invaded the Netherlands East Indies (N. E. I.). On the 9^th March 1942, the Dutch authorities finally surrendered, to the more superior Japanese forces. 

The Japanese Notes for the Netherlands East Indies were put into circulation as legal tender, and the earlier Dutch currency was discontinued.

In the Japanese Year 2603 (=1943), the Mint (most probably, the Osaka Mint), minted 1 Cent, 5 Cents and 10 Cents coins, for circulation in the Island of Java. In the following Japanese Year 2604 (=1944), only the 1 Cent and 10 Cents coins were struck for circulation. The 5 Cents 2603 (=1943) coin remained only at the PATTERN stage, and did not go into production. These coins all bear the motive of the puppet, which was passed down, from the early influence of the powerful Hindu Kingdom of the Sri Vijaya Empire of Java, which existed from the end of the  7^th Century to the end of the13^th Century. It was subsequently replaced by the powerful Majapahit Empire of Java around 1293, which lasted until around 1500. 

 It is believed that the above mentioned coins may not have reached the Island of Java, due to shipping difficulties. By 1943, the Allied Forces (America, Britain, Holland and Australia) navy and planes, kept surveillance on enemy movements, in the shipping lanes in the South China Sea. This made it difficult for the Japanese transport vessels to transport goods easily, without hindrance. The war came to an end for Japanese occupied South East Asia, when the Japanese Government finally surrendered on 15^th August 1945.   

   

It is not certain if the above coins actually circulated in the Island of Java. Very few of these coins have turned up in the last three decades. The 10 Cents 2604 (=1944) does turn up occasionally. The 1 Cent coins are extremely difficult to locate. I know of four pieces of the 10 Cents Year Date 2604, which have been sold in the last 5 years in Malaysia. One of these coins was only in Very Fine with rust marks. I have been fortunate in obtaining a piece of the 1 Cent Year Date 2604 in uncirculated condition (NGC Grade MS66). I had to wait for nearly 40 years to finally lay my hands on this piece, which finally made its way to my home, from an old private collection.

            N.E.I.  -  J.I.M.     1 Cent 2603 (=1943),   1 Cent 2604 (=1944)

Obverse: Head of the Native Puppet. Year Date below. The word in Japanese Characters “Dai Nihon” (Great Japan)

Reverse: The denomination, figure “ 1 “ surrounded by an ornamental design

Edge: Plain,   Weight: 0.6 grams,    Diameter: 16 m.m.,    Composition: Aluminum 

            N.E.I.  -  J.I.M.     5 Cents 2603 (=1943) PATTERN.

Obverse: Native Puppet

Reverse: The denomination, figure “ 5 “ with the Year Date “2603” (=1943). The word in Japanese Characters “Dai Nihon” (Great Japan)

Edge: Plain,   Weight: 0.8 grams,   Diameter: 19 m.m.,   Composition: Aluminum

            N.E.I. - J.I.M.     10 Cents 2603 (=1943),  10 Cents 2604 (=1944)

Obverse: Native Puppet

Reverse: The denomination, figure “ 10 ” with the Year Date below. The word in Japanese Characters “Dai Nihon” (Great Japan)

Edge: Plain, Weight: 3.5 grams, Diameter: 22 m.m., Composition: Tin (0.930%), Zinc (0.07 %)

Reference: “World War II Remembered - History in your hands - a numismatic study”    

by C. Frederick Schwan and Joseph E. Boling. Published by BNR Press, Ohio, U.S.A. (1995).

MALAYA - THE RAJAH HITAM COCONUT ESTATE - DIVIDEND COUPON 1949

MALAYA  - THE RAJAH HITAM COCONUT ESTATE - DIVIDEND COUPON 1949 by Saran Singh AMN, AMP, PNM

The Rajah Hitam Coconut Estate, Limited was incorporated in the Strait Settlements around October1911. The Head Office of the Estate was established in Singapore. A branch office was later set up in Kuala Lumpur. Its main focus was on planting coconuts and producing kopra (copra) and coconut oil.  By the end of 1913, it had planted  close to 1000 acres of coconut trees in Peninsula Malaya. 

Malaya was well known for its fertile land. Hence plantations were developing at a fast pace in the early 1900’s. Most of these Estates or Plantations focused on rubber, timber , coconut and  palm oil. As these plantations expanded, they eventually started to give good financial returns.  Some of these entrepreneur plantations offered shares for sale to the public as a means of collecting funds. Thus the  investment arm of the business continued to grow. In return for the share holders investments in these company’s, attractive dividends were offered at the end of each financial year. 

The Rajah Hitam Coconut Estate, Limited, is one example of a very successful plantation. It obviously had issued shares to its investors as part of its initiative to expand and had offered dividends, in return for their investment and confidence in the company. 

On 10^th June, 1949, an advertisement was placed in the Singapore News Straits Times newspaper by The Rajah Hitam Coconut Estate, Ltd, Kuala Lumpur. The 34^th Annual General Meeting of the Company was to be held at No:1, The Embankment , Kuala Lumpur, on Friday 17^th June, 1949. The annual general meeting had five main objectives, one being the declaration of dividends for the company. 

There was a 15% dividend being proposed to be paid out on 24^th June, 1949. The transfer books of the company were to be closed between 17^th to the 24^th June, 1949 for the purpose of preparing Dividend Warrants for the Nominative Shares holders. Bearer Warrant holders were requested to present their Coupon No : 13 to the Chartered Bank of India, Australia & China , Kuala Lumpur branch for the receipt of payment for the above said dividends. 

Illustrated below is a photograph of the Coupon No : 13.

Obverse : The Rajah HItam Coconut Estate Limited (incorporated in the Straits Settlements)

                  Coupon No : 13 for dividend on 100 shares.  Warrant to Bearer No : 1207.

Reverse : Stamp of “Chartered Bank, Kuala Lumpur” with date  27^th June,1949.                 Notation of “Paid” written, indicating bearer had collected his dividends 1949 from the bank.