MALAYA – JAPANESE OCCUPATION. PATTERN
COINS (MALAYSIA)
20 CENTS 2602
=(1942 )
by Saran Singh
AMN, AMP, PNM
During
the Second World War, the Japanese invaded Northern Malaya on 8th
December 1941. Nine weeks later, Singapore fell to the Japanese on 15th
February 1942. The Japanese immediately issued their new currency notes,
popularly known now as “Banana Money”. These notes had been printed by them
earlier in Japan, and were now brought into Malaya by the invading forces. No
coins for circulation were issued by the Japanese for use in Malaya, which they
had renamed “MALAI”.
The
existence of the 20 Cents Pattern coins, bearing the Japanese Year Date
2602 ( = 1942 ), was not known until 1983. These coins were first published in
“Zuroku Nippon No Kahei” (Japanese Coins and Notes in Pictures) – Coins of the
Pacific War Page 18 No.218 and 219, which was printed by the Bank of Japan,
Tokyo. These Pattern coins were subsequently listed in the “Standard Catalogue
of World Coins”, by Chester L. Krause and Clifford Mishler”, 1984 edition.
The
unusual thing about the above two Pattern coins is that they have the word
“MALAYSIA’’, on the obverse with the Japanese year date 2602 ( = 1942 ). This
immediately caused grave doubts, as firstly, the year date ( 1942 ) was too
early for the word “Malaysia” , which was then not in existence. Secondly, the
question on everyone’s mind was, why has the existence of these coins remained
unknown until only now i.e. 1983. “Malaysia” as we know it today, was the
brainchild of the first Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman, who is popularly
known as the ‘Father of Malaysia’. Malaysia was formed on 16th
September 1963, and comprised of the Federation of Malaya, Sabah (formerly,
State of North Borneo and Labuan), State of Sarawak and the Island of
Singapore. Singapore left Malaysia on 9th August 1965 to become an
Independent Republic. Basing on this information, it was difficult to believe
that the above Japanese Pattern coins struck in 2602 ( = 1942 ), could
legitimately bear the words ”MALAYSIA” on the obverse, 21 years before Malaysia
was actually formed. This abnormality, started a long series of letters by the
writer, to various authorities, to seek
further clarification on the above matter.
The
above matter was also taken up with the Bank of Japan, Tokyo. A reply was
received in August 1985, to the effect that “existing
information on these 20 Cents Pattern coins was very scanty. It is presumed
that 16mm and 25mm coins were struck by the Mint Bureau in Osaka.
However, they were minted on a trial basis, and were not officially issued. Malaysia
represented the general name of the inhabitants of your country, at that time”.
Note: In 1942, this Country was known as MALAYA, and not MALAYSIA.
As
the above reply was not satisfactory, this matter was taken up with the Mint
Bureau, Ministry of Finance, Japan, Osaka. A reply was received in March 1986,
which stated that the above, Malaysia 20 Cents Pattern Coins, seemed to be
struck by the Osaka Mint, and that Malaysia represented the name of the
inhabitants of our Country at that time. This was exactly the same reply, which
the Bank of Japan, Tokyo had given earlier.
In
the meantime, enquiries were made as to the origin of the word MALAYSIA. After
much effort, my attention was drawn to a book published in 1937 by Macmillan
Company, titled “MALAYSIA” by Robert
Emerson. The last paragraph of Page 9, bears a reference to Malaysia, which states
“Caught
between two of the most ancient and most populous countries of the earth.
Malaysia – to use a somewhat unfamiliar term, embracing both British Malaya and
the Netherlands East Indies, which are also known as Indonesia, – has never been able to attract to itself
the attention, which it might otherwise have won”.
Sir
Frank Swettenham, former Governor of the Straits Settlements, a strong critic
of the above book, refers to Rupert Emerson, as the author of the book, with
the barbarous title- Malaysia. Note: This book was reprinted by the University
of Malaya Press in 1964.
The two coins of Malaya – Japanese occupation period - Malaysia 20 Cents
Pattern coins Year Date 2602 ( - 1942 ),
were put up for auction in the Spink-Taisei Coin Auction No.1/1986 Lot No.138.
At this stage, there was a lot of excitement about these coins, among the
numismatic fraternity. These two coins were eventually purchased by a collector
from Japan, at a bid price of US$4,400 plus 10% buyer’s premium (RM 12,200
approximately).
At
this time, i.e. 1986, Mr. Lim Kheng Chye, a prominent Numismatist in Singapore,
brought to my attention, a postcard in his collection which showed the old
Railway Station, which existed in Tank Road, Singapore. This old postcard is clearly postmarked with
the date “ 5 Dec 1910 “. In faded ink, it is hand written, “This is the station
where people start for Malaysia”. So now, instead of wondering if the word
“MALAYSIA” existed in 1942, I now found out that this word had in some sort of
way, used even as far back as 1910, and had been subsequently documented by
Robert Emerson in 1937.
In
view of the above, it appears that the word “MALAYSIA”, which occurs on the two pieces of 20 Cents Pattern coins, must have been a general term, referring
to British Malaya.
In
spite of the above explanations, further research still needs to be done. Why
did the Japanese officials at that time, not use their official name for
MALAYA, which was “MALAI” ?.
These
coins are also listed in “The Encyclopedia of the Coins of Malaysia,
Singapore and Brunei 1400 - 1986” (First
Edition,1986) Pages 403 - 404, Reference Number: SS10 and SS11.
MALAYA – JAPANESE
OCCUPATION ISSUE
(MALAYSIA) TWENTY CENTS 2602 ( = 1942 )
PATTERN
Obverse: A cluster of leaves in the center. The word “MALAYSIA” above and the Japanese
Year Date “2602” ( =1942 )
below
Reverse:
The denomination “20 CENTS” above. Floral spray and a radiant sun below
Edge:
Plain, Weight: 0.5 grams, Diameter: 16mm., Composition: Aluminum,
Mint:
Osaka Mint, Japan,
Mintage: Not known,
Rarity: RRR
MALAYA - JAPANESE
OCCUPATION ISSUE
(MALAYSIA) TWENTY CENTS
2602 ( = 1942 ) PATTERN
Obverse:
A cluster of leaves in the center. The word “MALAYSIA” above and the Japanese
Year Date “2602” ( =1942 )
below
Reverse:
The denomination “20 CENTS” above. Floral spray and a radiant sun below
Edge:
Milled, Weight: 1.8 grams,
Diameter: 25 m.m., Composition: Aluminum,
Mint:
Osaka Mint, Japan,
Mintage: Not known,
Rarity: RRR
Post card postmarked 5 DEC
1910 showing the old Railway Station which used to be in Tank Road, Singapore.
Written above in faded ink is “This is the station where people start for
Malaysia”. (Photograph from Mr. Lim Keng Chye collection,
Singapore).
(Note:
This article was originally published in the Malaysia Numismatic Society
Bulletin, Volume 18 Number 3 in May 1986)
