Thursday, December 29, 2016

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.






Friday, August 5, 2016

MALAYSIA – Commemorative Medal – 11th April 2012

                 MALAYSIA  –   Commemorative Medal  – 11th April 2012. 
               Installation of His Majesty the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong XIV 
                             (the 14th 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 14th 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 11th 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 11th April 2012. The technical specifications of these medals are as follows:

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

5 Dirhams  - 11th April 2012. Silver .999 fine, Weight: 14.875 grammes, Diameter: 32 m.m., Edge: Milled. Obverse: Portrait of the 14th 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  -  11th April 2012. Silver .999 fine. Weight: 29.75 grammes. Diameter: 38 m.m. Edge: Milled. Obverse: Portraits of the 14th 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 20th 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 31st 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