Malaysia Numismatic Society auction 149

Yesterday, Malaysia Numismatic Society (MNS) held an auction at Jabatan Muzium Malaysia, Malaysia National Museum, Kuala Lumpur. The Malaysia Numismatic Society auction 149 is not a crowded one, less people coming maybe because of the recent Hari Raya Celebration. I came early at 8.40 am because last time when I came at 9.00 am, most of the item on sale at the bourse tables are already gone. This time, I can only see 6 sellers joining the bourse tables with most of them are selling Malaysia banknote. They bring a very nice collection but with a high price though. This is the first time I am not buying anything on the auction day.

The viewing item start at around 9.30 am. All members got to view the auction but not allowed to touch the coins or notes. Some of the MNS committee act as a security preventing members from damaging the items. Most crowd are more interested on item no. 59, Malaysia 1 sen 1976 copper Brilliant Uncirculated. The recent Mavin International Auction, Singapore on 16 July 2011, 1 sen 1976 copper has been closed at a high price, SGD1,400 (excluding tax and commision). Many members want to know if the same item can get a higher price in MNS Auction compare to the Mavin auction. Steven Tan catalog reported only 100 pieces of this coin exist.

The auction start at 10.25am with MNS president Mr. Thenakaran Nadarajah himself as a auctioneer. Mr. Lawrence De Souza act as a bidder for mail bidders. There are only around 30 members of the society who participated in the bidding process. Most of the items on auction come home without any bidder, although Mr. Thena asked members few times if they want to bid for the items. Most of the item reserve price are below the market price. When the time come for item no.59, many members join the bidding. process(Saran Singh, Dickson Niew etc). Its like a battle for the 1976 1 sen copper. In the end, a bidder won the coin at RM3600. A little bit lower then everyone expected (RM4000).

Its a fun auction day for all MNS members. Some of my Facebook friends won their auction at reserve price, congratulations to them. If you remember about that two little kids that I had been talking in the last MNS auction no. 143, they're still coming and joining this auction. Hopefully more younger generation will keep on joining coin collecting as a hobbies. The MNS Auction participant has been decreasing each time, some changes has to be done if MNS want their auction to be popular again. You can read my old posts about these matter.

More pictures and videos can be viewed at Malaysia coin Facebook page.

Video: Making Largest Gold Coin

How do Royal Canadian Mint make the largest gold coins? I think everyone of you knew about the World's largest gold coin; Million-dollar coin by now. Royal Canadian Mint has released a video: Making largest gold coin. In this video, they show how the biggest world coin in the world works process done by their stuff. Its not easy to make a big coin like that and from the video, look like almost all the job are done by hands. For a 100 kilos of gold and a pure 99.999/1000 gold, a careful inspection is a must. 

On May 3, 2007, the Royal Canadian Mint (RCM) unveiled a Gold Maple Leaf coin by artist Stanley Witten, with a face value of $1 million Canadian dollar. The weight of the coin is 100 kilograms, and measures 50 cm in diameter by 3 cm thick. The coin is mainly a promotional product to give the RCM a higher international profile. The 100-kilogram coin was conceived as a showpiece to promote the RCM's new line of 99.999 percent pure, one-ounce gold maple leaf bullion coins.

In June 2010, a piece of this largest gold coin auctioned by Dorotheum auction house for 3.27 million euros ($4.02 million). The auction was ordered by the administrator of Austrian investment group AvW Invest, which filed for insolvency in May after its owner and chief executive was arrested on suspicion of fraud, breach of trust and other charges. the auctioned won by ORO direct, a Spanish precious metals trading company. So far, only 5 of this coins exist; including Queen Elizabeth, who is also displayed on one side of the coin, two unidentified investors in Dubai and one who is so reclusive even his or her residence is unknown.

9/11 coin scam warning

The United States Mint had issued a 9/11 coin scam warning following a product by National Collector's Mint; "10th Anniversary September 11th Commemorative Dollar" and claims that it is a "Liberian government authorized legal tender coin." US Mint warned users that this product is not a genuine United States coin or medal. Under the Constitution, Congress has the exclusive power to coin money of the United States. Congress has delegated its authority to mint and issue coins to the Secretary of Treasury, and Congress requires the Secretary to carry out these duties at the United States Mint. Thus, the United States Mint is the only government entity in the United States with the authority to coin money.

Consumers may find the advertisements for this product confusing because the National Collector's Mint uses phrases such as "legal tender dollar." The product itself may be confusing because it bears the denomination "One Dollar." Congress did not authorize the National Collector's Mint product, and the United States Government does not endorse it. On January 2011, US Authority said they're investigating a Fake September 11 coin minted by the National Collector's Mint. Two Democratic New York congressmen, Rep. Jerrold Nadler and Sen. Charles Schumer, have accused the National Collector's Mint in Port Chester, New York, of selling bogus September 11 coins in an attempt to exploit the tragedy for profit.

The only official United States coin or medal to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the September 11th attacks is the "National September 11 Memorial & Museum Commemorative Medal," which is authorized by Public Law 111-221 (approved by the President on August 6, 2010). You can read the scam warning in US Mint website; 10th Anniversary September 11th Commemorative Dollar Alerts. I also found some news video by WPRI TV relating to that matter:

Selamat Hari Merdeka 2011

Its that time of the year again that we celebrate our Merdeka celebration but this year, Our National Merdeka Celebration will be postponed due to Hari Raya Celebration that fall on the same day as Merdeka. The 54 years Merdeka Celebration will be held on 16 September 2011 at Dataran Merdeka Kuala Lumpur. Once again, I want to wish "Selamat Hari Merdeka 2011" to all my Malaysian readers and friends. You can read about Malaysia Merdeka coins at my old post: Selamat Hari Merdeka Coins. If you're looking for Malaysia Merdeka logo and Malaysia flag, you can go to my post Malaysia Merdeka 2011. This year Merdeka Theme is "1 Malaysia, Transformation Success, People Peace".

If any of you remember our country history lesson, Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj, the first Prime Minister of Malaysia, who led a delegation of ministers and political leaders of Malaya in negotiations with the British in London for Merdeka, or independence along with the first president of the Malayan Chinese Association (MCA) Tun Dato Sir Tan Cheng Lock and fifth President of Malaysian Indian Congress Tun V.T. Sambanthan. On 31 August 1957, history of this country began, Malaysia gain independence at Stadium Merdeka (Independence Stadium), in Kuala Lumpur with Tunku Abdul Rahman Shouting "Merdeka!" and everyone share the same joy of independence.

This year Merdeka will be a little bit difference. We can read many news and story how Malaysia unity has changed. Hopefully it will not be any worst in the near future. Nowadays we maybe shouting the same word "Merdeka!" but at the same time deep in some of our hearts, they're dissatisfaction. It hurt when some Malaysian start to praise communist as Malaysia Independence heroes. Malaysian do stupid stuff in the name of politic.

"Selamat Hari Merdeka Malaysia!"

Wish this country unity will keep on stronger every seconds and we can keep living in harmony on the coming years.

Third Series of Malaysian Coins Video

Bank Negara Malaysia is issuing commemorative coins to mark the new 3rd Series of the Malaysian coins which will be available for circulation early next year. Yesterday, Governor of Bank Negara Malaysia, Tan Sri Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz, launch the commemorative coins for Malaysia 3rd series coins. For the first time, BNM upload a video in Youtube for Third Series of Malaysian Coins Video. The video is very short, 1:15 minutes but all coin collectors are hoping BNM will upload more videos. Especially a video on how they minted Malaysia New Coin in BNM Mint.

Picture by The Star: Dr. Zeti holding Malaysia new coin 2012.

Yesterday, BNM Governor, Tan Sri Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz, released Malaysia 2012 new coins design. 500,000 sets of the new coins will be available as a commemorative coins (Brilliant Uncirculated) with special packaging and to be sold to the public at RM 10.00 per set in all BNM branches. The coins were designed by a Malaysian and wholly minted by Bank Negara's mint in Malaysia. The theme, 'Distinctively Malaysia', features motifs from traditional crafts and our flora and fauna. The coins reflect the diversity and richness of Malaysia's national identity.

On the obverse, each denomination features a different motif, 14 dots representing the 13 states and the Federal Territory and (with exception in the case of the 50 sen coin) five horizontal lines representing the five principles of the 'Rukun Negara' (national pillars). On the reverse, the new series of coins feature the national flower Rosa-sinensis hibiscus (known as the 'Bunga Raya'), numerals indicating the year of minting, the face value of the coin and the words 'BANK NEGARA MALAYSIA'.

Source: BNM

You can read the details of the coins at; Malaysia new coins 2012 details.

$100 Canada polymer security features

The new Canada $100 polymer notes contain a number of unique features that expand the frontiers of bank note security and will make them difficult to counterfeit but easy to check. Most prominent are two transparent areas: the larger area extends from the top to the bottom of the note and contains complex holographic features; the other is in the shape of a maple leaf. You can check the notes using Feel, Look and Flip method. Here are the explanation on the innovative security features and design of the new $100 polymer note. You can also watch the video by Bank of Canada official Youtube.

Picture by Star

Feel

1. Raised ink

Feel the raised ink on the shoulders of the large portrait, the large number, and the words “Bank of Canada” and “Banque du Canada.”

Look

2. Large window

Look for transparency through the large window containing a metallic portrait and building.

3. Metallic portrait

Look at the details in the metallic portrait in the large window. It matches the large portrait.

4. Metallic building

Look at the details in the metallic building in the large window. Tilt the note to see sharp colour changes in the building.

5. Small numbers

Look at the numbers in and around the large window that match the value of the note. Some of the numbers appear in reverse.

6. Transparent text

Look at the word “Canada.” It is transparent and feels slightly raised.

7. Maple leaf border

Look at the maple leaves that border the large window. Some of the leaves cross into the window.

8. Frosted maple leaf window

Look at the frosted maple leaf window to see that it has a transparent outline.

Flip

Flip the note to see the features in the large window repeated in the same colours and detail on the other side.

Added Security

9. Hidden numbers

The hidden numbers are a security feature that you can use to further verify your note, with the aid of an eye-safe single-point light source. This feature allows you to verify a bank note using many commonly available single-point light sources, such as pot lights and household (incandescent) light bulbs. No light source should be pointed directly at the eye at close range, and dangerous sources of light, such as the sun, laser lights and many LEDs, should never be used to view the feature. Place the frosted maple leaf window close to your eye. Look through the frosted maple leaf window at an eye-safe single- point light source. See a circle of numbers matching the note’s value appear through the frosted maple leaf window.

Source: Bank of Canada

Critics Slam Royal Wedding Coin

An official coin of Prince William and Kate Middleton wedding has been receiving so many critics due to the poor design. the coin has been minted by Royal Mint and has been authorised by the Channel Island of Alderney with a denomination of £5. The reverse design will feature Prince William and Catherine Middleton portrait by Matthew Bonaccorsi. The obverse will feature the Queen’s portrait by Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS. The special betrothal design has received Royal approval from Prince William and Her Majesty The Queen.

Images of the couple on the memento bear little resemblance to either the prince or his 28-year-old betrothed. Middleton appears plump in the face and lips and has bags under her eyes. Some critics claim William looks like Al Gore. Ingrid Seward of Majesty magazine told Britain's Sky News on Thursday it was "ridiculous" that the images were so poor. But Dickie Arbiter, a former royal spokesman, says it's often difficult to produce accurate images on a coin.

In my opinion, the design that we can found in Daily Mail News is far much better then the official coin design. I am not sure where they get this but its sure more beautiful then the official design. Wish Royal Mint will change to a better design. What do you think?

Source: Associated Press

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The Art of Banknote Design

Have you ever wondered how U.S. currency is designed? US Government produced a podcast on how their new $100 dollars bill are develop. The video podcast, "The Art of Bank Note Design", features interviews with Larry Felix, Director of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, and Michael Lambert, Assistant Director at the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. This is the third series of podcast produced for public awareness campaign about the new dollars. Watch the video to learn about the banknote design process and how multiple government agencies collaborate to develop currency that is difficult to counterfeit yet easy for cash-handlers to authenticate:

Photo by newmoney.gov: obverse of $100 dollar.

Photo by newmoney.gov: reverse of $100 dollar.

The new design for the $100 note retains three effective security features from the previous design: the portrait watermark of Benjamin Franklin, the security thread, and the color-shifting numeral 100. The new $100 note also displays American symbols of freedom, including phrases from the Declaration of Independence and the quill the Founding Fathers used to sign this historic document. The best new security feature for the notes is its 3D Security Ribbon by Crane & Co. called Motion, containing up to 650,000 microlenses embedded in the printing which allows for an underlying image to shift when the bill is moved.

Federal Reserve Board Chairman Ben Bernanke announced that the new notes will be issued on February 10, 2011. He also announced that when this new design $100 note is issued on February 10, 2011, approximately 6.5 billion older design $100s already in circulation will remain legal tender.

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New US $100 dollar bill

US $100 dollar bill get a new face lift yesterday 21 April 2010. Federal Reserve Board Chairman Ben Bernanke announced that the new notes will be issued on February 10, 2011. The best new security feature for the notes is its 3D Security Ribbon by Crane & Co. called Motion, containing up to 650,000 microlenses embedded in the printing which allows for an underlying image to shift when the bill is moved. The blue 3D Security Ribbon on the front of the new $100 note contains images of bells and 100s that move and change from one to the other as you tilt the note. The Bell in the Inkwell on the front of the note is another new security feature. The bell changes color from copper to green when the note is tilted, an effect that makes it seem to appear and disappear within the copper inkwell.

Photo by Wall Street Journal: New 100 dollar banknote.

Federal Reserve Board Chairman Ben Bernanke announced that the new notes will be issued on February 10, 2011. He also announced that when this new design $100 note is issued on February 10, 2011, approximately 6.5 billion older design $100s already in circulation will remain legal tender. US currency users should know they will not have to trade in their older design notes when the new ones begin circulating. Although less than 1/100th of one percent of the value of all US currency in circulation is reported counterfeit, the $100 note is the most widely circulated and most often counterfeited denomination outside the US.

Photo by newmoney.gov: obverse of $100 dollar.

Photo by newmoney.gov: reverse of $100 dollar.

The new design for the $100 note retains three effective security features from the previous design: the portrait watermark of Benjamin Franklin, the security thread, and the color-shifting numeral 100. The new $100 note also displays American symbols of freedom, including phrases from the Declaration of Independence and the quill the Founding Fathers used to sign this historic document. Both are located to the right of the portrait on the front of the note. The back of the note has a new vignette of Independence Hall featuring the rear, rather than the front, of the building. Both the vignette on the back of the note and the portrait on the front have been enlarged, and the oval that previously appeared around both images has been removed. Finally, the 2009 redesign marks the first time the signatures of the Treasury department executives are placed on one side, and that the signature of the Treasury Secretary is above that of the United States Treasurer.

This banknote sure is beautiful and will make it harder for forgers to make the counterfeit bill. Counterfeit $100 notes using 5 dollar bill will also be useless when this notes finally replace the old one. You can find more detailed description of the new redesigned $100 dollar note and its features by visiting www.newmoney.gov.

Source: newmoney.gov, Wall Street Journal, mashable.com, Wikipedia.

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MNS auction no. 143

This is the last post from three of Malaysia Numismatic Society (MNS) auction no.143. The auction held on 28 March 2010 at Jabatan Muzium Malaysia, Malaysia National Museum, Kuala Lumpur. The auction start at 10.45am with MNS president Mr. Thenakaran Nadarajah himself as a auctioneer. Mr. Lawrence De Souza (guy sitting with the bidders card) act as a bidder for mail bidders. There are only around 45 members of the society who participated in the bidding process.

This year, the crowd are very small compare with the last auction held by this society in 2005. Only around 70 people are watching the auction session. Most of them are almost the same age with me or a bit older. I can only see two kids brought by their parents in this auction. look like, kids nowadays really doesn't interested on coins or banknotes collecting. Most of them were really interested on video games and social network like facebook. I start my collecting at the age of 15. With all the travelling and hunting around Malaysia, it is a rare sight, looking that kids participating in this kind of hobbies. One day, we can only see this kind of stuff in the museum.

Back to the auction, I cannot stay for the full auction that day. I am also cannot take the full video of the auction. I am sorry, will try to do better next time. This is the first time I am doing a post about any auction. Look like my digital camera is a bit slow. Look like the Malaysia 10th Series RM1 CR 7204131 Ali Abul Hassan signature with a reserve price of RM1650 ended up with no single bid, there is one seller at the bourse table selling the same CR prefix banknotes at RM1150 that day. That mean, to anyone who still looking for UNC CR Ali Abul signature, you still can get it for RM1000 this year.

The Malaya $10 1941 D/60 019898 extremely fine condition and with nice number too, end up at RM850. That is consider a way cheaper then the market price. Only two bidder, make a bid on that item. Malaysia 1st Series RM100 A/1 323396 Ismail Ali’s signature end up at RM4000. The United States Replacement $1 B 00098644 notes, end price is RM50. If any of you, MNS members have the complete auction list sale price, it will be a little bit of help to send the link in here or e-mail it to me at lunaticg@gmail.com.

One suggestion to MNS committee members, it is better nowadays if live online auction been done, instead of offline sale like this. It will be a bit hard to start with the website but in the end, it will benefit the society more. Most collector are not in Kuala Lumpur. It will added transportation cost for members from Penang, Kedah, Sabah or even Sarawak come to Kuala Lumpur, simply for the auction. More people bidding, means a good and healthy auction for the society. Many people also email me asking if any website is holding auction for coins and banknotes in Malaysia. This society can help member sale their items with accurate grading and reasonable reserve price. This is also one way to promote the society to the public and make people interested on joining the society. No pun intended but right now, what I see is that this society trying to hide their activity to the public (or maybe there is no activity at all). This society exist since 1968, why not make a change? For the benefit of the society and Malaysia Numismatic.

Please correct me if any of the information in here is wrong.

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MNS auction 143 item viewing session

To anyone who haven't read my post yesterday, this is one of 3 series of posts about a Malaysia Numismatic Society (MNS) auction day at Jabatan Muzium Malaysia, Malaysia National Museum, Kuala Lumpur held on 28 March 2010. This post is about Malaysia Numismatic Society Auction No.143 viewing auction session. The viewing session start as soon as their Annual General Meeting finish at around 10.00am. A blue table tennis (ping pong) table is used for displaying the item with few of the committee members act as security to make sure anyone not running with the items on display.

There are 120 items on display for the auction that day. Items arranged according to their number in the list. All of the items came from MNS member who want to sell their collection. There are around 30 people who came and interested to view the items on auction. With most of them interested to view auction item number 1 until 20. Especially Malaysia 1st Series RM100 A/1 323396 Ismail Ali’s signature. Some even bring their UV light tools for item viewing, just to make sure what they want to buy is genuine and haven't been washed.

It is a bit shock for me to see that members and visitors are allowed to touch the auction items. Even though the items is put in a plastic, with so many people come and touching that item, there is big probability some of the items will get folded. This for sure will effect the grading of the banknote. The viewing session going on for about 20 minutes. At that time, the place is sound like I am in a wet market. Sorry if I need to slow down the volume in the video or any of that sound came through.

Its a bit hard to take picture of the viewing session. Only the close up picture of the items came through clear and sharp at the end since I am only bring a small compact digital camera. The items viewing session ended around 10.30am. The MNS President then announce that the auction session will be starting at around 10.45am. I will post that auction session tomorrow. Just make sure you keep on coming and read them.

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Malaysia Numismatic Society meeting March 2010

On 28 March 2010, Malaysia Numismatic Society (MNS) held an annual General Meeting at Jabatan Muzium Malaysia, Malaysia National Museum, Kuala Lumpur. The meeting not held in the usual place since there is a coffin exhibition in that hall. The short meeting start at 9.30 am with a short speech by their president Mr. Thenakaran Nadarajah and introduction of the committee member (you can view it in my video). There is less crowd then what I have seen 3 years ago.

Photo: Jabatan Muzium Malaysia.

There are few bourse table operating that days (10 table). Most people come that day visiting that bourse table searching for something that can be add up to their collection and waiting for the auction by MNS (auction 143). I am arriving a bit late that day (9.20am) with almost all the good items already been grab by people who came earlier then me. I saw one seller is selling his CR prefix RM1 Ali Abul signature at RM1150 without no one grabbing that piece. For you information, a CR prefix banknote will be on auction that day for a RM1650 reserve price. Look like the price is not appealing enough for people to buy them.

Photo: MNS AGM March 2010.

The bourse tables are for member and collector to buy and sell as all sorts of accessories, coins and banknotes. Its a bit hard for me to take picture of the bourse table since the tables always crowd with a little space to move around. All my close up picture of what people are selling that day not in very good condition to show it in this blog. Most of the seller of the bourse table is a regular at the Amcorp Mall flea market. Only around 100 people came that day and only half stay for the auction that start at 10.30am.

Photo: People buying and selling during MNS meeting.

I will be dividing this post to three section. Please come in again for the auction item viewing session and auction session posts.

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