39. British Trade Dollar 1902B with Chopmarks

Country of Origin: Mainly circulated in Straits Settlements and Malay States

Date: 1902

Denomination: 1 Dollar

Weight: 26.95g

Edge: Milled

Dimension: Diameter of 39.0mm

Composition: 0.9 Silver

Population: 30,404,499

Reference: ST KN1

Mint: Bombay

Mint Mark(s): Incuse "B", appeared in the middle point of the trident.

Category: Trade Dollars

Extra Note: The obverse shows the standing Britannia with a trident and a shield in front of a sailing ship, a symbol of trade. The case of the value of name in Chinese, Yi Yuan and Malay, Satu Ringgit means One Dollar, in flower ornament. Both sides are bordered by Mäanderband.

     This is a badly circulated British Trade Dollar dated 1902B in my collection. Bought it at a price of only RM40, I really think that was quite a good deal for me. Even the condition of this coin is not so appealing, but at least I am confident that this is a genuine piece. A lot of counterfeited pieces exist in the market for selling, even the prestigious auctions sometimes are vulnerable!

   And beside that, the chopmarks are just too cute. See those markings on the coins? Those chopmarks are small punch marks or counterstamps applied to coin, mainly by Chinese traders through whose hands is passed. The chopmarks serves as indication that the coins are genuine and of full weight and fineness. And most of all, the chopmarks gives historical value to the coin. Should I add my chopmark to this coin?

   Sadly I can't decipher the meaning of the chopmarks nor trace it of its origin. Is there any catalogue listing all the chopmarks found in trade dollars?

   I had asked the dealer to decipher the meaning of the chopmark. He said the chopmark to the left of the right hand of Britannia means "debt". Is it true?

38. Straits Settlements 1935 1 Dollar

    

Country of Origin: Straits Settlements (Now a part of Malaysia and Singapore)

Year: 1935

Denomination: 1 Dollar

Prefixes: K/67 94669 K/32 24483

Dimension: 125mm x 64 mm

References: K.N Boon B20e

Category: Normal Circulation Note

Sign(s): Rex Curral

Vignette/Portrait: King Edward

Watermark(s): a tiger head at the left of obverse

       Again my pair of 1 Dollar from Straits Settlements, both bearing date of 1 January 1935. These notes are not really scarce, especially for poor grades. Issued in 5 different years, namely 1931 to 1935, these notes have 2 different signatures and 5 different dates. A real challenge to complete all the varieties! Especially the other dates except 1935 are really scarce!

   

37. Malaysia 10 sen 1992 Clashed Die Error

Malaysia 10 cent 1992 Minor Error

    Hello again. It seems that error coins has been my favourite subject recently. Why not? Error coins are the most economical and rewarding for my hobby compare to collecting UNC notes or poor-grade rare RRRR notes.  And most of all, finding an error coins is a surprise! You don't know what you are going to find, and you can't expect what types of errors it will be. For sure the pieces are in minor error, but that's okay because I am an avid collector with minor budget. *wink

    Coin above is a current Malaysia 10 cent coin which has a part of congkak printed on the obverse part of the coin. I had tried to search on what type of error is this but to no avail. And plus, there are lot of striations moving inward of the coin on both sides of the coins. Is this due to weak strike?

    Someone please enlighten me what kind of error is this and how this happen? The faintest hint I have is capped die, but me myself not too sure about it. Thanks!

Answer: Clashed die.

A die clash error happens when the coin dies come together in the coining press without a planchet between them. This causes an imprint of each die to be left on the opposing die face. For example, an impression of the obverse die is left on the reverse die, and vice versa. Although the Mint usually makes an effort to clean up these marks, they are sometimes visible on the coins themselves.

a part of congkak?