1925 $50 KING GEORGE V PMG 25NET, 1901 $5 KING EDWARD VII, 1935 $10 KING GEORGE V UNC

I have newly acquired three notes for this week and they have cost me a fortune !

They are :-

1925 $50 King George PMG 25NET

I have blogged about this magnificent piece of banknote on my previous post. You can read the previous article here ( 1925 $50 KGV ).

1901 $5 KING EDWARD VII

The first two $5 issues during the reign of Queen Victoria from 1898 to 1900 were of the same design as the other denominations throughout the series. The design of this issue from 1901 to 1924 during the reign of King Edward VII or Edwardian era are smaller in size. The reduction was implemented to better distinguish between this denomination and the $10.

Perhaps the most noticeable difference is the placement of the phase "Currency Commissioners". On the 1898 to 1900 (Queen Victoria) $5 notes, this phase is centered and the signatures are to its right, as it is the same on all the other denominations throughout the series. 

However for all subsequent King Edward VII & King George V the $5 notes, these words  "Currency Commissioners" are positioned on the right above the serial numbers and the signatures are on the center of the notes.

Note : there are three commissioners signatures on the notes during both reign (QV and KEVII).

1935 $10 King George V pristine UNC condition

This piece is really a gem in pristine UNC condition without any stains like it was just came out from the printer - Bradbury Wilkinson UK.

However the 1932 issues are the rarest for all denominations, especially the $5 dollars. The 1935 is the most common of the years, though the $5 dollars & $10 dollars issues are tough to find in uncirculated condition. The other years are quite scarce in high grades.

Happy reading !

Andrew

CHINA 2000 MILLENNIUM DRAGON 100YUAN POLYMER NOTE

I can't help but to blog on this note again because of its beauty.....

Commemorating both the Year of the Dragon and the new millennium, the 100 Yuan from the year 2000 (Pick 902) is the first polymer note issued by the People's Republic of China.

The front of this beautiful note pictures a gigantic dragon and fireball at the center. This dragon is the third dragon of the nine dragon screen found in Beihai Park, Beijing. The building on the back is of the China Centenary Alter in Beijing along with two flying Apsaras from the frescoes of the Dunhuang caves. It has very pleasing and complementary colors throughout.

This note continues to be a favorite among collectors internationally, remaining very popular ever since it was released. This dual commemorative is truly a gem.

The People’s Bank of China issued their first, and so far only, polymer note on the 28th of November, 2000. It was printed in China at the Banknote Printing and Minting Corporation (BPMC). Two companies worked together on the security features and the Guardian® polymer substrate – Reserve Bank of Australia and UCB S.A. of Belgium.

The security features include: a clear window featuring a Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest at the Temple of Heaven, a shadow above the window reading “2000”, an Optically Variable Device (OVD) featuring a lantern with Chinese characters that represent the new millennium at the upper-right, micro-printing of “100” and “RMB” in separate alternating lines across the top of the back of the note along either side of the China Centenary Alter in Beijing. The serial number ink is two colors black and green, and the denomination on the front goes from red to green. The last security feature on this note is the UV ink that is only seen on the dragon and fireball on the front. When under UV light the dragon shines a bright yellow.

"Commemorative" 100 Yuan Dragon Note as an uncut pair

There are three different varieties of this note. The first is the issued note which BPMC printed approximately 9.1 million with prefix J; this note was also issued in a folder. The dragon note was also sold in uncut pairs, which has also been very popular to collect. There are replacements known for this note, which is easily identified by it’s I serial number prefix. All together in total there are about 10 million notes printed for this magnificent commemorative note.

Happy Collecting.

Andrew

MALAYA BRITISH ADMINISTRATION $10 1941 KING GEORGE VI 10 PIECES CONSECUTIVE GEM UNC

Once again I'm very fortunate to be able to feature this 10 pieces consecutive numbers of Malaya banknotes from the reign of King George VI 1939 - 1946 $10 in gem uncirculated condition with striking embossment on the texture of the notes. The pristine condition make it seem like it just came out from the printer Waterlow & Sons Ltd. UK. From my perspective point of view these 10 pieces of notes will easily obtain grade PMG 66epq to 67epq.

The colours of the 1940 $10 were changed in 1941 from purple (1940) to orange. The prefixes start from "A" to "J" with no "I". The orange notes start at A/83. However the purple notes (1940) preceed this from A/1 to A/82.

It is extremely hard to find even for a single piece in gem unc condition without foxing nor stains nonetheless in 10 pieces consecutive akin to striking a lottery.

Value ? MYR13,000 for PMG 66epq last transaction and estimated value for 67epq to be around MYR16,000 to MYR17,000.00.

Base on PMG population report there is one and only single piece of 1941 $10 KGVI achieved "STAR" designation from PMG with the grade 35EPQ * (Star) thus far and there are none other banknotes from Malaysia, Malaya nor Straits Settlements able to obtain Star (*) designation as at time of writing.

These notes belong to Mr.Xavier Tan from Singapore and i would like to thank him for his kindness to share with us one of his superb collection and wish him the best of luck for sending his notes to PMG for grading as this article been written.

H/18 042131 - H/18 042140

Beautiful embossment

Happy Reading !

Andrew

MALAYA 1942 $100 KING GEORGE VI FIRST PREFIX "A1"

This is one of my latest acquisition the 1941 $100 Malaya KGVI first prefix "A1" but in VF condition. This banknote was printed on the 1st January 1942 by Bradbury Wilkinson UK but was not issued until after the war.

These notes have borderless designs, the signature and serial numbers being on the opposite sides and the denomination repeated in Jawi, top-left, there is little difference in placement of the elements, The notes are significantly larger though but are all the same size.

On the reverse side of the note contains the "crests" but does not have the denomination in Jawi. Around the centre crest is written "Board of Commissioners of Currency, Malaya". 

I will be sending this note to PMG for grading.

1986 RM100 JAFFAR HUSSEIN 6TH SERIES PREFIX "ZV" PRINTED BY UNITED STATES BANKNOTE CO.

I will also be sending these 10pcs consecutive numbers GEM UNC 1986 RM100 Jaffar Hussein to PMG too. These banknotes were printed by United States Banknotes Co and considered scarce because there are only five prefixes printed by USBN they are ZT, ZU (replacement note) ZV, ZW, ZX, ZY.

The replacement note with prefix "ZU" by USBN is the most expensive Malaysian replacement banknote with the catalogue price (KN BOON cat) of MYR50,000.00 per piece for UNC condition. It was the rarest and the least number of pieces issued of 30 pieces under this printer.

The rest of other prefixes were printed by Thomas De La Rue UK in large quantity.

ZV 4119860 - ZV 4119869 

Happy Reading.

Andrew

PENANG PERANAKAN ANTIQUES MUSEUM PART 1

Instead of writing about banknotes and coins and just for a change i want to blog about the newly restored Peranakan mansion or Nyonya and Babas museum located in Penang that i just visited. I took lots of photos inside museum with lots of heritage and all Penangites could be proud off.
Many of you may share the same hobby of collecting the Peranakan antiques which are highly sought after by collectors that we share the same similarities with Singapore and Malacca during the era of Straits Settlements.

The Peranakans, also known as the Babas and Nyonyas, was a prominent community of acculturated Chinese unique to this part of the world, especially in the Straits Settlements (Penang, Malacca and Singapore) hence its other name, the Straits Chinese. Adopting selected ways of the local Malays and later, the colonial British, the Peranakans had created a unique lifestyle and customs which had not only left behind a rich legacy of antiques but its cultural influences like cuisine and language are still evident in Penang today.


At the Pinang Peranakan Mansion, the typical home of a rich Baba of a century ago is recreated to offer a glimpse of their opulent lifestyle and of their many customs and traditions. With over 1,000 pieces of antiques and collectibles of the era on display, this Baba-Nyonya museum is also housed in one of Penang’s heritage mansion of eclectic design and architecture. Built at the end of the 19th century by one of local history’s famous personalities, the ‘Hai Kee Chan’ or Sea Remembrance Store had once served as the residence and office of Kapitan Cina Chung Keng Kwee. Though not a Baba himself, his Chinese courtyard house was much like a typical large Baba home of eclectic style, incorporating Chinese carved-wood panels and English floor tiles and Scottish ironworks. Having survived the many decades of neglect and decay, the mansion has now been restored to its former glory of a stately home.

To be continue.....

Enjoy !

Andrew