Collecting gold coins, world coins, banknotes and stamps are only for the wealthy and is known as "hobby for the king".
1940's Chulia Street Penang
The above picture taken in the early forties during the reign of King George VI. There were no air-conditioning during that time and electricity are for selected few (wealthy) only. How can you expect those banknotes could last in tropical climate without foxing till today 2014 ?
1941 $5 currency used during the reign of King George VI in Malaya
Let's fast forward to present day 2014. With the invention of the internet it has bring the world collectors connected that our forefathers could have never dream of. Then comes the smart phones where by people could be reached by short messaging or via email from the sender from another part of the world and business could be done instantly.
The current demand from our "GEN Y" (Generation Y) collectors are more sophisticated they only collect high grade notes graded by third party. Jobs are plenty economies are booming GEN Y collectors are more wealthy, so they want to collect higher grade notes/coins than the rest so they collect those graded ones to quench their desire (as pictures shown below).
Very highly sought after by GEN Y collectors
Very highly sought after 1971 10sen Parliament coins
I foresee in the very near future (2 years) from now every collectors in Malaysia will be hunting for graded notes and coins. Collectors will be out to compete on grades among each other.
Very rare only 1 piece in every 10 million pieces issued.
There will be no more high grade and original ungraded banknotes left in the near future available unless you have inherited a treasure trove from your great-grandfather.
This is how our Malaysian numismatics evolves.
