1972 10 sen

i just kept on listening today all over the web people talking about...... 

RM5 Uncut Banknotes 3rd Series

Bank Negara Malaysia issued uncut banknotes (3rd Series) in September 1999. Three type of uncut banknotes were issued: 3 in 1, 8 in 1 and 30 in 1. The 3 in 1 and 8 in 1 uncut banknotes were issued in a folder with description and they are limited to 20,000 copies and 5,000 copies each. In addition, the 30 in 1 uncut banknotes was nicely packed in container and only 3,000 copies were issued.

This 3rd Series of RM5 banknotes carry the theme of "Wawasan 2020" which reflects Malaysia's vision of economy development and achievement towards a fully developed country by the year 2020. The construction section has been selected as the design motif in RM5 banknote.

The observe of the 3rd Series of RM5 banknotes retains the portrait of the first Seri PAduka Yang Di-pertuan Agong. The reverse design features the construction section with landmark building such as Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), Petronas Twin Towers and geographical map bearing the landmark symbols representing Putrajaya and Cyberjaya. 

2011 offerings creep into lists

The next few weeks will see new 2011 listings added as the annual proof and mint sets are offered and the U.S. Army commemoratives are introduced. To make room, concluded programs with the asterisks by the numbers will be dropped. Take note of these if you need them for personal reference.

                                 The American Eagle bullion gold and silver cumulative totals in the right-most column will change to a running total for 2011 pieces when the February numbers start appearing in the monthly box. In the meantime, the January sales numbers include leftover 2010-dated coins. The Mint had 469,500 silver Eagles and 53,000 one-ounce gold Eagles remaining as 2010 closed.

The sold-out proof 2010 silver American Eagle total increased 3,644 to an even 860,000. The four-coin gold proof set rose by 158. Only the quarter-ounce and tenth-ounce gold proofs are still being sold. Buyers took 333 more 2010 proof gold Buffaloes.        

Banknotes Handling and Storing Tips

When handling banknotes, it is recommended to use a pair of good quality stainless steel tweezers/tongs, preferably one without pointed or sharp edges. Avoid using your bare hands as you risk staining the note with oil, dirt and grime, or in some cases, fingerprint marks. Once a banknote is stained, its value will decrease tremendously.

To keep banknotes in the best possible condition, you should use Mylar/vinyl holders which is acid-free and contain no harmful softeners. Common household products such as plastic wrap, plastic bags, window envelopes etc. should not be used for storing banknotes. Most plastics contain PVC, which deteriorates with time and heat, releasing acids and gases which will migrate into the paper. This will result in the notes appearing to have been soaked in oil, or so brittle that they shatter at a touch. Use only products (such as Mylar and other inert plastics) which have been tested and approved for long term banknote storage. Improper storage will result in the note being toned over time.

Banknotes should be stored or displayed away from direct sunlight or powerful spotlights to avoid fading. Repairs should only be made with products that are stable. "Magic" tape and other plastic tapes will leave permanent stains on notes.

There are individual Mylar holders which look like plastic envelopes and are usually sold in packs of 50 or 100. You can also keep banknotes in regular paper envelopes but it is not recommended as they are more liable to get damaged while being handled.

If you really want to get fancy, there are special albums with associated Mylar holders. Each page can hold 1, 2, 3 or even 4 banknotes. Some of the more reputable brands in the market include Lindner®, Lighthouse® and Prinz®. Most professional numismatic collectors and dealers use individual Mylar holders housed inside vinyl stock sheets for maximum protection, handling and storage.

Condition of Banknotes

Grading / Condition of Banknotes

Everyone has their own interpretation of what a certain grade means. When buying from dealers, make sure they follow strict international and Society standards.

Uncirculated (UNC) A perfectly preserved note (100% new), never mishandled by any parties. Paper is clean and firm, without discoloration. All corners are sharp and perfectly square, without any evidence of rounding. A UNC note will have it's original, natural sheen and crisp.

About Uncirculated (AU) A virtually perfect note, with evidence of some minor handling. Condition may show very slight bank counting folds at a corner or one light fold through the center, but not both. An AU note cannot be creased - a crease being a hard fold which have "broken" the surface of the note. Paper is clean and bright with original sheen. Corners are not rounded.

Extremely Fine (EF) A very attractive note, with light handling. May have a maximum of three light folds or one strong crease. Paper is clean and bright with original sheen. Corners may show only the slightest evidence of rounding. An EF note may also have the slightest sign of wear where a fold meets the edge.

Very Fine (VF) An attractive note, but with more evidence of handling and wear. A VF note may have several folds both vertically and horizontally. Paper may have minimal dirt, or possible color smudging. Paper itself is still relatively crisp and not floppy. There are no tears into the border area, although the edges do show slight wear. Corners also show wear but not full rounding.

Fine (F) A note which shows considerable circulation, with many folds, creases and wrinkling. Paper is not excessively dirty but may have some softness. Edges may show much handling with minor tears in the border area. Tears may not extend into the design. There will be no center hole because of excessive folding. Colors are clear but not very bright. A staple hole or two would not be considered unusual wear in a Fine note. Overall appearance is still on the desirable side.

Very Good (VG) A well used note, abused but still intact. Corners may have much wear and rounding, tiny nicks, tears may extend into the design, some discoloration may be present, staining may have occurred, and a small hole may sometimes be seen at the center from excessive folding. Staple and pinholes are usually present, and the note itself is quite limp but no pieces of the note is missing. A note in VG condition may still have an overall attractive appearance.

Good (G) A well worn and heavily used note. Normal damage from prolonged circulation will include strong multiple folds and creases, stains, pinholes, and/or staple holes, dirt, discoloration, edge tears, center hole, rounded corners and an overall unattractive appearance. No large pieces of the note is missing. Graffiti is commonly seen on Good notes.

Fair (F) A totally limp, dirty and very well-used note. Larger pieces may be half torn off or missing besides defects mentioned under the Good category. Tears will be larger and obscured portions of the note will be bigger.

Poor (P) A "rag" with severe damage because of wear, staining, pieces missing, graffiti and large holes. May have tape holding pieces of the note together. Trimming may have taken place to move rough edges. A Poor note is desirable only as a "filler" or when such a note is the only one known of a particular issue.

Japanese Occupation of Malaya Banknote

This note is called as Banana Money in Malay called as duit Pokok Pisang

On 15th February 1942, the whole of the Malaya Peninsula was occupied by the Japanese Government following the fall of Singapore. As a result of that, a Japanese Military Administration was set up and Malaya was renamed ‘Malai’.

During the occupation of Japanese Government, the Japanese introduced new currencies as a replacement of those previously in use in the occupied territories of Malaya, North Borneo, Brunei and Singapore. The new currency in Malaya and Singapore were issued at the par value with the existing British Malaya currency notes (Malayan dollar) and first entered circulation in 1942. The first series of Japanese occupation notes had serial numbers, but these were later omitted leaving the control letter "M", meaning Malaya.

The Japanese authorities simply printed more notes whenever they required it. This resulted in high inflation and a severe depreciation in value of these notes. Moreover, counterfeiting was rampant due to its lack of a serial number on their notes.

The Japanese occupation notes were also well known as Banana Notes. It was named as such because of the motifs of banana trees on 10 dollar banknotes.

Bank Negara Malaysia Governors

Since the establishment of Bank Negara Tanah Melayu in 1959, replacing the Currency Board of Malaya and British Borneo, there have been seven governors that lead the central banking of Malaysia. These excellent governors are Tan Sri William Howard Wilcock, Tun Ismail Mohamed Ali, Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Taha, Tan Sri Jaffar Hussein, Tan Sri Ahmad Mohd Don, Tan Sri Ali Hassan Sulaiman and Tan Sri Dr. Zeti Akhtar Aziz.

Although there are seven governors of BNM till todate, collector can only find six governors' signature on Malaysian Banknotes. This is because the first series of Malaysian Banknotes was issued in 1967 and also the Bank Negara Malasia was named after the formation of Malaysia in 1964. Prior to that, it was called Bank Negara Tanah Melayu. As such, some have mentioned that the BNM has six governors.

Anyway, let go through the legacy of BNM's Governors. (Article below is compiled from StarBiz)

1) Tan Sri William Howard Wilcock (1959 – 1962)

Tan Sri W. H. Wilcock came to Malaysia as the banking adviser to the Government of the Federation of Malaya in 1958. In 1959, he was appointed the first governor and chairman of the board of the central bank of Malaya (then known as Bank Negara Tanah Melayu).

Wilcock had always recognised the need for Bank Negara to be helmed by a local. In his inaugural speech, he said: “I appreciate deeply the honour … in making me the first governor … but I believe most fervently that the head of any country’s central bank should be a national of that country.” In 1962, he handed over the baton to Tun Ismail Mohamed Ali.

2) Tun Ismail Mohamed Ali (1962 - 1980)

Tun Ismail Mohamed Ali was the first Bank Negara Malaysia's governor. In many ways, he set the tone for the bank's core values and instilled a culture of accountability, prfessionalism, integrity and service.

In the early years of the central bank’s existence, Ismail saw his primary role as setting up a body of traditions – of absolute integrity, competency at all levels in the organisations and efficiency.

He also placed strong emphasis on building up a dependable expertise in economic affairs and monetary matters and, above all, the ability to place national interest as against that of the individual. During Ismail’s stewardship of 18 years, the central bank wielded considerable independence and influence in economic policies.

People who knew him, and who had worked with him, described him as a stickler for punctuality, and recounted incidents that revealed his strictness and high expectations of those around him.
Ismail was also the first chairman of Permodalan Nasional Bhd, a position he assumed in 1978.

3) Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Taha (1980–1985)

Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Taha had a remarkable career with the bank – rising rapidly through the ranks to become governor in 1980. He joined the bank in 1969 as assistant manager of the investment and accounting department. He is described as a “cloned’’ version of his mentor, Tun Ismail, in his scrupulous stewardship of the affairs of the central bank.

During his tenure, he fostered close ties with fellow South East Asian Central Banks governors. Generally regarded as a low profile man, Aziz was unwavering in his belief in the basic functions of the central bank. “Every central bank’s main objective is to ensure stability of the economy, the financial system and help and advise the government on sound monetary and fiscal policy.

“That is the basic bread-and-butter functions of a central bank … if it deviates from that, then I think the central bank would have failed in its most important objective. …” Aziz is quoted as saying in an interview with a local business magazine.

4) Tan Sri Jaffar Hussein (1985 – 1994)

Under Tan Sri Jaffar Hussein’s tenure, Bank Negara weathered the recession, and he made the country’s financial system more sophisticated and mature. The concept of Islamic banking began to take shape as part of his dream to establish a full-fledged Islamic financial system in Malaysia, functioning side-by-side with the conventional system. This came true in 1994.

Also during his tenure, the Banking and Financial Institutions Act 1989 was enacted and the supervision of the insurance industry was transferred from the Finance Ministry to Bank Negara in May 1988. He was also instrumental in the setting up of the Securities Commission and national mortgage corporation Cagamas Bhd. The idea for the setting up of Rating Agency Malaysia Bhd was also mooted by him. Back in the 80s, Jaafar was chairman and CEO of Malayan Banking Bhd before assuming the position of Bank Negara governor.

Jaffar’s biggest crisis was the massive paper losses incurred by the central bank’s foreign exchange operations. On March 31, 1994 the central bank announced forex losses of RM5.7bil for the previous year. It was also during his tenure that the deposit taking co-operatives crisis was resolved through a series of measures including the appointment of receivers.

5) Tan Sri Ahmad Mohd Don (1994 – 1998)

Tan Sri Ahmad Mohd Don became the fifth governor on May 1, 1994. During his tenure, Ahmad Don initiated the formulation of the central bank’s mission, aspiration and shared value. The outcome of all these efforts has now been incorporated in a document, known as Strategic Plan 1995 – 2000.

It was during Ahmad Don’s tenure that Asia was hit by speculative attacks on its currencies. Although the prescribed monetary policy action was to tighten interest rates, Malaysia, under then Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, imposed capital controls, pegged the ringgit to the US dollar and slashed lending rates. In disagreement over the move, Ahmad Don and his deputy, Fong Weng Phak, resigned in August 1998.

6) Tan Sri Ali Abul Hassan Sulaiman (1998 – 2000)

Tan Sri Ali Abul Hassan took over as the sixth governor during the height of the Asian financial crisis in 1998. During his tenure, he adopted a proactive and business-friendly policy to revive the economy.

His main focus was to improve Malaysia’s economy with specific initiatives to stimulate domestic and foreign investments. During his time, Ali Abul Hassan steered Bank Negara to greater heights, particularly in working hand-in-hand with other government agencies, to bring the economy back to shape.

Ali Abul Hassan retired in May 2000 and was appointed special economic adviser in following year to then Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

7) Tan Sri Dr. Zeti Akhtar Aziz (2000 to present)

Tan Sri Dr. Zeti Akhtar Aziz took over the governor position from Tan Sri Ali Abul Hassan from May 2000 and has became the first women in Malaysia that holds BNM governor position. She is the seventh and current governor of Bank Negara Malaysia.

Specimen Note and Replacement Notes

What is a Specimen Note?

Answer:
A specimen note is a sample note, usually with a special serial number (i.e. an all-zero serial number such as 000000) and an overprint or perforation with the word "Specimen" in the language of the country of origin. Some specimen notes have punch holes at the corners or centre of the note, while others come without any serial numbers. Specimen notes are usually distributed to banks, treasuries and law enforcement agencies to familiarize them with newly issued currency. They are not intended to be used as actual currency.

What are Replacement Notes?

Answer:
Replacement notes are notes issued to replace damaged notes. These notes usually have a star, asterisk or special prefix in the serial number to indicate that they are replacements. Due to their scarcity, they can command a significant premium over regular issued notes.

Grading / Condition of Coins

Grading / Condition of Coins

PROOF Issues that are of restricted quantity and quality above that of coins intended for circulation. Double-struck on mirror-finish coin blank, generally with frosted designs.

Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) Highest quality production-run issues minted for circulation with blazing original and exceptional mint luster, no trace of wear and virtually no bag marks.

Uncirculated (UNC) Coins that are in the condition as minted without any signs of circulation but may have traces of bag marks.

About Uncirculated (AU) Original mint luster with traces of wear at the highest points. Very minimal scratches and other very fine marks due to handling.

Extremely Fine (EF) All design details sharp, light wear at highest points. Minimal scratches and other marks. Usually some of the mint luster is visible on coins of this grade.

Very Fine (VF) Generally light wear at the point of design, moderate wear at high points. Details relatively still remain sharp overall.

Fine (F) Moderate even wear, bold entire design with some weaknesses. Details may remain visible, some minor nicks and scratches may be expected.

Very Good (VG) Well and considerable wear. Bold major designs and absence of fine detailing. Stained or have scratches and nicks etc.

Good (G) Heavily worn. Major designs visible, but with faintness in areas.

1st Series of Banknote

The first series of Malaysian Banknotes were issued by Bank Negara Malaysia (Central Bank of Malaysia) on 12th June 1967 in 5 denominations namely $1, $5, $10, $50 and $100. Subsequently, the $1000 denomination was issued on the following year in 1968. These series of banknotes adopted the design colour code during the colonial times i.e. blue, green, red etc.

This first series of note consists of four different types. The original type or Type 1 which was issued from 1967 to 1972 (images as shown below) adopted the old Malay spelling. It is noted that the words 'Di-Perlakukan' and 'Gobenor' were used. Also, for high denominations such as $10, $50, $100 and $1000 where the old Malay spelling of SA-PULOH (Ten Dollars), LIMA PULOH (Fifty Dollars), SA-RATUS (One Hundred Dollar) and SA-RIBU (One Thounsand) were observed on the notes.

The subsequent revised type of this series of note or Type 2 which was issued from 1972 to 1976 adopted the new Malay spelling. The word 'Di-Perlakukan' and 'Governor' had been changed to 'Diperlakukan' and 'Gobenur'. The new Malay spelling of SEPULUH, LIMA PULUH, SERATUS and SERIBU were used. All other designs remain unchanged.

The Type 3 of the first series was introduced from 1976 to 1981. A slight change on the design for $1, $5 and $10. It is noted that dollars sign at the bottom left corner of these three notes were removed. All other features or designs remain unchange.

The Type 4 of the first series was circulated from 1981 to 1983. The only changes is on its previous type was the governor's signature. The new Bank Negara Malaysia governor Tan Sri Dato' Abd Aziz bin Hj Taha took over the position left by Tun Ismail Mohd Ali.

Some of my notes collection

Sa-Puluh Ringgit Singnature of Ismail Md Ali