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 Replies: 10 / Views: 2,998 |
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Pillar of the Community
Thailand
1509 Posts |
I just acquired this rather nice Straits Settlement dollar (1935) but was intrigued by the stamp on the reverse. First part fairly obvious "GOLDEN WEDDING MR. & MRS. KAM TENG BOON 14th OCT:2604". But the year date? After some research I found it was the ancient Japanese Imperial calendar (starting at Emperor Jimmu and the foundation of Japan in 660 BC). So the date is equivalent to 1944. This put it during the time of the Japanese occupation of the area although many native people saw it as a time of liberation from the yolk of British and Dutch colonialism. Funny how an invasion by another "colonial" power can make one think like that. Just thought I'd share anyway.   Edited by thai-vic
11/27/2009 11:54 pm
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
1082 Posts |
That's very interesting. Why they used a George V note instead of a George VI note, I don't know...one would think all of these had been withdrawn from circulation by them. Quote:
Funny how an invasion by another "colonial" power can make one think like that. True. It all depends on the historical bias of the person coining the phrase. Around here (Manitoba), a historic event, "The Red River Rebellion" (as it was taught to us in history class) is known among the Metis people as "The Red River Resistence" instead. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2605 Posts |
Depending on the social standing of Mr. & Mrs. Kam Teng Boon they could have felt nostalgic about British rule, and Geo V's in particular.
And was there currency issued under Geo VI?
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Pillar of the Community
 Thailand
1509 Posts |
Just checked and George V was the only king ever featured on Straits Settlements banknotes. Whether they were still legal issue under the Japanese I have no idea. The closest equivalent for banknotes in that area and at that time would have been occupation dollar issues from Malaya (the Philippines had pesos).
So if they were not legal currency at the time perhaps Mr & Mrs Boon issued them as invitations for the celebration of their anniversary or they were handed out as souvenirs to their guests?
As for the Red River Rebellion/Resistance yes it does depend on your standpoint. Ahh history, fascinating subject.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
1082 Posts |
You are both right...there were no Straits Settlements dollars with George VI -- by then, it was Malayan dollars. And there again, why did they use obsolete currency?
Might have been a bit of showing off, also, perhaps.
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Moderator
 Australia
16829 Posts |
It's a curious item indeed. Standard practice in Japanese occupied territories was withdrawl of the currency of the previous owners and replacement with JIM - "Japanese Invasion Money". Once the JIM was introduced, usage and ownership of the old currency was illegal. It would have been very brave of them to use the obsolete currency to make a souvenir.
Don't say "infinitely" when you mean "very"; otherwise, you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite. - C. S. Lewis
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Valued Member
Singapore
68 Posts |
I think this 1935 $1 SS note is interesting. As I am in this part of the world, I have never heard or seen anyone using a dollar note to print their important event on the note. As what Thai-vic mentioned, it may be a give-away to relatives attending their golden wedding celebration. Maybe a small celebration party, these early Straits Settlements note could have been Mr. Kam ( surname of Chinese are at the start of the Chinese name, not Boon ) banknote collection. He may use them to give it to his grandchildren, relatives etc. Golden Anniversary is 50 years. The date 14 Oct 1944 is mostly like the date of their wedding. Add 50 years, it could have been celebrated on the 14 Oct 1994. That is one possibility. On the other hand, it may be possible that the golden anniversary is on the 14 Oct 1944. They could have been married on the 14 Oct 1894. As to why they uses the Straits Settlements note, they were married in 1894, which is still under the Straits Settlements period. Here is one of my Straits Settlement 1935 $1 which I collected last year. It's an almost solid 2.   |
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Pillar of the Community
Thailand
1509 Posts |
Hi EmperorFives, a very nice example you have. I've just re-examined mine and I'm still of the opinion that it's contemporary with 1944. The lettering looks typed but there's no indentation on the other side as you might expect. The type certainly looks 'old-fashioned' and I can't think they would set up a printing machine to make such an addition so how about a 'John Bull Printing set'? Now I've done a close up of the printing you'll see a ghost on some of the letters and also the left curve of the 'G' tucks under the serif on the 'N' so may not be 'John Bull'. The mystery deepens.  |
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Valued Member
Singapore
68 Posts |
The wordings maybe printed using a typewriter since there are shadows. This is due to the red ribbon ( ink ). Check whether is there any depression on the reverse of the note. If not, then it could be a rubber ink stamp specially made for it. These are probably the only two methods available for the printed red letterings during that period.
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Pillar of the Community
Thailand
1509 Posts |
There's no depression on the other side as you might expect from a typewriter (they tend to be harsh when striking paper). So I'll go with rubber ink stamp (that was the John Bull printing set reference I made earlier, nearly all my friends had one 40-50 years ago).
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Valued Member
Singapore
68 Posts |
In that case, it should be the rubber ink stamp.
The thing about banknotes / coin is that if you do know the history in term of who was the previous owner, it get a bit more interesting and may want to find out more about them. Take for example, some banknotes were previously kept by well-known figure such as King, well-known collector may raise the prices of the banknotes. A good example is King Farouk. I am sure all is coins and banknotes are now collected by world collectors. I once show a pair of gold medallion once kept by King Farouk. It was a present from China to King Farouk. It was on sales previously. An interesting pair of item.
I have a few pieces of fancy numbers Malayan 1941 KGVI banknotes which I previously purchased from dealer who told me that the collection were previoulsy collected by a collector who passed away. His notes were being sold off by his wife who do not have much interest in banknotes. Collectors will only temporarily hold them for a short time and will again continue it's journey with the next future collector.
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Replies: 10 / Views: 2,998 |
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Posted 11/27/2009 11:51 pm
