Niewmismatic Error Coins

Malaya Trengganu Tin Jokoh 1907 Teck Soon Kongsi(SS44A)
Rarity: Scarce

Trengganu Jokoh (Private Monetary Tokens)

In the early past in Trengganu, the Sultan permitted the Chinese Kaptans (chinese headman) to start issuing monetary tokens which were called JOKOH around 1877 for use in their gambling dens and areas under their jurisdiction. These Jokoh were legal tender in the capital and nearby areas. The acceptance of these Jokoh by the general public depended upon widespread confidence in the ability of the issuers to redeem them with silver dollars when required.

The Jokoh were made of tin or pewter and were based on the familiar cash coins of China; a circular coin with a square central hole. The word Jokoh is derived from the Malay word "Jongkong" which refers to a hollowed out boat but in this context referred to the central hole in the Jokoh. Some of the Jokoh imitate the words found on the Chinese cash. The Jokoh also had Jawi inscriptions on them so as to enable the Malays to recognize the issuer. Some of the Jokoh have a thin wire or other metal impressed in the flan while others occur with several countermarks. This was inserted by  the issuer to prevent forgery.

According to Hugh Clifford, the official rate of exchange of the Jokoh in 1895 was as follows:

1 Jokoh=2 1/2 cents
1 Jokoh= 24 keping
5 Jokoh=1 Kupang(gold)
20 Jokoh=1 Mas(gold)
40 Jokoh=1 Spanish or Mexican Dollar (100 cents)

Source:Saran Singh AMN,FRNS.

Obverse: 

Within a circle of dots in Chinese "Teck Soon Kongsi" (Teck Soon Company). Two dotted circles.

Reverse: 

Within two circles of dots in Jawi "Sin" and "Hee'  (isuser’s name Sin Hee)  above and below the hole. To the left and right of the central hole are the lions rampant but without holding a trident in the paws. 

This Jokoh token has a plain edge, weight 7.50 grammes with diameter of 32 mm and the composition is tin (square central hole)