TRENGGANU JOKOH HIAP HIN COMPANY

Trengganu  Jokoh "Hiap Hin Kongsi" 1895(SS38)

Rarity:RR

Jokoh Trengganu is a private monetary tokens.Trengganu 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 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 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 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 the issuer to prevent forgery.

Obverse:Within an ornamental border and circle of dots the Chinese characters "Hiap Hin Kongsi" (Hiap Hin Company).The edge is counterstamped with the Chinese "Chi" (Auspicious).

Reverse: In Jawi " Ini Juru Bahasa Punya" (This is the Inthepreters) within an ornamental ring of stars. Two countermarks in Chinese " Hiap Hin" on the right and "Kongsi" on the left.On some specimens the position of the countermarks is transposed. An anti forgery wire is incorporated into the coin surface.
(Source:Saran Singh).

Edge : Plain.
Weight: 9.90gm.
Diameter:34mm.
Composition: Tin (Square central hole)
RSP:RM450/GEF