Niewmismatic Error Coins

Malaya and British Borneo One dollar 1953.
 The Malaya and British Borneo dollar (known as the ringgit in Malay) was the currency of Malaya, Singapore, Sarawak, North Borneo, Brunei and Riau archipelago from 1953 to 1967.

The currency was issued by the Board of Commissioners of Currency, Malaya and British Borneo. Prior to 1952, the board was known as the Board of Commissioners of Currency, Malaya.

The Malaya and British Borneo dollar was used in Malaya after independence in 1957, and in Malaysia after its formation in 1963, as well as in Singapore after its independence in 1965. After 1967, the two countries and Brunei ended the common currency arrangement and began issuing their own currencies. However, the Malaya and British Borneo dollar continued to be legal tender until 16 January 1969. The currency was also being used in the Riau Archipelago in Indonesia prior to 1963.

The Malaya and British Borneo One dollar 1953 series
All notes bear the date 21 March 1953, and signed by W.C. Taylor, the Chairman of the Board of Commissioner of Currency. The 1, 5 and 10 dollar notes were printed by Waterlow and Sons, the 50 and 100 dollar notes were printed by Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co. Ltd. and the 1,000 and 10,000 dollar notes were printed by Thomas de la Rue & Co. Ltd.. As a safeguard against forgery, a broken security thread and the watermark of a lion's head were incorporated in the paper before printing.
(From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

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Attention !!
Malaysia Numismatic Society Auction No.166  20th.December.2015 Special Preview.Lot:1 to 330
Countdown 2 Days.

To view auction items, you are invited to visit my Blog: Niewmismatic Error Coins, these are the links:
http://dniewcollectors.blogspot.my/2015/12/mns-auction-no166special-preview-lot1.html
http://dniewcollectors.blogspot.my/2015/12/mns-auction-no166special-preview-lot51.html
http://dniewcollectors.blogspot.my/2015/12/mns-auction-no166special-preview-lot101.html
http://dniewcollectors.blogspot.my/2015/12/mns-auction-no166special-preview-lot151.html
http://dniewcollectors.blogspot.my/2015/12/mns-auction-no166special-preview-lot201.html
http://dniewcollectors.blogspot.my/2015/12/mns-auction-no166special-preview-lot251.html
http://dniewcollectors.blogspot.my/2015/12/mns-auction-no166special-preview-lot301.html


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Available at Dickson Niew Collection shop:


Frank Goon Book by Spink. RM750. (Issued only 600 copies) Limited stocks !



Published by Numis Coins & Notes -Raymond Chang. (Issued only 3,333 copies) RM35


At: Dickson Niew Collection Corner at Subang Jaya
No.58, Jalan SS14/2, 47500, Subang Jaya, Selangor.
Or email or sms your name, contact numbers and address to:
Email:dicksonniew33@gmail.com or sms to 017-9796337. 

 Banknotes Grading Standards
Almost everyday, I was asked by my BlogSpot, facebook and my Dickson Niew Collection shop visitors how to determine the value of a banknote that they showed to me.

If you are going to be a coins and banknotes collector or freelance dealer, I suggest to you:
Firstly, go to buy a catalog and read through the topics on banknotes and coin grading standards, is an essential and important homework that you need to do. Secondly, go to visit your most trusted dealers (good to have more then one) ask and learn from them (please ask politely with relevant questions) Thirdly, try to grade your own self and ask for second opinion from someone with good grading knowledge.

You may also visit internet and search for articles on banknotes and coins grading standards. I hereby would like to share some good information on banknotes grading standards provided by International Bank Note Society (IBNS).

Grading is the most controversial component of paper money collecting today. Small differences in grade can mean significant differences in value. The process of grading is so subjective and dependant on external influences such as lighting, that even a very experienced individual may well grade the same note differently on separate occasions.

To facilitate communication between sellers and buyers, it is essential that grading terms and their meanings be standardized and as widely used as possible. This standardization should reflect common usage as much as practicable. One difficulty with grading is that even the actual grades themselves are not used every place and by everyone. For example, in Europe the grade “About Uncirculated” (AU) is not in general use, yet in North America it is widespread. The European term “GoodVF” may roughly correspond to what individuals in North America would call “EF”

The grades and definitions as set forth below cannot reconcile all the various systems and grading terminology variants. Rather, the attempt is made here to try and diminish the controversy with some common sense grades and definitions that aim to give more precise meaning to the grading language of paper money.

How to look at a Bank note
In order to ascertain the grade of a note, it is essential to examine it out of a holder and under a good light. Move the note around so that the light bounces off at different angles. Try holding it up obliquely so that the note is almost even with your eye as you look up at the light. Hard-to-see folds or slight creases will show up under such examination. Some individuals also lightly feel along the surface of the note to detect creasing.

Cleaning, Washing, Pressing of Bank notes

1.Cleaning, washing or pressing paper money is generally harmful and reduces both the grade and the value of a note. At the very least, a washed or pressed note may lose its original sheen and its surface may become lifeless and dull. The defects a note had, such as folds and creases, may not necessarily be completely eliminated and their telltale marks can be detected under a good light. Carelessly washed notes may have white streaks where the folds or creases were (or still are).

2.Processing of a note which started out as Extremely Fine will automatically reduce it at least one full grade.

Glue, tape, or pencil marks may sometimes be successfully removed. While such removal will have a cleaned surface, it will improve the overall appearance of the note without concealing any of its defects. Under such circumstances, the grade of the note may also be improved.

The words “pinholes”, “staple holes”, “trimmed”, “writing on face”, “tape marks”, etc. should always be added to the description of a note. It is realized that certain countries routinely staple their notes together in groups before issue. In such cases, the description can include a comment such as “usual staple holes” or something similar. After all, not everyone knows that such-and-such a note cannot be found otherwise.

The major point of this section is that one cannot lower the overall grade of a note with defects simply because of the defects. The price will reflect the lowered worth of a defective note, but the description must always include the specific defects.

The Term “Uncirculated”
The word “Uncirculated”: is used in this grading guide only as a qualitative measurement of the appearance of a note. It has nothing at all to do with whether or not an issuer has actually released the note to circulation. Thus the term “About Uncirculated” is justified and acceptable because so many notes that have never seen hand-to-hand use have been mishandled so that they are available in, at best, AU condition. Either a note is uncirculated in condition or it not; there can be no degree of uncirculated.  Highlights or defects in color, centering and the like may be included in the description but the fact that a note is or is not in uncirculated condition should not be a disputable point

Grading Guide - Definition of Terms
UNCIRCULATED (UNC):
A perfectly preserved note, never mishandled by the issuing authority, a bank teller, the public or a collector. Paper is clean and firm, without discoloration. Corners are sharp and square, without any evidence of rounding. (Rounded corners are often telltale sign of a cleaned or “doctored” note.) An uncirculated note will have its original natural sheen.
NOTE: Some note issues are most often available with slight evidence of counting folds (creases). Also, French-printed notes usually have a sight ripple in the paper. Many collectors and dealers often refer to such a note as AU-UNC.

ABOUT UNCIRCULATED (aUNC or AU):
A virtually perfect note, with some minor handling. May show evidence of 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 has usually “broken” the surface of a note. Paper is clean and bright with original sheen. Corners are not rounded.
NOTE: Europeans will refer to an About Uncirculated or AU note as “EF-UNC” or as just “EF”. The extremely fine note described below will often be referred to as “GVF” or “Good Very Fine”.

EXTREMELY FINE (EF or XF): 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. There may also be 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. May have a number of 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 folding. Colors are clear but not 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 be seen at center from excessive folding. Staple and pinholes are usually present, and the note itself is quite limp but NO pieces of the note can be missing. A note in VG condition may still have an overall not unattractive 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 may be missing. Graffiti is commonly seen on notes in Good condition.

FAIR: A totally limp, dirty and very well used note. Larger pieces may be half torn off or missing, beside the defects mentioned under the Good category. Tears will be larger, obscured portions of the note will be bigger.

POOR (PR): A “rag” with severe damage because of wear, staining, pieces missing, graffiti, larger holes. May have tape holding pieces of the note together. Trimming may have taken place to remove rough edges. A Poor note is desirable only as a ”filler” or when such note is the only one known of that particular issue.
Source:(http://www.theibns.org/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4&Itemid=25)

Malaysia Banknote RM10 With Prefix MY1234567.
Rarity:RRR

The "MY" prefix can be very interesting to collect by Banknotes collectors because it is an acronym of Malaysia. It is just like the Singaporean are very interested to collect banknotes with "SG" prefix and the Chinese love to collect banknotes with "CN" prefix.
Today, my long lost numismatic friend cum customer called me to tell me about his RM10 with "MY" prefix and consecutive progression "Ladder" number, i.e. 1234567.

A serial number that contains a consecutive progression or regression of numbers is called a "Ladder" numbers. There are an increasing uptrend of local collectors who are looking forward to collect the banknotes with "Ladder" numbers on various denomination of RM1,RM2,RM5, RM10, RM20, RM50 and RM100. The prices for these "Ladder" number banknotes are relatively more expensive.

Really the only true ladder is a serial number than contains a prefix letter then 1234567. True ladders are rare and command a premium. It is easy for someone to spot serial number XX0000001 and realize it is valuable. It takes a much keener eye to consider saving a banknote with "Ladder" numbers.

There are also many other examples of ladders. Some people would consider AA0012345 to be a ladder. Others might call AA0034567 a ladder. The next closest thing to a true ladder in terms of value is the true reverse, backwards, or step down ladder. It looks like AA7654321 in its best form. Reverse ladders are fun, but they are always less desirable than up ladders.

A cheap form of a ladder comes in the “broken” ladder. It reads something like AA1200304. Some people like these, but they are really just more affordable versions of what people really want. Some collectors may even collect the “scrambled ladder.” The scrambled ladder consists of 7 unique numbers, like AA6237514. To my opinion these notes don’t carry a premium.

This 21st Edition of The Standard Catalogue Of Malaysia-Singapore-Brunei Coin & Paper Money catalogue will be sold at RM93.00. (US$29.00)
 You may BOOK your COPY:
At: Dickson Niew Collection at Subang Jaya
No.58, Jalan SS14/2, 47500, Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia.
Please email or sms your name,contact numbers and address to:
Email: dicksonniew33@gmail.com or 
sms to +6 017-.9796337

Malaysia 10th Series 1999 Banknote $1.00 CR Prefix Graded PMG67 EPQ.
Rarity: RRR

This rare "unissued" CR RM1.00 banknote with Banks' Governor Tan Sri Dato' Seri Ali Abul Hassan signature in the center was prepared for use in 1999 but was not issued. However, for some good reasons, 50,000 pieces were released by accident through a commercial bank located in the Northern part of Malaysia.

So far recorded serial numbers found were CR720XXXX, CR721XXXX, CR722XXXX, CR723XXXX and CR724XXXX. I was told by a collector, they had found the first piece (CR7200000) and the last piece (CR7250000) but both were only in about very find condition.

Its first appearance in our local catalogue was in the 3rd Edition (1786-2006) of "A COMPLETE EDUCATIONAL REFERENCE MALAYSIA BANKNOTES AND COINS", edited by K.N.Boon published in September 2006. Price quoted for this only Prefix CR banknote was RM500 for an uncirculated (UNC) note.

It was no mention in Steven Tan's 17th Edition Catalogue (2005-2007)  published in 2005. This rare banknote was started to be listed in Steven Tan's 18th Edition Catalogue (2007-2009) published in 2007. Its listed prices were RM250/VF, RM380/EF and RM750 for an UNC note.

In the year of 2008, when K.N. Boon published his 4th Edition Catalogue, the listed price for a piece of this rare CR RM1.00 banknote in UNC condition was surged to a new record high of RM2300. In Steven Tan's 19th Edition Catalogue published in 2010, it was priced at RM1800 only for an UNC note.

Two years later, in 2012, when K.N.Boon's 6th Edition Catalogue was published, a new record price was listed at RM2800 for an UNC note. Steven Tan listed RM2400 in his 20th Edition Catalogue published in 2012.

In K.N. Boon latest catalogue, published just two months ago, he had priced this  rare "unissued" CR banknote at RM3500. A couple of months ago, my Singaporean numismatic friend had bidded an uncirculated CR RM1.00 in a Singapore local international auction house for SGD 2,300.(RM6877 including buyer's premium).

Last Sunday, I met an local renown numismatist in Amcorp Mall, he told me his client had just sold 4 pieces of UNC (not graded by PMG) rare CR RM1.00 Banknotes in running numbers to a Singaporean collector for RM24,000. Cheers!

Malaysia BNM 8 th Series ZB RM2.00 Replacement Banknote.
Rarity:RRR

Among the Malaysia replacement banknotes, the 8th Series ZB RM2.00 side signature by BNM Governor Tan Sri Dato' Ahmad Bin Mohd Don is one of the most wanted by the banknote collectors.

It was issued between 1996 to 1998. In 2006, it was priced at RM650.In year 2008, its market value went up to RM1000. Its market price advanced to RM1500 in year 2012 and in KN Boon latest catalog (1786-2014), it was priced at RM2500. However, I was told by my customers, the actual market value for a raw (not graded) uncirculated ZB RM2.00 replacement banknote today is worth more then RM4000.00.

It has been quiet a while I have not seen any uncirculated  ZB RM2.00 replacement banknote transacted in the market. I received many enquiries at my Dickson Niew Collection shop.

This is my latest collected  ZB RM2.00 replacement banknote. It was graded PMG65 EPQ (Exceptional Paper Quality),finest known. And within the next day,it was sold to a buyer from down south.

Inaugural Kuala Lumpur International Money Fair 2002


In the year of 2002, we in the MNS have something to shout about, in the sense that we have opened our door to the world. Our sincere thanks go to The Royal Mint of Malaysia, the official sponsors of the Inaugural Kuala Lumpur International Money Fair 2002. The Organisers, Protemp Exhibitors Sdn Bhd have taken a bold step in organizing this prestigious event which covered a period of three (3) days from 1st - 3rd November 2002. The venue was none other than the renowned Putra World Trade Centre or better known as PWTC which is in the heart of Kuala Lumpur.

Bi-Metal Medallion Of "THE KUALA LUMPUR INTERNATIONAL MONEY FAIR (KLIMOF) 2002" Obverse.

The event was a great success. It saw the participation of both the local and foreign dealers. Reputable and established dealers from United States, England and Down Under made their presence felt. The crowed far exceeded the Organisers expectation. Our King and our beloved Prime Minister Tun  DR. MAHATHIR BIN MOHAMAD made an impromptu visit and mingled with the crowd.

Touching on the exhibition, special mention must be made of the Pavilion erected by Bank Negara Malaysia. They set up a magnificent Pavilion that occupied centre stage. To compliment it, they displayed a unique collection of un-adopted patterns of Malaya and British Borneo Banknotes, which also included the $1,000 and $10,000 pieces. Also on display was the printing machine for printing Japanese Occupation Banknotes. It was truly a crowd puller.
The highlights of Money Fair was our very own MSN Auction comprising auction items of 350 lots, Lot Number 170 which was a complete set of 50 Cents Specimen Banknotes dated 1st July 1941 with all the four (4) varieties bearing Serial nos. 000000, went under hammer at RM10,000 to local collectors. It was rather happy to mention lot number 309 which was a 6th Series Malaysia RM100, Replacement Banknote with Tan Sri Dato Jaffar Hussein's signature and printed by United Sates Banknote Company bearing Serial no. ZU 0000009 was won by a local bidder, who knew the scarcity. This banknote was knock down at RM7,150 (inclusive of 10% commission). Apparently,  the consignee only paid RM160 in the late 1980's and he is laughing his way to the bank during then.
Source: Lawrence De Souza

 S.M. Alsagoff  Constantinople Estate, Kukup, Johore 1878 One Dollar Banknote

Rarity:RRRR


One of my senior numismatist friend from down South is sharing with my Blog visitors his rare piece of Johore private paper currency issued on 1st of May 1878 by Constantinople Estate, Kukup in Johore by Tuan Syed Muhaammad bin Ahmad Alsagoff for their employees to use within the estates.


It was a hand written signatures and with rubber stamped serial numbers. On the reverse of the notes is blank with a small sign of rhombus design printed at the center of the notes. It was printed in black by the Al'Sa'aidi Press of Singapore.



A piece of similar notes with serial numbered 170 was listed  in Mr.Steven Tan and Frank Goon's catalog and  an other piece stamped with serial number: 95 was listed in KN Boon's catalog, both were measured at 127mm X 106mm in size. This piece is carrying the serial number of 96 and measured at 147mm X 110mm in size.


This Johore private paper currency is already 135 years old.

Board Of Commissioners Of Currency Malaya & British Borneo $10.00 Banknotes With Mismatched Serial Numbers

Rarity:RRR


One or more numerals of one serial number may not exactly match the same numerals of a second serial number overprinted on the obverse or reverse of a note.Serial numbers are commonly applied to a note after the face and back designs have already been completed.The serials numbers are usually added by a pair of counting wheels manually set and then automatically advanced as a new sheet is moved into position.


To a far lesser extent,the prefix letter that begins a serial number or the suffix letter at the end may mismatched from one serial number to the other on the same note. A mismatched serial number or prefix (or suffix) letter is sometimes caused when the two counting wheels are not initially set to a accurately coinside with one another. In this case, notes on subsequent sheets will have mismatched serial numbers until the error (which is not always immediately apparent) is first discovered and rectified.


This uncirculated Malaya & British Borneo $10 Banknote,1st March 1961,signed by Tun Tan Siew Sin ( The formal Financial Chairman),printed by Thomas De La Rue is a mismatched serial numbers caused by a stuck digit.It was shown to me by my newly met numismatic's friend when I was attending the Numismatic Society (Asia) Singapore Auction on 20-04-2013 recently.








Thank you Mr.Sum (Singapore) for sharing.

http://dniewcollectors.blogspot.com/2013/04/result-of-numismatic-society-asia.html 
http://dniewcollectors.blogspot.com/2013/04/result-of-numismatic-society-asia_27.html 
http://dniewcollectors.blogspot.com/2013/04/result-of-numismatic-society-asia_1952.html
http://dniewcollectors.blogspot.com/2013/04/result-of-numismatic-society-asia_7114.html 
http://dniewcollectors.blogspot.com/2013/04/result-of-numismatic-society-asia_4911.html 

Malaysia 6th Series ZU Replacement Note Sold For RM40600.00

Rarity:RRRR


A Malaysia 6th series (1986-1995) 100 ringgit ZU replacement note,signed by Bank Negara Governor Tan Sri Dato' Jaffar Bin Hussein and printed by United States Banknote ZU0000005 was sold in recent Mavin Auction No.33 on 29 March 2013 for a new record price of SGD16247.00 (RM40600.00 including buyer's premium and 7% GST on buyer's premium)


It was graded by Paper Money Guaranty (PMG) as PMG Choice AU58 EPQ (Exceptional Paper Quality). It is a very low serial number replacement banknote.


I was extremely happy today because the Singaporean proud owner of  this very rare ZU RM100 replacement banknote purposely brought his rare collection visited my Dickson Niew Collection Corner (DNCC) at Subang Jaya this afternoon. He wants me to take a good look before he return it to his "Strong Room" of a bank in Singapore. I am really and sincerely feel thankful for his kindness and generosity rendered to me.


This Malaysia 6th series (1986-1995) 100 ringgit ZU replacement note is always on the top list of banknotes sought after by Malaysia banknotes serious collectors. I was told by local renown banknotes collectors,the number of pieces available for this ZU replacement note are extremely low. The highest serial number recorded is ZU0000027,it is in the possession of a Klang numismatist.

Malaysia RM100 Banknotes 1982-1998 With Different Governors,Printers and Replacement Notes.

MALAYSIA RM100 5th Series


These banknotes were issued between the years 1982 – 1984. The Bank Negara governor who signed these banknotes was Tan Sri Dato Abdul Aziz bin Haji Taha and the printer was Thomas De La Rue . Only three alphabet prefixes were issued and they are ZA, ZB and ZC. The replacement for this series is ZZ. ZC is the scarcest of the three not mention ZZ which is very scarce in high grade. Market price for the four banknotes is about RM8000 in UNC.


MALAYSIA RM100 6th Series 


The 6th series is long starting from 1985 and ending in 1995. The banknotes carry the signature of Tan Sri Dato Jaffar bin Hussein and there are two printers . The alphabet prefixes for the first printer Thomas De La Rue were ZD, ZE, ZF. ZG, ZH, ZJ, ZK, ZL, ZM, ZN, ZP, ZQ, ZR, ZS, ZT and ZX. They were only five alphabet prefixes for the second printer United States Banknote Co. namely ZT, ZV, ZW, ZX and ZY. The replacement ZU is Rare and expensive with a market price of around RM30,000. Only about twenty five pieces are known to exist and they are only seen in single or double digit serial numbers with the highest serial number known is ZU0000027. The alphabet prefix ZX by Thomas De La Rue is even Rarer than the United States Banknote Co replacement with only about a dozen recorded and about half of them in average or low grades. The printer Thomas De La Rue starts again with alphabet prefixes ZY, ZZ, AA, AB, AC, AD, AE, AF and AG. The alphabet prefix AG only seen with AG’0’ and the replacement for this series is also ZU.


MALAYSIA RM100 7th Series 


This is the last series with this design and they were issued between 1995 to 1998. Tan Sri Dato Ahmad bin Mohd Don was the governor and there were also two printers. Thomas De La Rue continues with alphabet prefixes AG, AH, AJ, AK, AL and AM. The last printer Harrison & Sons only printed two alphabet prefixes AN and AP. ZU is the replacement for both these printers.

CONCULUSION A complete set of RM100 for 5th, 6th and 7th series consists of forty six banknotes with the replacements and there are only about THREE but not more than FIVE sets around.

Source: charles de souza