Niewmismatic Error Coins

Pahang Tin Jokoh (Private Monetary Tokens) SS28, SS29 & SS33.
Rarity: RRR

During the reign of Bendahara Wan Ahmad (Sultan after 1882), it was the practice for rich Chinese towkays (businessmen or merchants) to operate gambling dens. The right to operate these gambling dens could only be obtained with the prior approval of the Sultan who use to farm out the gambling rights by issuing a licence to the highest bidder. The operators or lessees of these gamblings dens then had to seek the approval of the Sultan to mint their own Jokoh ( private monetary tokens) for use in their gambling premises. The issue of Jokoh was necessary as the use of the bulky Tampangs  ("Tin Hat money") was very inconvenient.

These Jokoh were legal tender in Pahang and circulated side by side with the official Tampang coinage issued by the Sultan. The exchange rate was four Jokohs = one large Tampang (size 75mm x 75mm) = four cents. Pahang was the only State where the Jokoh were equal to one cent or 100 Jokoh = one dollar. In the other Malay States i.e. Kelantan and Trengganu, the Jokoh were equal to 2.1/2 Cents or 40 Jokoh = one Spanish or Mexican Dollar.

Most of the Pahang Jokoh bear Chinese inscriptions on both sides with the exception of a few pieces which also include Jawi. The Chinese inscriptions on the Jokohs indicate either the name or the sign under which the shop, establishment, firm or company operated. The reverse usually make common references to particular gambling games (e.g. Fan Tan, Chap Jee Kee etc;) or convey good luck wishes. Others wish their possessor good fortune in drawing cards, dominoes, throwing the dice etc.

Although these Jokoh were not issued under the direct control of the Sultan's mint or treasury, the official character of these Jokoh being used as coins is clearly indicated on several pieces. Some of these Jokohs denote that they were for general circulation or State currency.

With the advent of British protection in Pahang in 1888, these Jokoh gradually fell out of use and were replaced with the coinage of the Straits Settlements. All Jokohs of Pahang are very rare and seldom seen.

Code: SS28/RRR
Obverse: In Chinese " Seng Hua Pang Hang ". Seng Hua is the name of the issuer. " Pang Hang " is the transliteration in the Amoy dialect for Pahang. Countermarked with "Sin" (trustworthy).

Reverse: In Chinese " Cai Sing Kong Zhau" ( Shine by the fortune star)

Edge: Plain.

Weight:

Diameter:

Composition: Tin (square central hole).

Code: SS29/RRR
Obverse: In Chinese " Kok Liu Thong Poh"

Reverse: In Chinese " Cheng Soon". In Jawi " Aku Punya " (Ah Ku 's token)

Edge: Plain

Weight:
 

Diameter:
Composition: Tin (square central hole).

Note: The Batavian Museum acquired a specimen of the above Jokoh in 1885 and recorded its origin as Kwantan, i.e. Kuantan, Pahang.
The Jawi inscription " Aku(punya)" is the name of a Chinese issuer who may have been called Ah Ku. Literally translated " Aku punya" means (This is mine).


Code: SS33/RRR
Obverse: In Chinese " Kok Liu Thong Poh"



Reverse: In Chinese "Wan Si Cu Yuan" ( Everything realize as wish)

Countermarked with " Li " (Profit)

Edge: Plain

Weight:

Diameter:
Composition: Tin (square central hole).


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

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