Old Kedah Tin Cockerel Currency

Old Kedah Currency

Malaysia is a multiracial country rich in history, culture, cuisine, wildlife, biodiversity and natural resources. God is kind to us. I thank Allah SWT for all his bountiful blessings.

The Peninsular Malaysia consists of 11 states, Johor, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Selangor, Perak, Perlis, Pulau Pinang, Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu & Pahang.

Kedah played a significant role in Malaysian history and is believed to be one of the oldest kingdoms in Peninsular Malaysia. But it was overshadowed by old Melaka due too many historic inaccuracy in the documentation found regarding old Kedah. Old Melaka on the other hand had a more complete and comprehensive documentation coverage. Hence, old Kedah being sidelined by old Melaka. 

Kedah today is also known by its honorific Darul Aman (Abode of Peace). It is the rice bowl of Malaysia, accounting about half the total rice production of Malaysia.

Kedah Flag (Picture from Internet)

In the Emblem, the Crescent signifies Islam, the Shield symbolizes the role of the Ruler as the Protector and Guardian of his subjects and all the inhabitants of the state against an unjust government. Whilst, the Yellow Wreath of Padi stands for the state’s principal product, rice. The Red in the background, is the traditional colour of the state, signifies Prosperity.

Map of Old Trade Route Between South India, Kedah & China (Picture from Internet)

Old kedah was also known as Kalah Bar, Kataha or Kadaram.

From recent historic records, it was ascertained that Kedah was a hustling and bustling place, during its heyday namely Bujang Valley.

More than 50 Chandi (Tomb temples) dating more than 2,000 years old, have been unearthed here. The most well preserved is located in Pengkalan Bujang, Merbok. In the Bujang Valley an area known as Sungai Batu, excavation has revealed jetty remains, iron smelting sites and a clay brick monument dating back to 110AD (Anno Domini  in Latin – In the year of our Lord) , making it the oldest man-made structure to be recorded in Southeast Asia. Colonization were mainly Hindu-Buddhist. Bujang Valley or Serpent Valley in Sanskrit, sprawled 224km is situated near Merbok, Kedah.

Being a maritime route between China and South India, Bujang Valley got involved in trade. Bujang Valley was administered by different aristocratic powers, by Funan, Srivijaya, Majapahit and Siam.

Some of the artefacts found at Bujang Valley (Pictures from Internet)

Stone inscriptions indicate that Kedah region was already an established trade region by 400 CE (Common Era – The period beginning with the traditional birth of Jesus, designed as year 1). Early Malay texts indicate that Ramaunibha may be the first local ruler recorded in history (Further citation needed).

According to the early Kedah annals, Hikayat Merong Mahawangsa, the first ruler of Kedah was Merong Mahawangsa. The 9^th ruler, Phra Ong Mahawangsa was born a Hindu but later converted to Islam and changed his name to Sultan Mudzafar Shah. He was the first Sultan of Kedah. Reigned from 1136 until 1179.  Part of the kingdom of Langkasuka (Resplendent Land) was later changed to the Kedah Sultanate.

Another account of history found in the Kedah chronicles, Al-Tarikh Salasilah Negeri Kedah listed Maharaja Durbar Raja I as the first ruler and the 9^th ruler, Durbar Raja II converted to Sultan Al-Muzaffar Shah.

The old Kedah political structure was as below:-

Kerajaan (Whole State)

  

Jajahan / Kampung (Territorial Units)

Evidence suggest early trade was Barter and subsequently Cowrie Shells (Cyprea Moneta).

Not much is known about the types of coins used by old Kedah prior to introduction of her own state coinage in the 17 century.

The Malay archipelago (including Malaysia) since early times were under the strong influence if India, which influenced coinage in this region (Tortoise, Elephant, Crocodile, Cockerel, Grasshopper, Fish, Goat and Crab).

During the reign of Sultan Muhammad Jiwa Zainal Azilin Mu’adzam Shah II (1710-1773), 19^th Sultan of Kedah, animal money made of tin was introduced in Kedah. This form of currency was restricted to models of the fighting cock which was perched on a number of rings attached to its base.

The fighting cock was worth 5 cents of the Spanish Dollar. Each ring was worth 1 cent. When a buyer wanted to make a small purchase from a seller, the tin rings were broken off and used as 1 cent pieces. A few pieces of this tin cockerel on rings were still in circulation as late as 1850’s when each ring was worth 10 pieces of the Singapore Merchant 1 Keping tokens.

A better piece of Singapore Merchant Marine Token in my collection (Observe)

Reverse

Cockerels in Malay culture symbolize Strength and Cock-fighting was once a favourite past time among Malays and in the Royal Courts. Perhaps it was introduced to symbolize the Strength of the Kedah people.

A genuine piece in my collection

Cockerel perched on 2 rings
Length : 42mm
Size of the cockerel: 32mmx18mm
Weight : 7.80 grammes
Width 33.5mm
Composition: Tin (contains Stannum)
Rarity : RRR

Unfortunately, there are rampant forgery of primitive tin coinages. I was informed by a few senior numismatics that one way to identify a forged tin coinage is to soak it in olive oil for a week. Then use a brush to clean it. If forgery, the outer layer will be soften and easily peel off. The inner contents would be a shape of a cockerel made from lead (contains Plumbum and is also used in lead acid battery) and the outer layer coated with fine sand.

However, to pass the olive oil test, the forgers have become cleverer and use river mud and super glue to harden the outer layer and to give it a darker surface (replicating the original colouring which is of darker colour). For this type of forgery, you will need to heat up the item. If it creates a staunch smell just like burning glue then it’s a fake. I strongly suggest that you only break up only a small piece of your tin coinage for this test and not heat up the whole tin coinage. The reason being is because if the tin coinage is genuine, you do not want to destroy it by coming into contact with heat.

In fact a similar forgery was suspected in the recent Singapore Collectables Auction Asia Coins & Banknotes 6/2015 whereby, items Lot 142 & 143 were removed.

Happy Numismatics