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Perak Tin Ingot Currency, The Tampang - (2)
The pictures show five solid cast tin ingots in the shape of a pyramid on a flat base. The image top left is approximately 86mm square and weighs almost 1Kg (1.5 Kati), with a patina typical of old tin. Around the base of this is Jawi script and on top of the pyramid is the part outline of a decorative flower. These are variously known as a Tampang, Tin Hat (usually hollow), or Pyramid money, an early form of currency with a value that was calculated against the amount of tin by weight which could be exchanged for one Spanish Silver dollar.
The others vary in size but all follow the distinctive pattern with a flower on the top which is said to be one of the marks of Perak.
One example is on show in Han Chin Pet Soo Museum.
These were interchangeable across all the Malay states and Sumatra (for tin always had a defined value by weight). As an example we date 20080615-011a as around 1800 from Perak and which we believe had a value by weight of 15 Tin Cents at the time.
There are more examples of Perak tin money / currency in this archive.
To see an earlier Perak Tampang and their history, click here.
To read about the history of Perak Tin Animal Money, click here.
To read about the history of Perak Tin Ingot Money, click here.
To read about the book "Tin Hat and Animal Money", click here.