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Perak Tin Animal Money, The Fish - (1)
The pictures show four tin ingots in the shape of a fish, typical of those from Perak and recognised universally as Perak Animal Money, initially associated with the opening of a new tin mine. Each would have the value of a small fraction of one tin cent based on the amount of tin by weight which could be exchanged for one Spanish Silver dollar. Three of these carry the unmistakable sign/wear of having been buried or laid on the sea bed for very many years. We believe they are all from around the same period, say 1750.
The fish is a favourite food of all races and religions in South East Asia and for the Chinese represents wealth and prosperity because the actual word in Chinese for fish also translates to "abundance". It therefore makes absolute sense that a fish shaped token would be used as part of the opening ceremony for a new mine.
To read about the history of Perak Tin Money, click here.
To see a Swordfish tin money plus two others from the same period, click here.