We've tried to ensure the information displayed here is as accurate as possible. Should there be any inaccuracies, we would be grateful if you could let us know at info@ipohworld.org . All images and content are copyright.
(Please click on the thumbnail for a bigger image.)
Perak Tin Animal Money, The Goat
Pictures 20080615-004a and 20080615-004b show tin ingots believed to represent stylized goats. These are typical of those from Perak and recognised universally as Perak Animal Money. Picture b is very similar to that on the cover of the book "Tin 'Hat' and Animal Money" published by Muzium Negara in 1970 where they describe it as a model cock. We prefer both to be thought of as decorative goats. With a typical patinas common on old tin objects, the value of these would have been a fraction of one tin cent as all values were based on the amount of tin by weight which could be exchanged for one Spanish Silver dollar.
Referring to the above picture, the goat is a common creature kept by Malays and sacrificing a goat for celebrations remains a Muslim tradition until today.
To read about the history of Perak Tin Animal Money, click here.
To read about the book "Tin Hat and Animal Money", click here.