BNM 125 Anniversary of JUPEM's coin

Bank Negara Malaysia is issuing three types of commemorative coins to commemorate the 125th Anniversary of Jabatan Ukur dan Pemetaan Malaysia (JUPEM). The commemorative coins were launched by YAB Tan Sri Dato' Haji Muhyiddin bin Mohd. Yassin, Deputy Prime Minister, at Dewan Perdana FELDA, Jalan Maktab, Kuala Lumpur. The coins are available in three versions of gold, silver and Nordic-Gold.

The Obverse Side of the Coin, the centre of the coin illustrates a surveyor of JUPEM carrying out measuring works with the theodolite, a device used to measure angular values in a traverse or network between survey marks. It is also used for defining the direction of lines of sight. The name "Jabatan Ukur dan Pemetaan Malaysia" appears on the lower circumference of the coin, whilst "125 Tahun" appears at the top of the coin.

The Reverse Side of the Coin, the centre of the coin features the official logo of JUPEM. At the upper circumference, the words "Bank Negara Malaysia" appear as the issuing authority of the commemorative coins. The years "1885-2010" appear below the logo and the denomination is at the lower circumference of the coin.

Technical Specifications:

Type: Gold Proof.

Alloy: Gold (Au999.9)

Face Value (RM): 100

Selling Price(RM): 1,200

Mintage Quantity (piece/set): 150

Diameter (mm): 22.00

Weight (gram): 7.96

Shape: Round with milled edge


Technical Specifications:
Type: Silver Proof

Alloy: Silver(Ag92.5)

Face Value (RM): 10

Selling Price(RM): 150

Mintage Quantity (piece/set): 300

Diameter (mm): 35.70

Weight (gram): 21.00

Shape: Round with milled edge


Technical Specifications:
Type: Nordic Gold (B.U.)

Alloy: Cu89 Zn5 Al5 Sn1

Face Value (RM): 1

Selling Price(RM): 10

Mintage Quantity (piece/set): 10,000

Diameter (mm): 30.00

Weight (gram): 8.80

Shape: Round with milled edge

These commemorative coins are also available in a set of 3 and a set of 2. The Set of 3 consists of the gold, silver and Nordic gold proof coins. It will be sold at RM1,450 per set with only 250 sets available. The Set of 2 consists of the silver and Nordic gold proof coins. This set will be sold at RM200 per set with only 200 sets available.

These commemorative coins are minted and distributed by Bank Negara Malaysia and will be available for sale from 15 October 2010 at Bank Negara Malaysia's headquarters and its branches located in Pulau Pinang, Johor Bahru, Kuala Terengganu, Kota Kinabalu and Kuching.

Cheng Ho the first explored Africa

A finds by Professor Qin Dashu maybe can be an evidence that Cheng Ho is the first explored Africa. Professor Qin Dashu from Peking University and a joint team of Kenyan and Chinese archaeologists found the 15th Century Chinese coin in Mambrui; a tiny, nondescript village just north of Malindi on Kenya's north coast. In barely distinguishable relief, the team leader Professor Qin Dashu from Peking University's archaeology department, read out the inscription: "Yongle Tongbao"; the name of the reign that minted the coin some time between 1403 and 1424.

"These coins were carried only by envoys of the emperor, Chengzu," Prof Qin said.

"We know that smugglers would often take them and melt them down to make other brass implements, but it is more likely that this came here with someone who gave it as a gift from the emperor."

How did a coin from the early 1400s get to East Africa, almost 100 years before the first Europeans reached the region? The answer seems to be with Zheng He, also known as Cheng Ho; a legendary Chinese admiral who, the stories say, led a vast fleet of between 200 and 300 ships across the Indian Ocean in 1418. It is now believed that China's Zheng He reached East Africa long before any European explorer.


A few years ago, fishermen off the northern Kenyan port town of Lamu hauled up 15th Century Chinese vases in their nets, and the Chinese authorities ran DNA tests on a number of villagers who claimed Chinese ancestry. The tests seemed to confirm what the villagers have always believed that a ship from Zheng He's fleet sank in a storm and the surviving crew married locals, meaning some people in the area still have subtly Chinese features. It was then that Peking University organized its expedition to try to find conclusive evidence. The university is spending $3 million (£2 million) on the three-year project.

Ancient texts told of Zheng He's visit to the Sultan of Malindi; the most powerful coastal ruler of the time. But they also mentioned that Malindi was by a river mouth; something that the present town of Malindi doesn't have, but that Mambrui does. The old cemetery in Mambrui also has a famous circular tomb-stone embedded with 400 year old Chinese porcelain bowls hinting at the region's long-standing relationship with the East. In the broad L-shaped trench that the team dug on the edge of the cemetery, they began finding what they were looking for.

Mohamed Mchuria, a coastal archaeologist from the National Museums of Kenya, unearthed a stunning fragment of porcelain that Prof Qin believes came from a famous kiln called Long Quan that made porcelain exclusively for the royal family in the early Ming Dynasty. The jade green shard appears to be from the base of a much larger bowl, with two small fish in relief, swimming just below the surface of the glaze.

Iraq Dinar Scam is back

Iraq Dinar scam is back following a rumour that Central Bank of Iraq has announced their plans to redenominate the Iraqi Dinar. This is in order to increase the strength level of the Iraqi currency, which will allow people to carry less paper money. By the end of 2010, they intend to drop three zeros from the nominal value of bank notes. That means that 1,000 IQD (pre-redenomination) and 1 dinar (post-redenomination) will both be worth the same amount in US Dollars.

Iraq Dinar speculation has been around since a new Dinar has been introduced in 2003. Speculator will sell their item in bulk with a statement from Iraq news that Iraq Dinar value will be going up one day. One of the reason most of this speculator will be saying is that Iraq is the second largest oil reserve holder in the world. 95% of Iraq revenue come from oil export. They were saying that Iraq will gain its independence one day and Iraq economy will be bounce back. At that time, all Iraq Dinar holder will gain profits by trading their Iraq Dinar. The news that the speculator reported as a good news for Iraq Dinar, they're no single source or link that come from Iraq government or any news agency (some quote a news by reuters in Wikipedia, but the link is from a website: radio free Iraq?).

Where do you sell your Iraq Dinar? The truth is, there is no legitimate market that will buy any of your dinar outside Iraq. Some people suggest that we can trade Iraq Dinar via online banking? Do you know that you cannot trade it via banks or money changers outside Iraq? Buying Iraq Dinar will be easy but selling them will be a big problem. Most of the Iraq Dinar trader in US registered with the U.S. Treasury as a Money Service Business.

Some speculator even show the historical value of the Dinar. They were speculating that Independence might help Iraq to gain its value near its historical value before gulf war. Is that for real? I think to anyone who want to believe anything about that should read this statement by CNN money expert in 2004, Walter Updegrave:

"The economic prospects for a country that determine the future value of its currency, not the price it trades at now or the price it traded at in the past. And no matter how low a value a currency reaches, it can always go lower." Source: CNN

The only people who really gaining profit from this speculation is the first person who started this Iraq Dinar trading. Before you invest on anything, make sure that you can sell them. Unless there is a legal way to sell your Dinar, this speculation will always be one of the biggest Internet scam.

The Bank of Sugar £55 notes

Thousands of fake bank notes bearing the face of Lord Alan Sugar have been handed out along with £500 in real cash. The "Bank of Sugar" £55 notes were stuck on a hoarding, as well as 10 actual £50 bills, to promote the launch of The Apprentice star's autobiography. Passers-by were encouraged to pluck the money off the "cash point", which was put up in Golden Square near Regent Street, central London. Scattered among the fake cash were 25 special notes entitling the winner to prizes based on Lord Sugar's favourite pastimes.

The former Amstrad boss is a keen cyclist and offered a Pinarello FP1 British Cycling Replica 499 as one of the top rewards. Others included a flying lesson and an oyster dinner for two. Lord Sugar will be signing copies of What You See Is What You Get: My Autobiography at Waterstone's Piccadilly Tuesday. The book charts his rise from growing up on a Clapton council estate to becoming a multi-millionaire businessman. Lord Sugar was made a peer by the last government and appointed Gordon Brown's enterprise tsar.

Its an offence to print fake banknotes under section 12 of the 1928 currency and bank note act: "If any person prints or stamps, or by any means impresses, on any bank note any words, letters or figures, he shall, in respect of each offence, be liable on summary conviction to a penalty not exceeding a level 1 fine [£200 in today's money]."

John Lennon £5 coin

A commemorative £5 John Lennon coin had been released by Royal Mint. The limited edition coin shows Lennon with long hair and sideburns and his trademark round glasses. It will have a face value of £5 and the coin is priced at £44.99. Only 5,000 will be offered for sale. Struck in sterling silver to Proof quality, the coin comes in a splendid display case complete with a Certificate of Authenticity guaranteeing the specifications of the coin and paying tribute to the genius of John Lennon.


Lennon won the Royal Mint's public vote for the next "Great Briton" to be immortalised on a limited edition coin. Other names on the shortlist were Jane Austen and John Logie Baird. The Beatles singer, assassinated in 1980, now joins William Shakespeare, Sir Winston Churchill, Charles Darwin and Florence Nightingale in the series.

Dave Knight, director of commemorative coin at the Royal Mint, said: "It's entirely fitting that John Lennon has been chosen by the public in what would have been his 70th year.

"The massive proportion of the vote he received shows clearly just how much his untimely death still resonates with the nation.

"He ranks alongside, and even ahead of, some of the greatest names in history and the Royal Mint is proud to commemorate a genuine British legend."

Lennon fans launched Facebook and Twitter campaigns to ensure the Liverpudlian legend came out on top. A total of 27,874 people, 92% of those who voted, nominated Lennon for the £5 coin. Only 5,000 of the coins, issued as Alderney tender, have been minted. A one off 24carat gold version of the coin will be given to the John Lennon Estate.

Specification:
Denomination: £5
Alloy: .925 sterling silver
Weight: 28.28g
Diameter: 38.61mm
Designer (Reverse): Danuta Solowiej-Wedderburn
Designer (Obverse): Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS