A Story of British Colonial Banknotes & Coins During World War Two

Many years ago, one of my elderly work colleagues had told me that his elder brother was a successful businessman before World War Two. 

His brother had hoarded many stacks of those British colonial banknotes used in Malaya, Borneo, and Singapore. 

When the Japanese soldiers invaded the region and fearing persecution, his brother burned all those stacks of colonial banknotes instead of burying or hiding them.

After the war was over and when the British returned to the colonies, all those colonial banknotes (and coins too) were recognized as legal tender for circulation, and their purchasing power had remained the same if not more. 

Just half cent or one cent could buy a cup of hot coffee!

1967 Currency Devaluation

In 1967 there was a currency change and a 15 percent currency devaluation at the same time.

When you handed in 100 cents of those colonial coins, you received 85 cents of Singapore coins.

However today, your collectible colonial coins, especially those uncirculated ones, could be sold for many times their face value.

2012 Silver Bullion Coins

American Eagle and Maple Leaf silver bullion coins.

Canada Maple Leaf

Canada 2012, Maple Leaf, One Troy Ounce 9999 Silver, BU.

American Silver Eagle

USA 2012, American Eagle Silver Dollar, One Troy Ounce 999 Silver, BU.

1988 Olympic Coins

USA 1988 Proof and Uncirculated Olympic Silver Dollars.

1983 & 1984 Olympic Coins

‎USA 1983-PDS and 1984-PDS Uncirculated Olympic Silver Dollars.

Chinese Cash Coins

Some coins from my collection of Northern and Southern Sung Chinese cash coins.

These coins are the larger and less plentiful Value 2 coins (each large coin was equivalent to two normal cash coins), and the Southern Sung coins are much scarcer than the Northern Sung coins.

Annam Cash Coins

Some coins from my collection of Annam cash coins.

Most of these Annam cash coins are smaller and thinner as compared to those cash coins of China and Japan.

Japanese Cash Coins

Most of the Japanese ancient cash coins have these four characters, Kuan-yung Tung-bao.

Many of them have plain reverse, while some have single character or symbol on their reverse.

Metallic Tokens

Collecting metallic tokens is a fun hobby just like collecting coins.

But unlike coins, tokens are not legal tender.

Red Plastic Pouches

These red plastic pouches (priced at 50 cents each) were issued by Singapore Mint from 1972 to 1983 to hold almost all those years (except 1975 and 1977 ASEAN) of $10 silver and nickel crown-size UNC coins.

If you don't keep these pouches well and clean them regularly, they become moldy and oily, covered with fungal growth.

Many coin collectors and dealers had thrown their pouches away.

Aluminum Containers

Don't keep any foodstuff inside any aluminum container.

Plastic Capsules

If you'd saved these plastic capsules once used to pack those rolls of film negatives, you can now use them to pack stuff like collectible coins and tiny rocks, among others.

The capsule in front contains pulverized gold ores from a mine somewhere in The Philippines, given to me by someone in 1988.

Money Bag

An early 1980's money bag from New Zealand.

A String of Cash Coins

Nothing quite like the reliable grandfather's way of collecting and keeping common cash coins.

18 Coins in An Old Plastic Box

An old Kodak plastic box once used to pack photographic slides may now be used to pack your coins.

It holds 18 pieces of coins neatly.

Old Plastic Box

An old Kodak plastic box once used to pack photographic slides may now be used to pack your coins.

Handy Coin Albums

Oddball coins of various sizes are easily packed into handy coin albums like these for easy access when you want to show them to your customers.

Coin Tray Box

Oddball coins of various sizes are best displayed in a tray box like this for easy access when you want to show them to your customers.