What is the difference between a “bimetallic” coin and a colorized or plated coin?

Posted by slang on April 12, 2010

Earlier article on bimetallic coin with photos refers. 

The simple answer is that a bimetallic coin is NOT the same as a colorized or plated coin.

A bimetallic coin is manufactured using two separate components of different metals.  In modern bimetallic coins, the center component is usually made from one metal, while the outer component consists of a totally different metal. 

Interestingly, append below is a bimetallic coin—the 2000 Library of Congress Commemorative Bimetallic Ten Dollar Coin produced by the United States Mint. Note that this commemorative coin was manufactured using both .9995 platinum and .9167 gold. Are we wagering with future prices of two expensive commodities price re: gold and platinum?

2000 Library of Congress Commemorative Bimetallic Ten Dollar Coin MADE UP OF PLATINUM AND GOLD

Are colorized coins or plated coins considered to be a good numismatic investment?

Posted by slang on

2006 COLORIZED 2-SIDED U.S. MINT 1oz SILVER EAGLE with BOX selling at USD28.85

Above coin photo shows a  1 oz silver COLORIZED coin for sale. Don’t you think it is beautiful like a painted coin?

Whether like the TELEPHONE CARD , the colorized or plated coin is a fad or not will depend on how each coin collector will look at them.Those who prefer the beautiful color painted on these coins and the cheap price being offered and ability to be restrikes with earlier dates might draw some crowds to colorized coin collecting.

I believe coin collecting besides pleasure is also investment. Below extracted from the US Government Mint pertaining to some FAQ questions for readers to appreciate:-

Extracted from FAQ from US MINT 

Does the United States Mint produce or sell colorized coins?

No.  The United States Mint has never produced or sold colorized coins or coins that feature a holographic or superimposed image.

Does the United States Mint produce or sell gold- or silver-plated coins?

No.  The United States Mint has never produced or sold gold- or silver-plated coins.

Does a business need permission from the U.S. Government to colorize U.S. coins?

Businesses do not need the U.S. Government’s permission to colorize genuine United States coins unless the U.S. Government owns a copyright in the coin design in question.

Does a business need permission from the U.S. Government to plate U.S. coins in gold, silver or other precious metals?

Businesses do not need the U.S. Government’s permission to plate (layer) genuine United States coins in gold, silver or other precious metals.

Are colorized coins or plated coins considered to be a good numismatic investment

The United States Mint does not comment on coin-grading issues or on a colorized coin’s or plated coin’s current or future value as a collectible item.  If you like a colorized coin or plated coin because of the way it looks,then you may want to add it to your collection.  However, if you are primarily concerned about the long-term investment value of a colorized coin or plated coin, then you should contact a reputable coin dealer or coin grading service before you purchase the coin.

 What is the United States Mint’s position on the practice of colorizing or plating U.S. coins?

The United States Mint does not encourage or support products that alter the fundamental images on its coins.  A superimposed design is entirely different than the coin’s original image and almost obliterates the coin’s intrinsic design.  Congress itself mandates by statute the themes, images, and inscriptions that appear on a particular coin.  However, businesses that choose to sell colorized or plated coins are expected to ensure that they do not violate U.S. trademark laws or false and deceptive advertising laws.

Well, my two cent’s  worth:

• I am one who wish to feel and look at NON-colorized original coin where I can gain pleasure from a GENUINE HISTORICAL COIN especially it is well preserved and with natural lustre.
• If I do need a colorized coin, I would only consider it as a painted doll re: ” ladies putting up their cosmetic” where the natural beauty is hidden.
• Honestly, I feel that a colorized coin is some what out of place for me, maybe the keyword is ‘ARTIFICIAL”- well I have to confess that I  am an old traditional coin collector!

Maybank Numismatic Museum

Posted by slang on

For Malaysian students or foreigners  who are visiting Kuala Lumpur and wish to understand the history of Malaysia numismatic , we have two interesting places that they should visit:-

1.    Maybank Numismatic Museum

2.    Bank Negara Numismatic Centre

About Maybank Numismatic Museum:

1. Incidentally, Maybank is one of the leading Malaysian bank which has many bank outlets throughout Malaysia. Its head quarter is in Maybank Tower, Jalan Tun Perak.
2. On the first floor of the Maybank Tower, is house the Maybank Numismatic Museum.
3. This museum was officially opened by the then Bank Negara Governor, Tan Sri Dato Jaafar Hussein on 9 January 1988. 

Type of numismatic collection that you can enjoy over there: 

• Miniature Cannons were used in Borneo as currency by the natives. They were used for bartering, wedding gifts and for barter trading. A real cannon is usually fired during weddings, births and visits by the VIPs.
• Malacca Sultanate 1400-1511 merchants used gold dust, silver bars and blocks of tin instead of coins. As more traders come in from the Middle East, Pasai coins were introduced during the reign of Sultan Muzaffar Shah.

• Portuguese Occupation 1511-1641 saw the introduction of the currency in the form of gold catholico, the silver malaquese, bastardos, soldos and dinheiros in an alloy of tin and lead.
• Malay States Currency in the form gold coin called “mas kupang” was used during the reign of Sultan Abdul Jalil Shah III from 1623-1677. In Kedah, the animal currency in the form of fighting cock was used in the 16th century. Tin ingots currency in the shape of an elephant and crocodile were used in Selangor and Perak.
• Straits Settlements 1826-1939 which were formed by three settlements of Penang, Singapore and Melaka began to use coins that were issued from the year 1826-1939. Many of the coins were issued during the reign of three English monarchs. They were Queen Victoria, King Edward VII and King George V.
• Foreign Currencies issued by Brunei, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand and the Phillipines are also on display here.
• Private Bank Notes used in Melaka and Penang are also shown here. The special currency notes used at Sungai Buloh Leprosarium was introduced in 1935 and was used only within the Sungai Buloh Leprosy Settlement. It was believed that the used of normal currency can lead to the spread of the disease.
• Bank Negara Malaysia first issued currency notes in June 1967 with denominations of $1, $5, $10, $50 and $100. A $1,000 denomination was issued on 2 September 1968. In the year 1982-1984, new design of currency notes of $1, $5, $20, $500, $10, $50, $100 and $1,000 with emphasis on Malaysian characteristics and security were introduced.  

How to locate Maybank Numismatic Museum:

Map to local Maybank Numismatic Museum

• Take the PUTRA LRT and stop at Masjid Jamek station. The museum is located in Maybank Tower and is about 10 minutes walk away.
• Alternatively, take the STAR LRT and stop at Plaza Rakyat Station. You will reach the building in approximately 10 minutes walk. 
• You can also take a taxi to PuduRaya Bus Station at the centre of Kuala Lumpur.You can then see Maybank Tower/Maybank Numismatic Museum from there. You need to walk across to the opposite of the road. Its only take about 5 minutes walk from PuduRaya Bus Station to there.(Also see the map.) 

Opening hours

• 10:00am – 6:00pm (Mondays to Fridays)
• The museum is closed on Saturdays and Sundays.

Admission Fee

• Admisson to the museum is FREE.
• Further information can be obtained by calling Tel: +6 03 2074 7418.