Lot 2696

Description

Malaysia, Perak or Selangor and maybe Pahang, tin hat money or tampang rated at one katis, c.16th - early 17th century, obv. shorten pyramid shape, with Maltese cross shape raised in field around circle in centre, height 35mm., top width 48mm., base width 64 mm., (600 g), (SS.23-35 [p.184-187]). Variety unlisted in references, very fine and very rare.

In Saran Singh book he states (p.125) that the development of the "tampang tin hat money" of the mid 19th century was based on the earlier pyramid or pagoda shaped tin ingots currency which was cast in the neighbouring State of Perak and Selangor. These early tampangs were shaped into a four-sided pyramid with a flat top and a broad foot or plinth. They were cast in hardened sand moulds and are rather rough in manufacture. The intrinsic value of the early tin tampangs determined their face value. Unfortunately these early tampangs were rather bulky and inconvenient as apparent in this example.