Lot 5736

Description

Malaysia, Perak or Selangor and maybe Pahang, tin hat money or pyramid or pagoda type, tampang rated at one katis, c.16th - early 17th century, obv. shorten pyramid shape, with flower petal cross shape design raised in field around circle in centre, height 37mm., top width 37mm., base width 54 mm., (585 g), (SS.25-26, [p.185]); others as crude shorten pyramid shapes a) 50mm, 44mm and 65mm, (705 g); b) 34mm, 36mm, 50mm with base flat overlap 85mm, (390 g). Last two varieties unlisted in references, fine - very fine and very rare. (3)

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 these examples.