Summary

1 Keping, Issued by C. R. Read, Malaysia, Malacca, Singapore, 1250 AH

Singapore Merchants' token probably struck in England and used widely throughout the Malay peninsular. Normally attributed to Malacca or Sultana Island.

Obverse Description

Rooster standing facing left on box with incuse legend, C R READ

Reverse Description

Sunflower above date, 1250

Edge Description

Plain

Significance

'Singapore Merchants' Tokens: There was no dominant native currency in Singapore until the formation Straits Settlements in 1826. The Spanish Dollars was unit of account although a variety of other coins circulated. The East India Company's official Keping coins of 1804 for Sumatera was widely used in Singapore and then neighbouring areas. In order to provide an acceptable coinage, Singapore merchants began to issue their own tokens closely copying the East India Company's official Keping in 1828. The Singapore merchants changed the name of their tokens intended for Sumatera trade from "Island of Sumatera" to " Island of Sultana".'

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