Coins Museum

Where These Money Came From?
Country of Origin - Malacca
Animal Money

Why in the early 15th. century, during Parameswara period, currency were traded in animal shapes?
Chicken, fish, buffalo, tortoise, crocodile, etc. were used as symbols of primitive agriculture society?
These coins were minted before Islamic influences were introduced during Parameswara rule of Malacca kingdom in 1409.
These animals are the common symbol of both China and Malacca agricultural societies, hence were commonly used in trading and barter trade, including commodities and currencies.
This is one of the very unique mixture and combination of Chinese Confucianism and Malacca Islamic values, which reflected in their trade exchange instrument: Tin Animal Coins.