1 Keping (Deli) 1251 (1836) front 1 Keping (Deli) 1251 (1836) back
1 Keping (Deli) 1251 (1836) photo
© Heritage Auctions

1 Keping Deli

1251 (1836) year
Copper - -
Description
Issuer
Deli (British East Indies)
Type
Token
Year
1251 (1836)
Calendar
Islamic (Hijri)
Value
1 Keping (1⁄400)
Currency
Keping
Composition
Copper
Shape
Round
Technique
Milled
Demonetized
Yes
Updated
2024-10-04
References
Numista
N#24412
Rarity index
87%

Reverse

Arabic inscription with denomination at top and date at bottom using eastern Arabic numeral. Beads around border

Lettering:
١
سات كڤڠ
١٢٥١

Unabridged legend:
1
Satu keping
1251

Translation:
One keping
AH 1251

Comment

These coins were not official currency of any state. They were first issued in the early 1800s by British merchants at Singapore, to alleviate base coin shortage, before spreading to various parts of the Malay Archipelago. To circumvent confiscation attempts by colonial authorities (particularly the Dutch), British merchants use inscriptions that refer to locations that are vague, fictitious, or unaffiliated to Europeans. In this manner, legally it could not be argued that the tokens were intended for circulation in colonial territories.

See Singh (1986:445-449) for details.

Interesting fact

The A Token 1 Keping (Deli) 1251 (1836) from Deli (British East Indies) made of Copper is a rare and valuable coin that was used as a medium of exchange in the British East Indies during the 19th century. It is interesting to note that the coin was made of copper, which was a common material used for coinage during that time period. Additionally, the coin's design features a unique blend of Islamic and European influences, reflecting the cultural diversity of the region.