Money means many things to collectors

Katalog Uang Kertas Nusantara 1995 (Catalog of the Banknotes of the Indonesian Archipelago 1995) Compiled by Lo Khing Kiong, et al Published by Astra Mitreka, Surabaya 265 pages

JAKARTA (JP): The launching of the new Rp 50,000 and Rp 20,000 banknotes on Aug. 28, 1995, may just be a normal event for laymen. But these banknotes, signed by Bank Indonesia Governor Soedradjat Djiwandono, are a welcome addition for collectors.

The new Rp 20,000 and Rp 50,000 bills are the 103rd and 104th paper notes respectively. If we include the Oeang Repoeblik Indonesia (normally referred to as ORI), the Republik Indonesia Serikat (RIS, United Republic of Indonesia) series and the banknotes of West Irian and Riau, the two new banknotes are ranked 147 and 148.

For most of us money is only a means of exchange. We seldom pay much attention to the money we hold in our hands or keep in our wallet. What matters is its nominal value. We do not concern ourselves with the pictures, the figures, the animals or the traditional houses printed on both sides of the paper money. If we have to change old money for new notes, we rush to change all the money in our possession at the bank. It is therefore not surprising that we don't have any old banknotes left.

For Lo Khing Kiong, Kusman Wongsodihardjo, Markus Sajogo, and Ibu Djatilaksono, money, especially paper money, is more than just a legal tender, it is a hobby. Their collections, which trace the development of Indonesian paper money, formed the basis of Katalog Uang Kertas Nusantara 1995 (Catalog of Banknotes in the Indonesian Archipelago 1995).

Since the VOC

The catalog contains photographs of banknotes -- reduced to 50 percent from their original in size -- from before and since Indonesia's independence in 1945. Banknotes from the VOC (Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie) era since 1782 (pp. 1-3), banknotes from the Dutch East-Indies era (pp. 4-80), and banknotes from the Japanese occupation period (pp. 81-96) are all cataloged.

The notes from after independence are divided into a number of series: the Oeang Repoeblik Indonesia (RI Money, 32 banknotes; pp. 97-128), the Republik Indonesia Serikat (United Republic of Indonesia series, two banknotes; pp. 129-130), the Irian Barat (West Irian) series (5 banknotes; pp. 181-185), the Riau series (5 banknotes; pp. 186-190), and the Republic of Indonesia series (102 banknotes; pp. 131-180 and 191-242).

The photos give a good idea of how the banknotes looked because the photographs and pictures show the original colors and both sides of the money. The notes issued after Indonesia's independence also list the signatories of the money, usually the governor of Bank Indonesia.

At present there are only seven notes in circulation: Rp 100, Rp 500, Rp 1,000, Rp 5,000, Rp 10,000, Rp 20,000 and Rp 50,000. This catalog illustrates paper money denominations which seem odd to us now, including one cent (1964; p.196), 5 cents (1964; p.197), 10 cents (1964; p.198), 25 cents (1964; p.199), 50 cents (1964; p.200), Rp 2.50 (1951; p.132), Rp 25 (1959; p.167) and Rp 75 (1948; p.117). The oddest among the denominations were perhaps Rp 400 (Aug. 23, 1948; p.119) and Rp 600 (Aug. 23, 1948; p.120).

The catalog transports you past Indonesia's first official currency to look at the VOC era in 1782. It outlines so many kinds of paper money that you may regret not having saved some old banknotes. However, you can buy old money at numismatic shops. They are expensive, of course, far above their nominal value at the time of their circulation.

Currently, four denominations of Indonesian paper money are valued at more than Rp 1 million. Indonesian paper money of Rp 10 and Rp 25 circulating in 1957 and signed by Sjafruddin Prawiranegara and Sabarudin, governor and director of Bank Indonesia respectively (pp.147-148) now sell for Rp 3 million a piece. There are other denominations of old money which fetch higher prices.

ORI series

The ORI series with a nominal value of Rp 600, issued on Aug. 23, 1948, and signed by Vice President Mohammad Hatta, goes for Rp 4 million. The highest price is obtained by the uncirculated Rp 5,000 note issued in 1957, and signed by Sjafruddin Prawiranegara and Sabarudin. It is now estimated to be worth Rp 10 million.

"Although rare money is old money, it is not certain that old money is rare. However, old money tends to increase in price, because it is not produced any more," states Markus Sajogo in the introduction (p.V).

The book also informs us that although President Soeharto has held the post since March 27, 1968, it was only in 1993 that his portrait appeared on the Rp 50,000 denomination (signed by Adrianus Mooy and Hasudungan Tampubolon, governor and director of Bank Indonesia). It was used again on the new paper money issued on Aug. 28, 1995.

The book also states that the Indonesian government doesn't issue new notes each year. Between 1974 and 1995 it did not issue any new paper money. In 1960, the government issued 15 notes and in 1964 it issued 14 notes.

Index

Regrettably the book has no index and that not all the figures, pictures and illustrations are explained. Moreover, the format of Indonesian money is not mentioned at all.

Having the notes printed in their original size and additional information explaining why the RIS series (1950; 2 denominations), the Irian Barat series (1960-1961; 5 denominations), and the Riau series (1960-1961; 5 denominations) were issued would also have been beneficial.

-- Pamusuk Eneste