Malaysia, Sultanate of Perak, Fish Money

This fish money from the Sultanate of Perak in modern Malaysia is not a real coin, but rather a little ingot. It is made of tin, which is to no surprise, since Perak is renowned for its rich tin deposits. Tin money was in circulation in Perak since the 15th century, and was often cast in form of animals. The beasts are always molded in great detail; besides fishes there are crocodiles, elephants, turtles and crabs, goats, grasshoppers and roosters – animals thus that were popular trading goods in Perak.