THE Chinese New Year is just around the corner and various rat-themed merchandise are sold everywhere.
In view of the 2020 Penang Chinese New Year celebration this year, the organising committee of the event is collaborating with the Malayan Banknote Fair (MBF) to release limited edition test notes bearing a cute image of a rat in Chinese New Year costume.
The grand celebration (popularly known as Miao Hui in Chinese) is organised by the Penang Chinese Clan Council and supported by the state government.
The rat is the first of 12 Chinese zodiac animals.
Komtar assemblyman Teh Lai Heng said the test notes also bear the logo of the Miao Hui.
“Each note also comes with an exquisite cover. The test note serves as a way to further promote the celebration.
“It is a unique souvenir and is highly collectable,” Teh told a press conference at his service centre in Jalan Talipon on Jan 23.
He explained that there were different classification of notes with regard to bank notes.
“First, there are the commercial notes, which are the standard currency used in any form of sales and purchases.
“Then, there are the commemorative notes which are used to commemorate a particular day or event.
“Next, there are the test notes which are made for collection purposes. These notes cannot be used and have no monetary value printed on the notes.
“Nowadays, test notes have become popular among collectors. We can see people printing their own test notes to mark a certain event or exhibition,” Teh said.
The limited edition ‘rat’ test notes can be pre-ordered from the official MBF website at https://mbf.my/shop/cny-2020/
The standard price for the ‘rat’ test note is RM28; while it is RM25 for pre-order purchase.
Those who have pre-ordered can collect the notes from the counter at the King Street-Bishop Street junction from 4pm to 11pm on Feb 2. Collectors are also welcomed to buy on the spot.
For more details, call Richard Lim at 018-2525339.
Story and pix by Wo Yee Qi