Malaysia - Traditional Craftwork

 Malaysia - Traditional Craftwork

The 2019 Malaysia Traditional Craftwork RM5 miniature sheet, issued on December 4, 2019, highlights the nation's rich metalworking heritage. The stamp depicts a traditional necklace in the midst of its creation. To accentuate the intricate details of the jewelry, the design incorporates embossing techniques, giving the necklace a lifelike texture. The MS exhibits a greenish-white fluorescent reaction under ultraviolet light. This issue serves as a tribute to Malaysia's skilled metal artisans and their enduring craftsmanship.

Krugerrand - The oldest bullion coin

Krugerrand is the oldest bullion coin. South Africa topped world gold production by the late 1960s. The Krugerrand was first minted by the South African Mint on 3rd July 1967, at a time when the price of the noble metal was very high. It deviates from the contemporary design of bullion coins.  At that time, the concept of minting a coin with the weight of an investment unit (say, “one ounce”) was new and innovative. It provided small investors who could not afford to purchase the standard 12.44-kilogram gold ingots, an opportunity to purchase small units of gold.  

The Krugerrand coin was initially referred to as a “Trojan” in reference to one Troy ounce (oz) of gold content. The public was then invited to suggest a new name for the one-ounce coin, and Mr. Maré came up with the name Krugerrand, combining President Paul Kruger, and the name of the newly introduced currency rand(introduced in 1961).

Since 1967, the Krugerrand has been South Africa’s legal tender and serves mostly as a tax-free investment, its price determined on the global market with the price of gold fixed on a daily basis. No one had anticipated the runaway success of the Krugerrand gold bullion coin. More than 50 million pieces have been sold in just five decades

The Krugerrand was the first investment coin on sale in Germany and worldwide. It was going strong till 1986.  In 1986, due to the lasting apartheid policy in South Africa, the European Community and the USA boycotted South African products and imposed an import ban of the Krugerrand. This led to the complete crash of the Krugerrand market. Slowly other coins like Gold Maple Leafs, Chinese Pandas, American Gold Eagles started to emerge.

From 1986-1999, the Krugerrand became a Collector’s item only and lost its bullion market, hence its mintages were reduced to a minimum. In 1999, the import ban was lifted on the Krugerrand and the Krugerrand slowly started regaining its popularity in 2000, however, it could not regain its sole monopoly.

In 2017, Krugerrand turned 50. Sapo (South African Post) issued a set of 3 stamps to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Krugerrand, the oldest bullion coin to be minted.  The 3 stamps depict the development of the Krugerrand in three stages - 1967 (1st minted), 2000(rise after a fall), and 2017 (50th anniversary). The coin designs are relief embossed onto gold foiling.  The stamp depicted the Springbok antelope, which is the heraldic/national animal of South Africa.

Odd World : Oman

My Oman collection of Odd and Unusual stamps/MSs

Odd shape, embossed and Gold Foil

Russia - Numismatics on Stamps

Recently, I received a beautiful embossed Miniature sheet from Olga in Russia which combines two of my hobbies; Numismatics and Philately ( Odd and Unusual stamps ).

On January 12th 2016, our friendship started with the introduction of our interests.  Nearly a year has gone, we never discussed or negotiated anything. as we know each others interest and tastes very well.  All our correspondence has always been brief - "I got yours, mine is on the way". 

I am very happy with my hobby, otherwise I won't  have met friends like Olga.

Below you can find two FDCs depicting the history of bicycles and a MS showing a few coins.

Issued to commemorate 150th Anniversary of the Bank of Russia, 2010

It is embossed, the scanner couldn't do the justification to show the embossed effect

 History of Bicycles, Issued in 2008

Lunar New Year Souvenir Sheets - Canada

Brenda VR of Canada has sent me a lovely cover with the Year of Dragon Souvenir sheet issued by Canada Post on 2012 and inside she has enclosed the Year of Rabbit Souvenir Sheet.

The dragon Souvenir sheet is embossed and has touches of Gold foil on head and scales. 

The year of Rabbit Souvenir sheet was issued in 2011, January.  The rabbits and the circle around them are embossed and it has a thin gold foil to make it look like a typical Chinese embroidery.

Thanks Brenda for the swap and helping me to enhance my "Unusual and Unique stamps" collection.

India's First Hot foil and Embossed Miniature Sheet.

The 3rd "India Africa Forum summit" was held in New Delhi on 27th, 28th and 29th of October.  On the closing day of the summit, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has released set of 7 stamps, a miniature sheet and India's first Hot foiled  "Innovative Miniature sheet".  All stamps in this Innovative Miniature sheet are embossed. 

The two Rhinos and Black Buck are made of Gun metal foil and the two Lions are Gold foiled and the Thomson Gazelle is a copper foiled one.

Earlier in January 2015, India Post has brought out India's First Miniature sheet with QR code. 

http://philateli.blogspot.in/2015/04/indias-first-miniatue-sheet-with-qr-code.html

Mining and Metallurgical Company Norilsk Nickel - Embossed stamp, Russia

I have received a gorgeous card from Marina, Russia illustrating historical places of St.Petersburg.

The stamp she used is a 2015 issue of Mining and Metallurgical company, Norilsk Nickel.  It was issued in June this year to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of Norilsk Nickel, the largest producer of Nickel and Palladium.

They are supplying their products to more than 40 countries and India is the  one among them.  In the year 2014, Norilsk Nickel company has won a trophy in Mumbai at Indian Surface Finishing Exhition (ISF)

The Metallurgist, helicopter and the plant are embossed.  It will nicely fit into my theme "Unusual Stamps" collection.

Thanks Marina.

The card depicts the following historical places of St. Petersburg.

Franklin Expedition - Canada

In 2014,   Parks Canada and its partners located the wreck of 19th century 

HMS Erebus.  Sir John Franklin used two ships for his Expedition, HMS Erebus and HMS TERROR.  To pay tribute to the discovery  Canada Post issued one Souvenir sheet and two embossed stamps.  One stamp depicts the Erebus where as the other one depicts the location of the Arctic region where the Erebus met with the accident. 

Below is the cover with the two peel and stick embossed stamp sent my Mr. Mark,  Canada.   

Multilevel embossed Dinosaurs - Canada

Dinosaurs are prehistoric animals. Canada, which has rich geography and the fourth largest dry-land mass, issued a set of stamps of Dinosaurs through Canada Post .  The background picture shows the Dinosaur provincial Park.  The multilevel embossing and holographic effects makes these dinosaurs seem like they are coming out of the Park.   

The dinosaurs depicted in "Dinos of Canada" are Tylosaurus Pembinensis, Chasmosaurus Belli, Tyrannosaurus Rex, Ornithomimus edmontonicus and Euoplocephalus Tutus. 

I got this MS from Mr. Mark of Canada in an private exchange. Thanks Mark.

  

Year of Ram Transition sheet

Canada Post issued a transition sheet this year (8th January, 2015) to commemorate the Year of Ram, Lunar year.

In the Lunar cycle, the Horse is the 7th creature and the Ram is the 8th creature.  The year 2015 is Lunar year of Ram.  Canada Post has issued a miniature sheet on 8th January, 2015 showing the transition of Horse year to Ram year.   The transition sheet  has a hot foil stamp of emerald Green Ram with gold embosing on the ram's horns of value 2.50 Canadian dollar and the Golden coloured embossed stamp of galloping Horse of value 1.85 Canadian dollars.  Left of the souvenir sheet has the picture of horse facing backwards looks like it is welcoming the Ram and at the same time it is passing out of the sheet to indicate symbolically that Year of Horse is ending. 

Below is the scan of souvenir sheet of Year of Ram - Transition :

Braille Stamp - Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka Post issued a beautiful elongated Braille stamp on 17th June 2012.

The stamp was issued to commemorate the Centenary of  the Ceylon school of Deaf and Blind-Rathmalana . You can easily feel as well as see the embossed Braille texture.

Given below is the stamp:

And a cover with the Braille stamp on it:

The Braille script on the stamp mean the words "I Love You".