From a previous release schedule of around 3 coins per year, it looks like the Central Bank of Malaysia is ramping up the numbers, having already launched four coins so far this year, three of them in the last two months. We’ve only covered one Malaysian commemorative coin to date, a nice silver coin featuring the tropical rainforest of the countries most important national park, Taman Negara. That release was what had been a CBM standard until 2016, a 1 oz silver, a ¼ oz gold, and a ‘Nordic Gold’. Nordic gold contains no actual gold, but is a mix of base metals.

For 2016 it seems that gold is no longer on the menu. It also seems that mintages are taking a tumble, down from 2,000 silver and 25,000 Nordics, to just 500 and 10,000 respectively, although the number of sets is up. So, Malaysian commemorative coins will have a greater choice this year, but each design will be rarer.

The four designs to be released in the first half of the year are an unusual mix. First out of the gate was a pretty nice coin released to mark Malaysia’s hosting of the 2016 World Team Table Tennis Championships. It’s a simple and effective piece of artwork and there’s no confusing what it represents, hallmarks of good coin design. The second coin celebrates a half century since The Sabah Foundation was founded. A worthwhile organisation, but a pedestrian corporate design in our view.

The third coin marks 70 years since the Malaysian broadcaster RTM put out its first radio transmission. Again, a very corporate design no doubt aimed at an exact niche of buyers, made all the more possible by the smaller mintages being struck now. The fourth, and latest design marks a century of the Girl Guides Association of Malaysia. Certainly a more appealing design to the general collector than the previous two coins, the 500 coins will likely sell out pretty quickly with an organisation this popular in a country this big.

All four coins are available individually, or as a two-coin set. Five hundred silver coins are individually packaged, and a further 2,000 are paired with the Nordic gold version. All should be available now, with Ebay seemingly the easiest place to pick them up.

Bank Negara Malaysia is issuing commemorative coins in conjunction with the 100th Anniversary of Persatuan Pandu Puteri Malaysia (PPPM). PPPM is committed to producing women of calibre, through the application of knowledge, skills and values of the Girl Guides in line with its vision of “taking the lead in developing the potential of girls and women for change.”

REVERSE: The words “BANK NEGARA MALAYSIA” as the issuing authority of the commemorative coin is featured on the upper circumference of the coin, while the face value of the coin is inscribed on the lower circumference. In between, the official logo of PPPM is featured on the coin.

OBVERSE: The image of a reef knot, known as ‘simpul buku sila’ represents the long lasting friendship among the Girl Guides locally and internationally, and the event logo of 100th Anniversary of PPPM are depicted in the centre of the coin. The rope that surrounds the centre of the coin symbolises strength and bonding of the organisation. The words “PERSATUAN PANDU PUTERI MALAYSIA” appear on the upper circumference of the coin while the years ‘1916-2016’ are inscribed on the lower circumference.

Bank Negara Malaysia is issuing commemorative coins today in conjunction with the 70th Anniversary of Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM). RTM is the first broadcaster in Malaysia that launched radio broadcast on 1 April 1946 and television broadcast on 28 December 1963.

REVERSE: The words BANK NEGARA MALAYSIA as the issuing authority of the commemorative coin is featured on the upper circumference of the coin, while the face value of the coin is inscribed on the lower circumference. The event logo for the 70th Anniversary of Radio Televisyen Malaysia is featured on centre of the coin.

OBVERSE: The centre of the coin shows the iconic image of RTM’s headquarters, Angkasapuri. The building features a unique facade decorated with a motif based on the shape of the tongue. The words RADIO TELEVISYEN MALAYSIA are on the upper circumference and the years 1946 – 2016 denoting 70 years of anniversary are inscribed below the words.

Bank Negara Malaysia is issuing commemorative coins in conjunction with the 50th Anniversary of Yayasan Sabah. Yayasan Sabah (the Sabah Foundation) was founded by the late Tun Datu Haji Mustapha bin Datu Harun on 10 May 1966. Its main objective is to enhance the socioeconomic standing of all Malaysians in Sabah, especially those in rural areas, through various education and economic development programmes.

REVERSE: The words “BANK NEGARA MALAYSIA” as the issuing authority of the commemorative coin are featured on the upper circumference of the coin, while the face value of the coin is inscribed on the lower circumference. In between, the official logo of Yayasan Sabah is featured on the coin.

OBVERSE: The centre of the coin shows the image and surroundings of Menara Tun Mustapha, also known as the Sabah Foundation Tower. The words “Ulang Tahun Ke-50” and the years “1966-2016” denotes the 50th anniversary. The Foundation’s official name “YAYASAN SABAH” is featured on the upper circumference of the coin.

Bank Negara Malaysia is issuing commemorative coins today in conjunction with the World Team Table Tennis Championships 2016. This international tournament has participation from more than 100 countries. It will be held from February 28 to March 6 at Malawati Stadium in Shah Alam, Selangor Darul Ehsan.

REVERSE: The words “BANK NEGARA MALAYSIA” as the issuing authority of the commemorative coin is featured on the upper circumference of the coin, while the face value of the coin is inscribed on the lower circumference. The event logo in conjunction with the World Team Table Tennis Championships 2016 is featured on the centre of the coin.

OBVERSE: The service action for a table tennis game is depicted in the centre of the coin. For the coloured silver coins, the image of the table tennis bat is in red and the ball is in yellow. The words “WORLD TEAM” appear on the upper circumference of the coin while the words “TABLE TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS 2016” are inscribed on the lower circumference.

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In addition to the above, there are 2,000 sets containing one of each coin.