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Sep 215 min read

Elephants, The Bulldozers Of Myanmar: 200 Kyats (Myanmar, 2004)-Article

The Union of Myanmar also known as Burma, uses a currency named after an ancient Burmese measurement called kyattha. One kyattha was equal to 16.3 grams (0.57 oz) of silver. All Kyat notes are bilingual, Burmese on the observe and English on the reverse, 1 Kyat is subdivided into 100 Pyas.


This Burmese banknotes represents the 8th denomination of the 3rd Kyat (Series 1994). Notably all banknotes of the series, with the exception of the 50 Pyas note features a chinthe statue. The notes are color-coded and become larger along their denomination. This along with their bilingual English text, makes them easier to understand, by non-Burmese speakers.


The overall notes from this colorful series can can be bought for a fairly low price. Making it a good starting point for beginner collectors. Although inexperienced collector should be aware of Series 2004 banknotes. Which look similar to the earlier notes, yet are smaller in size.


Observe

The observe prominently depicts a chinthe, a highly stylized lion-like guardian creature. Often seen in Myanmar as statues, guarding the entrances of Buddhist temples, pagodas, and monasteries. Chinthes are depicted the majority of Kyat notes, with some rare exceptions.


The text is in Burmese script and numerals. The upper text translates to “CENTRAL BANK OF MYANMAR”, below (center) is the note's value “Two Hundred Kyat”. The value is stated in 3 additional times, once in Western Arabic (Standard) numerals on the lower right. And twice in Burmese numerals (၂၀၀), once in the upper-left and right, on a decorative guilloché patterns.


Below is a Burmese serial number "ဖည၂၄၈၉၈၉၇", at the lower-left is second serial number "VJ2489897". This second serial number is in standard numerals and rests on the note's watermark area. When held into bright light, an outline of a left-ward facing chinthe head can be seen.


Notably the printer of this note is the Security Printing Works Factory – Wazi (SPW). The national printer of all banknotes for the Central Bank of Myanmar.


Reverse

The reverse features a detailed illustration depicting traditional elephant logging. A once common practice in Southeast Asia. The Asian Elephant's trunk is particular muscular, capable of of skillfully manipulating loads up to 300 kg (660 lbs). The elephant's handler known as a mahout, often has deep bonds with their elephant.


The remainder of the reverse is fairly conventional, featuring English text. The text mirrors of the observe, with slight adjustments. The note's value (၂၀၀) is listed in Burmese numerals, on the lower-left. There is a number “200” printed on the center, upper-right and upper-left. The right side number rest on a guilloché pattern, on the watermark area.


Tale of the Chinthe

The origin of the Chinthe is provided in the Mahavamsa (the "Great Chronicle"):

The princess Suppadevi of Vanga Kingdom (Bengal) had a son named Sinhabahu, through her marriage to a lion. But later abandoned the lion, who then became enraged and set out on a road of terror throughout the lands. The son then went out to slay this terrorizing lion. The son came back home to his mother stating he slew the lion, and then found out that he killed his own father. The son later constructed a statue of the lion as a guardian of a temple to atone for his sin.

The Asian Elephant

The endangered Asian Elephant is the largest animal native to South and Southeast Asian. Although once widespread from the East Asian coast to portions of West Asian. Current populations are mostly distributed in isolated pockets. These pockets include populations of the Indian, Sri Lankan, and Sumatran subspecies.


Asian Elephants are smaller than their cousins the African Elephant. Asian elephants are descended from ancient African populations and thus have a number of subtle differences. Asian elephants have smaller ears, less loose skin, and an arched back. Their trunks have only one tip, instead of two.


Asian elephant heads have 2 domes and are the highest part of their body. As opposed to African elephants that have 1 dome, that is slightly lower than their shoulders. The number of toes differ between the 2 species. Both have 5 front toes, although Asian elephants have 4 back toes. While African elephants have only 3 back toes.


Asian elephant males slightly larger, than females of the same species. Although less so than their African cousins. A male elephants are 2.75 m (9.0 ft) tall and weigh 4,000 kg (8,800 pounds). While male elephants are 2.75 m (9.0 ft) tall and weigh 4,000 kg (8,800 pounds).


Asian Elephants being trained for traditional logging, in Southeast Asia.
Asian Elephants being trained for traditional logging, in Southeast Asia.

Unlike African Elephants, the Asian Elephant have longer history of domestication. With the earliest depictions dating to 3,000 BCE, by the Indus Valley Civilization (3300 BCE to 1300 BCE). This tradition continues into modern times in South and Southeast Asia. Particularly rural areas where elephants are used in traditional logging.


From a young age elephants are trained by a howdah or keeper. Who creates a close bond with their mount. Generally most tamed elephants are used for carrying people or cargo. Although logging remains in demand as a specialized type of labor.


The advantage of using elephants is their mobility and ease of maintenance. As elephants can feed from the natural environment. Unlike modern machinery, elephants can walk between trees and cross waterways. They also reduced environmental damage in comparison to tracked skids, which drag logs causing more damage.

Although it should be noted this form of traditional logging has been declining. Leading to elephant keepers to seek other forms of employment. Such as working as tour guides, providing tourist rides along nature trails. Some have sought employment as forest rangers, using their skills to stop poachers and illegal logging operations.


One particular area of interest are temple elephants. Which are used in religious Buddhist and Hindu religious processions and festivals. These elephants are occasionally ornately dressed and painted for parades. Although are more often used to receive donations at major temples.

A mahout washing his elephant, at Kanchipuram Temple.
A mahout washing his elephant, at Kanchipuram Temple.

Third Kyat Gallery

(This gallery will be updated as more banknotes are catalogued)

 

Additional Notes

  • The note's dimensions are 150 mm x 69 mm or 5.91 in x 2.72 in, larger than a US Dollar.

  • This banknote is shorter and wider, than a standard US Dollar (6.14 x 2.61 in).

  • It's highly recommended to use large protective sleeves, when preserving this note.

  • Standard size (top-opening) protective sleeves will leave a small area uncovered.

  • West Asian Elephants are believed to have been an extinct subspecies.

  • The term Syrian Elephant is used for ancient West Asian Elephants.

  • Female Asian Elephants unlike African Elephants often lack tusk.

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