Sad Tale Of The 10-Sen Coin No One Wants

I RECENTLY took a LRT ride from KLCC to KL Sentral. As soon as I sat down, I noticed a 10-sen coin on the floor. Although the train was crowded, no one picked it up.

Pola Singh, The Star

I’m sure if it was a higher denomination, there would be ­takers in line with the “finders keepers” principle.

When the train stopped at the next few stations, including Masjid Jamek (easily the busiest station in KL), the boarding passengers also disregarded the coin.

In fact, some distanced themselves from the coin. Perhaps they felt that stooping down to pick up a 10-sen coin was not worth it.

Then I thought to myself, is the 10-sen coin now so worthless that no one bothers to pick it up? Is this the beginning of its demise?

I remember my mum giving me 10 cents a day during my primary schooldays in the early 60s.

I could buy a piece of kuih and a glass of syrup/orange water at the tuckshop.

But my experience on the LRT verified my assessment that the cost of living is so high now that the public is not interested in a “free” 10-sen coin.

Sadly, 10 sen cannot buy you anything these days. Even beggars expect at least RM1.

So is our 10-sen coin ready to be consigned to the dustbin of history or maybe the National Museum?