A Bodega is a popular wine restaurant opened in Penang Island in 1892 under the Straits Settlement Administration. According to the historical reference book, the wine in Bodega was sold in barrel with some snack of cheese and biscuits. The wine restaurant was owned by Messrs. Gosling and Company since 15th July 1892 and sold to Mrs. Collins in 1898. The wine restaurant issued the private token for the purpose of wine or services purchased in the restaurant although the use of private token as a medium of exchange ceased in Straits Settlement in 1848, however over the years there were several merchants remained to issue private tokens inscribed with the Arabic numeral which implies the monetary value for the good or service rendered.
The obverse of the token was inscribed with "International Bodega & Restaurant" at the edge and "Penang" at the middle of coin. On the reverse part, it was inscribed with Arabic numeral which representing the denomination (cents).
In Nov 2020, two private tokens with the Arabic numeral "10" and "20" of International Bodega & Restaurant had been sold by Heritage Auction Europe with the price tag more than €1000.
The Akio Seki Collection - Penang - Malaysia - International Bodega and Restaurant Penang - 10 cents c.1892 - c.1900 (LaWe - / SS 35 / Pridm 31) - Obv. In the centre: Penang. Legend: International Bodega & Restaurant / Rev. Numeric value - brass 21 mm - Some discoloration, VF / R: rare
Starting price: € 75
Hammer price: € 1000 + 25% buyer premium
