ON JUNE 12, 1967, the Board of Commissioners of Currency Malaya and British Borneo handed over its powers to issue currency to Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia and Singapore.
These three territories began issuing their own currencies – Brunei dollar (BND), Singapore dollar (SGD), and Malaysian ringgit (MYR) through the Brunei Currency Board (BCB), the Board of Commissioners of Currency, Singapore (BCCS), and Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), respectively.
Prior to this, only Malaya and British Borneo dollars were circulated.
The currency issuance in 1967 consisted of a paper note series in five denominations (BND1, BND5, BND10, BND50 and BND100) and a coin series of five denominations (1¢, 5¢, 10¢, 20¢ and 50¢).
Both featured the portrait of Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Muhammad Jamalul Alam, the 28th Sultan of Brunei Darussalam.
The reverse of the 1967 notes depicted the Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Mosque while the reverse of the coin series featured various local designs including those said to represent flower or group of blossoms (1¢), tree-shaped to represent a bird (5¢), claw-shaped to represent an animal (10¢), vertical oblong pattern said to represent a tree (20¢) and the crest of Brunei Darussalam (50¢).
The Currency Interchangeability Agreement was also signed between Brunei Darussalam, Singapore and Malaysia on June 12, 1967; where all currencies were interchangeable at par with one another.
Brunei Darussalam and Singapore continue to maintain this agreement.
Under this agreement, the monetary authorities and licensed banks of each country are obliged to accept and exchange each other’s currencies at par and without charge.
This agreement allows the individual currencies (BND and SGD) to be accepted as customary tender when circulating in the country in which they are not legal tender.
The 1967 coin series. – PHOTOS: AMBD
The 1972 notes series
Limited edition BND25 paper notes to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam accession to the throne
Following the accession of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam as the 29th Sultan of Brunei Darussalam, His Majesty’s portrait was featured in the second coin series in 1970 and note series in 1972 .
The note series included two new denominations in BND500 and BND1,000 with new reverse designs.
All other denominations had the same reverse designs as the previous currency series.
The BCB issued the first set of proof coins consisting 1¢, 5¢, 10¢, 20¢, 50¢ and BND1.
Proof coins are special coins made specifically for collectors and are not intended for circulation.
From time to time, BCB issued commemorative coins in various compositions including gold, silver and cupronickel in conjunction with special events.
The third series of notes was introduced in 1989 in eight denominations with a new portrait of His Majesty on the obverse and a local scenery on the reverse with Kampong Ayer as the main theme.
This included the highest denomination of Brunei currency, BND10,000.
In 1992, to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of His Majesty’s accession to the throne, BCB issued limited edition BND25 paper notes as legal tender in addition to the existing denominations.
BCB, in 1993, issued a new set of coins bearing some notable differences from the 1977 series.
While the 1977 series featured the side profile of His Majesty, the 1993 series carried an entirely new portrait depicting His Majesty facing forward.
Additionally, His Majesty’s title on the coins was changed to ‘Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah’ on the 1993 series from ‘Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah’.
The public is welcome to visit the Autoriti Monetari Brunei Darussalam Currency Gallery at the Brunei Currency and Monetary Board Building, Ministry of Finance Complex, Commonwealth Drive, which exhibits a range of currencies from the early era as well as uncut notes and commemorative coins.
The gallery is open from 8.30am to noon and 2pm to 4.30pm except on Friday from 8.30am to 11.00am and 3pm to 4pm, and during the month of Ramadhan, 8.30am to 2pm except on Friday from 8.30am to 10.30am. – AMBD
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