Brunei’s central bank has issued limited edition commemorative notes and coins to mark the Golden Jubilee of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam.
The distinctive yellow $50 polymer notes made their debut today, along with gold commemorative coins and 500,000 pieces of 50 cent coins which will enter general circulation.
The items are legal tender in Brunei, however they will only be issued and circulated in limited quantities.
Patron of the Advisory Committee for the Golden Jubilee celebrations, His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), officially launched the new notes and coins at the PMO headquarters in Bandar Seri Begawan this morning.
HRH also serves as chairman of the board of directors for Autoriti Monetari Brunei Darussalam (AMBD), Brunei’s central bank.
AMBD’s Acting Executive Director, Currency Management Unit, Pg Maslina Pg Hj Mahmud said the commemorative products will be available for pre-order on the AMDB website. The pre-order begins today and will run until October 25.
THE $50 POLYMER NOTE
The new $50 polymer note has a number of features to represent the Golden Jubilee.
Its distinctive yellow signifies the royal colour, with the front of the note featuring a new portrait of His Majesty in the Royal Brunei Armed Forces ceremonial uniform.
Designed by Pg Khamarol Zaman Pg Hj Tajudin, the centre of the note also shows an image of the monarch being crowned by his late father, Al-Mahrum Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saiffuddien Saádul Khairi Waddien, with the Jame’ Ásr Hassanil Bolkiah in the background.
The reverse side of the note features an image of His Majesty interacting with members of the public accompanied by the Crown Prince, reflecting their concern and care for the people of Brunei.
Pg Maslina said the main security feature of the note is the ‘$50’ symbol located on the top right corner, which changes colour from green to gold in a rolling bar effect. This new technology is called ‘spark live’, which is a silkscreen printed optical variable.
GOLD COMMEMORATIVE COINS
The limited edition commemorative coins in gold and silver feature a portrait of His Majesty surrounded by 50 Payung Diraja (‘royal umbrella’, a regalia that is used in the coronation ceremony).
It is meant to symbolise Raja Payung Negara, or ‘The King as the Protector of the Nation’, reflecting the Sultan’s role in safeguarding the country and ensuring the welfare of his subjects.
The reverse side features the image of the mahkota (crown) used during his coronation ceremony on August 1, 1968.
COINS IN CIRCULATION
As part of a new coin series, AMBD is issuing 500,000 pieces of 50 cents coins inscribed with jawi along the rim. The inscription carries the phrase: “Sempena Sambutan Jubli Emas Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Seri Baginda Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Muízzaddin Waddaulah Menaiki Takhta”.
Designed by Pg Amir Pg Hj Sablon, the front side of the new coin features a portrait of His Majesty while the reverse side of the coin also features the mahkota (crown).
A number of these 50 cents coins will come in special packaging, and will be distributed to students in all schools later this year.
WHERE YOU CAN GET THEM
Members of the public can exchange normal $50 for the commemorative $50 note at the following banks from October 9: Baiduri Bank; Bank of China; Hong Kong (BOCHK); BIBD; HSBC Brunei; Maybank; RHB Bank; Standard Chartered Bank; UOB; and Perbadanan TAIB.
The following products will also be available for pre-order from the AMBD website:
1. Single numismatic note with special ‘HB50’ prefix (acrylic box) – $200
2. Commemorative set notes BND25 and BND50 (folder)- $BND160
3. $50 polymer sheet (folder) – $55
4. 3-in-1 numismatic uncut $50 sheet (acrylic box) – $400
5. 8-in-1 numismatic uncut $50 sheet (tube)- $1,000
6. 40-in 1 numismatic uncut $50 sheet (tube) – $3,800
7. Commemorative coin in gold – $3,500
8. Commemorative coin in silver – $400
9. 5th series special collection coin set – $20.
Sets will be available for collection from November 6. Sets that are oversubscribed will be subject to balloting.