More than 92,000 students to receive special 50 cent coins to mark Golden Jubilee AMBD has begun distributing the coins to 234 schools and colleges across the country

More than 92,000 students in the country will receive commemorative 50 cent coins minted to mark the the Golden Jubilee of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam.

Autoriti Monetari Brunei Darussalam (AMBD) announced last month that a portion of the 500,000 new coins will be set aside to be distributed to schools, while the remaining coins will be put into circulation as legal tender.

AMBD in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Religious Affairs organised a distribution ceremony with schools’ representatives this morning at the International Convention Centre. AMBD Managing Director, Yusof Hj Abd Rahman (pictured above, L) handed over the commemorative coins to the students.

The coins will be distributed to 92,439 preschool, primary, secondary and sixth form students from 234 schools. They will each receive the 50 cent coin which comes in blister packaging.

The distinctive feature of the coins is its jawi inscription 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). The crown was one of the royal regalia used during the coronation ceremony of His Majesty in 1968.

The central bank in a statement said that, “This 50 cent coin is a special gift to the students, distributed by AMBD, to allow them to own one of the latest currencies in conjunction with the Golden Jubilee. It is hoped that this special gift will be appreciated by the students and serves as a precious reminder of the golden jubilee of our beloved Sultan, who cares deeply for the people, religion and country”. 

On October 4, AMBD opened up pre-order for several commemorative Golden Jubilee products, including special $50 polymer notes and gold and silver commemorative coins. Among the nine limited edition products up for sale, AMBD received 4,000 pre-orders. 

The commemorative coin in gold, worth $3,500; the commemorative coin in silver, priced at $400; and the 5th Series Special Collection Coin Set worth $20; were all over-subscribed during the pre-order period. Sets that are oversubscribed will be subject to balloting, said AMDB.