1941 Malaya / British Administration 50 Cents PMG Graded 67 EPQ Superb GEM UNC

This pair of 1941 Malaya / British Administration 50 Cents is one of the finest pair of notes that I have in my collection. For such old notes, especially the ones before the World War 2, to come in such a good condition is extremely rare. A grade of 67 EPQ from PMG is also rarely seen for graded notes.

1953 Malaya & British Borneo - Queen Elizabeth II 5 & 10 Dollars PMG Graded 55/58 EPQ

1936 British North Borneo 1 Dollar Banknote P.28

The above note is a 1936 British North Borneo 1 Dollar Banknote. This is a particularly interesting note as it was one of the notes without the portraits of King George issued in regions under British Rule. The mountain depicted in the front of the note is actually Mount Kinabalu. Several languages can be found on the note,  showing the cultural and racial diversity in North Borneo back in the 1930s.

North Borneo was a British protectorate under the sovereign North Borneo Chartered Company from 1882 to 1941. 

The North Borneo Chartered Company or British North Borneo Company was a chartered company assigned to administer North Borneo (today's Sabah in Malaysia) in August 1881. 

From 1942 to 1945, North Borneo was occupied by Japanese military forces, before they were driven out by Australian troops. 

From 1946 to 1963, North Borneo became a crown colony of Great Britain, known in this time as British North Borneo. It is located on the northeastern end of the island of Borneo. It is now the state of Sabah, East Malaysia. 

Queen Elizabeth II Dollar Notes - Malaya 1953 & Canada 1967

Above are dollar notes bearing Queen Elizabeth II's portraits, the top being the Canadian Centennial Issue printed in 1967, when Canada celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Canadian Confederation. The bottom is the Pre-War Malaya & British Borneo (MBB) 1 dollar printed in 1953, when Malaya was still a combination of the current Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei under the British rule. 

Many Singaporeans have not seen the MBB notes before and are always surprised that we actually have a common currency with Malaysia and Brunei, forgetting that we were once together before separation in 1965. This note is particularly interesting, illustrating our history before the World War.

The reverse of the MBB note has the states: Pahang, Perak, Brunei, Malacca on the left, Singapore, Perlis, North Borneo, Johore, Kelantan, Sarawak in the middle and Penang, Trengganu, Negri Sembilan, Selangor on the right.

Malaya Uniface 1940 10 Cents Banknote

Prior to the 1941 Malaya series, there is also a 1940 Malaya series, with the iconic uniface 10 cents banknote. This banknote should be the lowest value banknote with a serial number being printed. This note might be graded Very Fine, due to the various folds as well as the rust and foxing marks visible at the edges.

Malaya & British Borneo "Buffalo" 10 Dollars Banknote

Malaya & British Borneo 10 Dollars Banknote features a buffalo and a farmer and is a recent sough after Malaya note due to its beautiful design. This note has also been used as images on red packets and numerous posters due to its attractiveness and bright colours. The price of this note has been steadily increasing and has even overtook the 1953 Malaya Queen Elizabeth 10 dollars note, though its a 1961 issue.

This note in this post is an Extra Fine note with sharp edges and strong paper. This note is not easily found in this condition nowadays, with many notes being VF and below.

Background

The Malaya and British Borneo dollar (known as the ringgit in Malay, Jawi:رڠڬيت) was the currency of Malaya, Singapore, Sarawak, British North Borneo and Brunei from 1953 to 1967. The currency was issued by the Board of Commissioners of Currency, Malaya and British Borneo. Prior to 1952, the board was known as the Board of Commissioners of Currency, Malaya.

The Malaya and British Borneo dollar was used in Malaya after independence in 1957, and in Malaysia after its formation in 1963, as wll as in Singapore after its independence in 1965. After 1967, the two countries and Brunei ended the common currency arrangement and began issuing their own currencies. However, the Malaya and British Borneo dollar continued to be legal tender until 16 January 1969.

Malaya Japanese Occupation Banknote (World War 2)

The Japanese Occupation of Singapore was a dark time in our history and one of the most iconic item that relates people to this period was the money used, which was also known as the banana note. This note was printed when the Japanese needed more money which led to hyperinflation.

"The Japanese issued banana money as their main currency since Straits currency became rare. The Japanese instituted elements of a command economy in which there were restrictions on the demand and supply of resources, thus creating a popular black market. The "banana currency" started to suffer from high inflation and dropped drastically in value because the authorities would simply print more whenever they needed more money; consequently the black market often used Straits currency."

Currently, this is one of the cheapest Malaya note that can be collected. I am selling this uncirculated 10 dollars note at 4 dollars each for anyone who is interested to obtain a piece of Singapore history.

A Brief History of the Japanese Occupation

The Japanese occupation of Singapore in World War II occurred between about 1942 and 1945 after the fall of Singapore on 15 February 1942. Military forces of the Empire of Japan occupied Singapore after defeating the combined Australian, British, Indian and Malayan garrison in the Battle of Singapore. The occupation was to become a major turning point in the history of several nations, including that of Japan, Britain and the then colonial state of Singapore. Singapore was renamed to Syonan-to (昭南島 Shōnan-tō), which means "Island of the Light of the South" or "Southern Island (obtained) during Shōwa period".

Singapore was officially returned to British colonial rule on 12 September 1945, following the formal signing of the surrender instrument at City Hall.

1959 Malaya & British Borneo 1 Dollar

Lately I have been blogging about vintage items and now I'm back to banknotes! In this post, I will share with everyone the 1959 Malaya & British Borneo 1 Dollar. For many non-collectors, they will not see the difference between the two notes that I have attached below. These 2 notes actually command a different price as they were printed by 2 different printers, namely Waterlow & Sons and Thomas De La Rue which are visible at the front face, middle bottom section of both of the notes. The Waterlow & Sons variety commands a higher price due to the lower supply of the notes.

Malaya and British Borne dollar

The Malaya and British Borneo dollar (known as the ringgit in Malay, Jawi:رڠڬيت) was the currency of Malaya, Singapore, Sarawak, British North Borneo and Brunei from 1953 to 1967. The currency was issued by the Board of Commissioners of Currency, Malaya and British Borneo. Prior to 1952, the board was known as the Board of Commissioners of Currency, Malaya.

The Malaya and British Borneo dollar was used in Malaya after independence in 1957, and in Malaysia after its formation in 1963, as wll as in Singapore after its independence in 1965. After 1967, the two countries and Brunei ended the common currency arrangement and began issuing their own currencies. However, the Malaya and British Borneo dollar continued to be legal tender until 16 January 1969.

For more reading, click here.

1941 Straits Settlements King George VI 5 Dollars

If you guys are wondering what has the Straits Settlements got to do with Singapore Banknotes, heres a short paragraph quoted from Wikipedia.

The Straits Settlements were a group of British territories located in Southeast Asia.

Originally established in 1826 as part of the territories controlled by the British East India Company, the Straits Settlements came under direct British control as a crown colony on 1 April 1867. The colony was dissolved as part of the British reorganisation of its South-East Asian dependencies following the end of the Second World War.

The Straits Settlements consisted of the individual settlements of Malacca, Penang (also known as Prince of Wales Island), and Singapore, as well as (from 1907) Labuan, off the coast of Borneo. With the exception of Singapore, these territories now form part of Malaysia.

And now the 5 dollar note, with foxing, but still a beautiful note with strong paper, in its original sheen and quality.

King George 1941 Malaya 1 Dollar Banknote

Recently I have purchased a King George 1941 Malaya 1 Dollar Banknote. It has aged beautifully, without patches of foxing. It is in its original condition, with a light centerfold. In my opinion, it should be graded as EF. This note is also up for trade with fellow collectors or for sale.

5 Consecutive Malaya 1953 Queen Elizabeth 1 dollar UNC

This is a set of 5 pieces of mint uncirculated Malaya 1953 Queen Elizabeth 1 dollar banknotes. These notes are quite hard to come by and for them to be in a set of 5 consecutive notes in this pristine condition is not easy. These notes were used briefly in Singapore from the period of 1950s to 1960s, and most of you grandparents would find them familiar. Back then, 1 dollar could easily buy you a few day worth of meals. During the Channel 8 shows aired recently which had scenes from the 1950s, these exact notes were being used as props in their sets.

You can view more of my Malaya notes under the Pre-1967 banknotes section of my blog.