2017-07-07 Fri

To mark the 50th anniversary of the Singapore-Brunei Currency Interchangeability Agreement, Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong launched the S$50 and B$50 notes. The ceremony took place when the Sultan visited Singapore.

The good news is that one million B$50 and two million S$50 commemorative notes will be available for exchange at face value at banks in Singapore.

All the banks in Singapore and Brunei will distribute a set of two $ 50 commemorative polymer notes, comprising one B$50 note and one S$50 note.

The names of the banks are DBS, OCBC, UOB, Maybank, Standard Chartered Bank, HSBC, Citibank, Bank of China and Industrial and Commercial Bank of China.

A maximum of five commemorative note sets and 10 pieces of S$50 commemorative notes can be exchanged per transaction. Also, the Singapore Mint website will showcase an exclusive collection of five types of limited-edition note sets. Brunei artists Abdul Ajihis Haji Terawih, Eng Siak Loy and his son Weng Ziyan have designed the notes.

Everyone in Brunei knows Mr. Ajihis is a famous oil painter and stamp designer and he is excited as this is his first notes design for the country. Also, Mr Eng is known for designing Singapore’s longest-running currency series, the portrait series.

Both the Brunei and Singapore commemorative notes feature the same design elements and layout.

The front of the note depicts the 50th-anniversary logo of the agreement.

It showcases the Simpur, a well-known flower found in Brunei and Singapore’s national flower Vanda Miss Joaquim.

The designers chose to colour the banknotes in yellowish gold as it represents 50 years of collaboration between both countries.

There is a depiction that showcases the flowers are blooming, symbolising flourishing ties between the two nations.

On the back of the banknotes are drawings reflecting themes of defence, tourism and education.

According to the designers, the drawings include elements from both countries, including military personnel and tourist attractions.

The Autoriti Monetari Brunei Darussalam and the Monetary Authority of Singapore have made an agreement that they will accept currency notes and coins issued by the other, and exchange them at par and without charge, into their own currency.