British North Borneo dollar

The British North Borneo dollar was the currency of British North Borneo from 1882 to 1953. It was subdivided into 100 cents. The dollar had remained at par with the Straits dollar (and its successor the Malayan dollar), the currency of Malaya and Singapore, at the value of one dollar to 2 shillings 4 pence sterling from its introduction until both currencies were replaced by the Malaya and British Borneo dollar in 1953. Both coins and banknotes are issued by the British North Borneo Company.

During the Japanese occupation period (1942–1945), paper money was issued in denominations ranging from 1 cent to 1000 dollars. This currency was fixed at 1 dollar = 1 Japanese yen, compared to a 1:2 pre-war rate. Following the war, the Japanese occupation currency was declared worthless and the previous issues of the British North Borneo dollar regained their value relative to sterling (two shillings four pence).

Coins

British North Borneo Company banknote of 1940

Throughout its history, coins were minted in values of ½ cent, 1 cent, 2½ cents, 5 cents, and 25 cents. Only the 25 cent coin contains precious metal.

Banknotes

Banknotes were printed in values of 25 cents, 50 cents, $1, $5, $10, and $25. The design of the banknotes did not change much during the currency's lifetime. However, their physical sizes tend to shrink over time. They either show the coat of arms, Mount Kinabalu, or both.

See also

• Malayan dollar
• Sarawak dollar

External links

• Global Financial Data currency histories table
• Tables of modern monetary history: Asia

pre-WWII

Preceded by: No modern predecessor

Currency of British North Borneo 1882 – 1942 Note: had been at par with Straits dollar, and Malayan dollar after 1939

Succeeded by: Japanese government-issued dollar Location: present day Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei Reason: Japanese occupation Ratio: at par Note: The Japanese allowed the former currencies to circulate, but they were in practice hoarded as a more reliable store of value.

post-WWII

Preceded by: Japanese government-issued dollar Location: present day Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei Reason: Japan lost World War II Ratio: The occupation currency became worthless. The value of the pre-occupation currency was restored.

Currency of British North Borneo 1945 – 1953 Note: had been at par with Malayan dollar

Succeeded by: Malaya and British Borneo dollar Reason: creation of a common Board of Commissioners of Currency Ratio: at par, or 60 dollars = 7 British pounds