Negara Brunei Darussalam
Five polymer banknotes: 1, 5, 10, 50 and 100 Ringgit · 2004 issue
1 Ringgit · 2004
Satu Ringgit · Simpur Gajah · Tropical Rainforest Waterfall
Key Details Visible on the Banknote
- Obverse:portrait of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah in ceremonial military uniform and traditional songkok; at center, the native Simpur Gajah plant (Dillenia suffruticosa).
- Reverse:waterfall in the Brunei rainforest (Air Terjun Hutan Tropika), with text in Latin characters and the Jawi alphabet.
- Star window:Transparent opening in the shape of an eight-pointed geometric star, of traditional Islamic design, with the national shield engraved in fine lines.
- Perfect floral registration:stylized flower seal printed on both sides that aligns exactly when held to the light.
- Color:multicolored blue, green and yellow tones.
5 Ringgit · 2004
Lima Ringgit · Carnivorous Pitcher Plant · Rainforest Floor
Key Details Visible on the Banknote
- Obverse:portrait of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah in full-dress military uniform; the central vignette depicts the carnivorous pitcher plant (Nepenthes, Somboi-Somboi), a species characteristic of Borneo.
- Reverse:view of the tropical rainforest floor (Lantai Hutan Tropika), with ferns, palms, and low undergrowth.
- Octagonal Islamic Window:transparent opening with geometric openwork contour that encloses the Brunei shield in opaque white filigree.
- Dual UV fluorescent ink:The horizontal serial number block and foliage elements glow under ultraviolet light.
- Intaglio Printing:tactile raised ink on the main lettering and the corner numerals.
- Color:bright green with yellow and blue undertones.
10 Ringgit · 2004
Sepuluh Ringgit · Keladi Laut · Tropical Rainforest Canopy
Key Details Visible on the Banknote
- Obverse:portrait of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah in ceremonial military uniform; the central vignette depicts the native Keladi Laut climbing plant, also known as the jungle climbing yam.
- Reverse:panoramic view of Brunei's tropical rainforest canopy (Kanopi Hutan Tropika), with inscriptions in Latin characters and the Jawi alphabet.
- Octagonal Islamic Window:transparent opening with geometric openwork contour that encloses the national coat of arms of Brunei in opaque white filigree.
- UV fluorescent ink:The horizontal serial number block and geometric design elements shine brightly under ultraviolet light.
- Intaglio Printing:tactile raised ink on the main denomination lettering and the corner numerals.
- Color:red, pink and orange multicolor.
50 Ringgit · 2004
Lima Puluh Ringgit · Torch Flower · Rainforest Canopy
Historical and Issue Context
A unified 2004 series:The banknotes in this catalog entry are from the same polymer family issued by Negara Brunei Darussalam from 2004, printed by Note Printing Australia on Guardian® substrate, with the portrait of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah on the obverse and motifs of native flora and Brunei rainforest landscapes on the reverse of each denomination.1,2
A second step toward full conversion:Brunei had already issued its first polymer banknotes of 1, 5 and 10 Ringgit in February 1996; The 2004 family expanded the conversion to higher denominations, and by 2007 the country completed the switch to polymer in its entire circulation.3,4
Key Details Visible on the Banknote
- Obverse:portrait of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah in military uniform and songkok; at center, the torch ginger flower (Etlingera solaris); on the right, the Coat of Arms of Brunei in metallic ink.
- Reverse:dense canopy landscape of the Brunei rainforest (Hutan Tropika), with text in Latin characters and the Jawi alphabet.
- Complex transparent window:large plastic window on the left with the textured silhouette of the Sultan in white optical relief.
- Optically Variable Device (OVD):The national emblem is printed with a reflective polymer matrix that changes tone depending on the angle of light.
- Progressive vertical numbering:The right serial number uses ascending digits printed with magnetic inks.
- Color:brown, light green and multi-colored blue.
100 Ringgit · 2004
Seratus Ringgit · Melastoma malabathricum · Berambang Island
Key Details Visible on the Banknote
- Obverse:portrait of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah in military uniform and songkok; at center, the native flowers ofMelastoma malabathricum; on the right, the Coat of Arms of Brunei in reflective metallic ink.
- Reverse:natural landscape of the iconic Berambang Island (Pulau Chermin), reflected in the water and surrounded by tropical vegetation.
- Transparent window with silhouette:large plastic window on the left with a stylized floral silhouette in white optical relief.
- Optically Variable Device (OVD):The national emblem is printed with a reflective polymer matrix that changes color depending on the angle of inclination.
- Progressive vertical numbering:The right serial number uses ascending digits printed with special magnetic inks.
- Color:brown, gold and multicolored blue undertones.
Notes
1. Reserve Bank of Australia, Annual Report 2005, “Note Printing Australia and Securency”,rba.gov.au: “Five new denominations were launched on Guardian® polymer substrate in the 2004/05 financial year. This includes the Brunei $50 and $100 for Brunei Darussalam…”; NPA was awarded a gold medal at the National Print Awards for its B$50 and B$100 bills.
2. Note Printing Australia, “Our Customers”,noteprinting.com: the Autoriti Monetari Brunei Darussalam is among the issuing authorities that receive polymer banknotes from NPA.
3. Wikipedia, “Polymer banknote”: “In February 1996, Brunei issued 1, 5 and 10 ringgit banknotes”, among the first non-commemorative polymer banknotes outside Australia.
4. Reserve Bank of Australia, Annual Report 2006, “Note Printing Australia and Securency”,rba.gov.au: “Vietnam, Brunei and Papua New Guinea are approaching full conversion” to polymer.