Crisp new notes for the new year
By James Kon and Azrol Azmi
Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin
Brudirect.com News
Bandar Seri Begawan
28.12.06
Crispy new currency notes in the denominations of $500 and $10,000 respectively have been introduced on the eve of the coming New Year.
The two new polymer currency notes were issued by the Brunei Currency and Monetary Board, and will be in circulation effective today December 28, 2006, throughout the country.
The introduction of the new polymer currency notes was in conjunction with His Majesty's 60th Birthday celebration.
Haji Mohd Rosh Bin Hj Sabtu, the Chief Executive Officer of Brunei Currency and Monetary Board revealed that the Brunei Currency and Monetary Board will issue new $500 and $10,000 polymer notes on the 28 December 2006. These new notes will circulate side by side with the present notes, which will remain legal tender in Brunei Darussalam and in countries, which accept them.
"The issue of new polymer notes is in conjunction with the 60th Birthday of His Majesty The Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam," he said.
The new $10,000 currency note depict the picture of His Majesty The Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam while by the Command of His Majesty The Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, the $500 notes show the portrait of Al-Marhum Sultan Haji OmarAli Saifuddien Sa'adul Khairi Waddien.
To prevent counterfeiting of the new currency notes, numerous security features are being embedded in the new polymer currency notes of Brunei Darussalam. The illumination of the hidden crest can only be seen under the ultraviolet light source.
These polymer notes which can last much longer than paper notes, contains security features such as local motifs which are on the left side of the front face of the new notes forming a complex clear window, while initial HB 500 and 10,000 can be seen on each respective note when viewed through the small transparent window to a point of light source. The Crest of Brunei Darussalam is printed in vibrant red ink on a gold patch, the serial numbers are printed both vertically and horizontally in fonts of variation,' sizes.
Other security features comprise of a design formed through the combination of printing on both sides of the note when held up to the light, a shadow image of His Majesty's portrait and initial HB will appear when the banknote is held up to light, and the notes also come with G-switch feature which changes colour when tilted under a light source.
Viewed at different angles, it alternates between two complementary colours, creating an optical reflection effect. Haji Mohd Rosh Bin Hj Sabtu also said the amount of these notes in circulation will depend on the needs of the economy. "We will print the appropriate amount to accommodate the economy," he added.
