New $20 notes for sale today
 

Borneo Bulletin Online

28.06.07

By Sonia K.

In commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the Currency Interchangeability Agreement (CIA), Brunei Darussalam and Singapore launched $20 polymer notes yesterday.

They were launched at Istana Nurul Iman by His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and Prime Minister of Singapore Mr Lee Hsien Loong.

There are two versions of the $20 notes, one for commemoration and one for circulation.

The commemorative notes have a special over print with the state crests of both countries and bear the text "40th Anniversary Currency Interchangeability Agreement".

They will be sold in a set of one piece of B$20 and one piece of S$20 with matching serial numbers, adding up to a total face value of $40 signifying the 40th anniversary.

Of the 12,000 sets made available to the public, 10,000 sets will be issued by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and 2,000 sets by the Brunei Currency and Monetary Board (BCMB).

Out of the 2,000 sets, 1950 sets will be sold to the public at $88 each. The remaining 50 sets will be placed for auction in Singapore next month.

Also available for sale today at the Brunei Monetary Authority starting from 8.30am are three notes and 24 notes on uncut sheets.

Some 200 sets of three notes on uncut sheets with a total face value of B$60 have been issued and will be sold to the public at B$120 per folder.

Of the 24 notes on uncut sheets, only 25 sheets will be sold to the public at B$820 per sheet.

Besides the commemorative version, the Brunei Currency and Monetary Board (BCMB) and Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) also issued a circulation version of new $20 polymer note, which will be officially available in banks today.

The notes, which are a joint issue by Brunei Darussalam and Singapore, have a common predominant orange colour and common back design.

The following are the design elements for the common theme on the back of the note:

Two interlocking "C's (which stands for currency) are featured with the text "Brunei Darussalam. Singapore" inscribed on one arm, and "Currency Interchangeability Agreement 1967-2007" inscribed on the other. At the intersection, the state crests of both countries and the text "Forty years" symbolise the nexus of the agreement.

Distinctive national landmarks of Brunei Darussalam and Singapore are featured.

For Brunei Darussalam, the Sultan Omar 'Ali Saifuddien Mosque with the Royal Barge and the Water Village (Kampong Ayer) are featured. For Singapore, the Esplanade and buildings along its city waterfront are featured.

Both countries will retain the respective front design currently issued by each country. For Brunei Darussalam, the front design is the portrait of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and the Ipomoea Pescapre (Tapak Kuda Laut), a medicinal plant with purplish flowers found along the beaches of Brunei Darussalam. This long and resilient creeper plant is chosen to symbolise the Currency Interchangeability Agreement by Singapore's first president, the late Encik Yusof bin Ishak. A stalk of orchids known as Dendrobium Puan Noor Aishah (named after the wife of the late President Yusof Ishak) and the text " Yusof Bin Ishak, First President of Singapore below the portrait has been added to the front design".

Both notes are sized 149mm x 72mm.

To deter counterfeiting, the new $20 polymer notes have numerous security features. Brunei's $20 polymer note includes one see-through window with the crest of Brunei Darussalam printed in red at the centre. The shadow image of His Majesty's portrait and the initials "HB" are clearly visible with transmitted light. The asymmetrical serial numbering style has progressively larger digitals in adjacent positions. One set of the serial numbers appears horizontally, the other vertically.

Other security features are the widespread use of intaglio (raised ink) printing on His Majesty's portrait; the flowers surrounding texts and other areas give the note an embossed feel; the numeral 20 is printed on the gold patch in transparent raised printing and will appear at varying angles. Colour switching features, which will change from green to gold in varying angles.

Meanwhile, Singapore's $20 polymer note has two see-through windows, one on the top left-hand side and the other at the bottom right corner. Printed on one side of the money is the shadow image of President Yusof bin Ishak clearly visible with transmitted light; a stylish gold Singapore lion symbol with a hidden image; beside the top left hand window, an image of Singapore arms will appear at varying angles.

Other security features include the security thread in the shape of Singapore island, and a clear window embossed with the numeral "20". At the top and bottom of the window is a repetitive pattern of the numeral "20". Lastly, a colour switching feature, which will change from red to gold at varying angles.

A specimen of the new $20 note.

A spokesperson holding a set of three new Brunei $20 notes. On the left is a set of new Singapore $20 notes.

An uncut sheet containing 24 pieces of $20 banknotes is shown.