Brunei's New $500 and $10,000 Banknotes

Starting today, Brunei will have two new currency notes replacing the old $500 and $10,000 notes. When I mentioned this to some people, they laughed. Most of them have not even seen the old $10,000 note, so it does not matter whether there is a new note replacing it or not. While it is true that not many of us will be using those but should you come across one of them, you would realise that these are new notes. The new $500 and $10,000 notes are now on the polymer series leaving only the $1,000 note which remained as non-polymer.

The new $500 has an interesting feature. It is the only note that will not have the picture of our current ruler, His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah. Instead it will be the picture of the late His Majesty Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien will be on it. This in itself is fairly unique as it is very unusual to have a deceased ruler on a current banknote.

The features on the new notes are as follows (follow the numbering on the notes):-

1. The red motif based on the design of the reverse of Brunei 5 cent coin has been shaped into a flower to form a clear window. The window pattern alternates between pink and gold when viewed at different angles.

2. The initial HB500 can be seen when viewing through the small transparent window to a point light source.

3. The crest of Brunei Darussalam is printed in vibrant red ink on a gold flower shaped patch of 16 petals.

4. The serial numbers are printed both vertically and horizontally in fonts of varying sizes.

5. When the note is held up to the light, two solid leaves are formed through the combination of printing on both sides of the note.

6. The shadow image of His Majesty's potrait and initial "HB" will appear when the banknote is held up to the light.

7. A gold patch with the numeral 500.

The new $10,000 note is much smaller than the old one. I wrote about the old $10,000 note about six months ago. The new one is much nicer and not as big as the older one. The older one I think had the size of an A5 paper and not friendly at all if you have to put it in your wallet. But then only very few people would actually go around with $10,000 notes in their wallet.

The new $10,000 note had the following features (countercheck against the numbers on the pictures of the $10,000 note on the left):-

1. The motif, based on a 10 pointed star forms a clear window. The pattern around the window alternates between green and magenta when viewed at different angles.

2. The initial "10K" can be seen when viewing through the small transparent window to a point light source.

3. The crest of Brunei Darussalam is printed in vibrant red ink on a shield shaped gold patch.

4. The serial numbers are printed on both vertically and horizontally in fonts of varying sizes.

5. When the note is held up to the light, the 8 pointed star becomes a filled in circle through the combination of printing on both sides of the note.

6. The shadow image of His Majesty's potrait and initial "HB" will appear when the banknote is held up to the light.

7. A gold patch with numeral "10000".

Comments

Anonymous said…
I collect old notes in the hopes that they will appreciate in value. The old $1, $5 and even $10 are easy to put away in a drawer instead of my wallet. The old $50 notes on the other hand are a completelly different story because its face value is worth quite a bit ($50 for goodness sake!)

Now if I see an old $500 I will be faced with the same indecision only it will be 10 times worse. Argh...
Anonymous said…
Wonder when I can hold a $10k note in my hand.. hmm...
Anonymous said…
How can foreigners get hold of these notes from overseas?
Anonymous said…
I am the volunteer editor of Inside IBNS, the quarterly printed newsletter for the International Bank Note Society (www.theIBNS.org), a non-profit organization with approximately 2,000 paper money collectors worldwide.

We always strive to include detailed images of new notes in the newsletter. As such, would it be possible for you to send 300-dpi, actual size, full-color scans of the front and back of these notes?

In recognition of your contribution, I will publish the following next to any scans you provide: Courtesy of YOUR NAME (YOUR URL).

I look forward to your prompt reply to this request. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
--
Owen W. Linzmayer (IBNS member 7962)
Editor, Inside IBNS
2227 15th Ave.
San Francisco, CA 94116-1824 USA
Mr Owen Linzmayer:

I am sorry I will not be able to provide you that. The best is to use the scan of the currency notes that I have put up under the entry.

Under the Brunei Currency and Monetary Act, to scan the full size notes require permission from the Brunei Currency and Monetary Board otherwise it is illegal. I suggest you write to Board directly at the following address for any assistance required with any of the Brunei currency notes:

The Chief Executive Officer
Brunei Currency and Monetary Board
Ministry of Finance Building
Commonwealth Drive
Bandar Seri Begawan BB 3910
Brunei Darussalam.

Hope that helps.
Anonymous said…
I just came across this interesting video called The Money Masters. Its about how printing money came about and how the international bankers control the flow of money and keep governments and everyone else in dept so they can make enormous gains. Spread the word people.
Unknown said…
i get a lot of images of Brunei notes (the best from polymernotes.org),but they dont mention some note size( in mm x mm)...can i know the real size for Brunei $10000 polymer notes ?
Anonymous said…
Hello..

I collect polymer and paper of the world. Had a plan to visit Brunei in September. Is there any possibility to get Uncirculated 500, 1000 and 10000 dollar polymer notes from bank for face value or any coin/banknote dealers in Brunei? Kindly advice.

Saran

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