British North Borneo dollar facts for kids
Quick facts for kids British North Borneo dollar |
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| User(s) | .svg){kind=small} North Borneo |
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| Pegged with | Pound sterling at -/2/4d | ||
| Subunit | |||
| 1⁄100 | cent | ||
| Symbol | $ | ||
| Coins | 1⁄2, 1, 21⁄2, 5, 25 cents | ||
| Banknotes | 25, 50 cents, $1, $5, $10, $25 | ||
The British North Borneo dollar was the official money used in British North Borneo from 1882 to 1953. This area is now part of Malaysia. The dollar was divided into 100 smaller units called cents.
For many years, the British North Borneo dollar had the same value as the Straits dollar. This was the money used in nearby Malaya and Singapore. One dollar was worth 2 shillings and 4 pence in British money (called sterling). Both coins and banknotes were made by the British North Borneo Company.
Money During World War II
During World War II, from 1942 to 1945, Japan took control of North Borneo. During this time, the Japanese government printed new paper money. These notes came in values from 1 cent all the way up to 1000 dollars.
The Japanese set the value of their money differently. One of their dollars was equal to one Japanese yen. Before the war, one British North Borneo dollar was worth two Japanese yen. After the war ended, the Japanese money became worthless. The original British North Borneo dollars went back to their old value compared to British sterling.
Coins of North Borneo
The first coins were made of copper. They came in values of half a cent and 1 cent. Later, coins were also made of copper-nickel (1 cent, 2 and a half cents, 5 cents) and silver (25 cents).
At first, the coins said "British North Borneo Co". This was because the British North Borneo Company had the right to make money. This right was given to them by a special Royal Charter in 1881. Later, starting in 1903, the coins said "State of North Borneo".
All the coins showed the company's or state's coat of arms on one side. The other side showed the coin's value. The last of these coins were made in 1941. They were later replaced by coins from the Malayan dollar.
Banknotes of North Borneo
Paper money, or banknotes, were printed in several values. These included 25 cents, 50 cents, $1, $5, $10, and $25. The pictures and designs on the banknotes did not change much over the years. However, the actual size of the notes tended to get smaller over time. The banknotes often showed the coat of arms, Mount Kinabalu, or both.
See also
