Malaysian Currency

Bank Negara Malaysia was established on January 26 1959, under the Central Bank of Malaysia Act 1958. On June 12, 1967, the Malaysian Dollar issued by Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) replaced the Malaya and British Borneo dollar at par. The new currency retained all denominations except the $10,000 denomination and also brought over the colour scheme of the old dollar. Over the course of the following decades, changes were made on the notes and coins issued, from the introduction of the M$1 coin in 1967, to the demonetisation of M$500 and M$1,000 notes during the 1990s.

Coins

First Series (1967)

The first series of sen coins were introduced in 1967 in denominations of 1 sen, 5 sen, 10 sen, 20 sen, 50 sen, followed by the introduction of the 1 ringgit coin in 1971. The 50 sen coin is the only coin in the series to undergo a minor design modification on its edge in 1971 to include “Bank Negara Malaysia” letterings.

Second Series (1989)

The second series of coins entered circulation in the late 1989. Changes include the inclusion of a hibiscus, the national flower of Malaysia on the upper half of the observe and the depiction of items of cultural items on the reverse. On December 7, 2005, the 1 ringgit coin was demonetized and withdrawn from circulation.

Currency Notes

First Series (1967)

Bank Negara Malaysia launched its first local currency notes in 1967, in values of $1, $5, $10, $50 and $100. The $1,000 currency notes were launched in 2^nd September 1968.

The obverse was printed with the portraits of the first DYMM Yang Di-Pertuan Agong. At the reverse was the BNM emblem with decorated geometry as the background.

Second Series (1982)

On 1^st September 1982, Bank Negara Malaysia launched its second series currency notes. All notes were covered with the new design and featured Malaysia’s culture. Two additional new denominations (RM20 and RM500) were launched at the same time. The tiger watermark image on the old notes has been replaced by the portraits of the DYMM Yang Di-Pertuan Agong.

Third Series (1996)

The third series was issued with designs in the spirit of Wawasan 2020 in denominations of RM2, RM5, RM10, RM50 and RM100. In 2000, the RM1 note was introduced, replacing the RM2 note and RM1 coin. In 2004, a new RM5 polymer banknote with a distinctive transparent window was also issued.

Coins

Obverse

The reverse sides of the six denominations have a common design and feature the national flower, the Bunga Raya (hibiscus flower) in the upper middle part of the coin with the denomination below. The words :BANK NEGARA MALAYSIA are inscribed along the upper circumference with the year of mintage in the lower half.

50 sen

Reverse

Kite Flying is a popular form of Malaysian past time during the windy season especially in the East Coast. It requires much skill, dexterity and experience to make and to fly a kite. Kites are also decorative items, which sometimes grace the walls of Malaysian homes.

20 sen

Reverse

Tapak sirih, which is intricately carved is used to store betel leaves and its accompanying condiments. They are used during auspicious conditions and is a sign of welcome amongst the Malays.

10 sen

Reverse

The congkak board is used for traditional indoor games, played by children with marbles in the Malay villages. It is carved out of wood and consist of numerous large holes. Played by two persons with numerous variations of the rules, a congkak game is a popular past time. The congkak is placed on a traditional home woven mat in most Malay village homes.

Miniature Sheet