Brunei Darussalam and Singapore yesterday marked 40 years of currency interchangeability with a special banknote. There are several security features of these new notes which incorporate the latest in anti-counterfiting technology.

Quite a number of Singaporeans are still unaware of the Currency Interchangeability Agreement between our two countries. Even Singaporean Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong admitted that not many Singaporeans know about it, and that currency from Brunei is routinely refused by Singaporean retailers.

The Singapore dollar has been pegged to the Brunei dollar at a rate of 1:1 since 1967. The two currencies are accepted in both countries as legal tender. The currency peg has benefited both countries as there are no additional charges and banks will accept the currencies at the same value.

The commemorative notes, which are a joint issue by Brunei Darussalam and Singapore, have a common predominant orange color and common back design. The following are the design elements for the common theme on the back of the note:



Two interlocking Cs (which stand 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" symbolize 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 pescaprae (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 symbolize 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 at 49 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 center. The shadow image of His Majesty's portrait and the initials "HB" arc 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 the text 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; and color-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 the 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, there is a color-switching feature which will change from red to gold at varying angles.

 

whitey
Level:

kcyjason
Level:

amencorner
Level:

iqra786
Level:

azzmania
Level:

praveen11
Level: