Best Places To Buy Singapore-Brunei Commemorative Coins And Notes

The Singapore-Brunei Currency Interchangeability Agreement is a 50-year agreement between the two countries, allowing their currencies to be used interchangeably in both countries. To commemorate the 50th anniversary of this agreement, Singapore and Brunei jointly released commemorative S$50 and B$50 notes. These notes were launched by Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the Istana during the Sultan's state visit to Singapore. Designed by renowned artists from both countries, the notes feature the Simpur, a prominent flower in Brunei, and Singapore's national flower, the Vanda Miss Joaquim. The notes were available for exchange at banks in Singapore and Brunei, with a maximum of five sets and ten S$50 notes exchangeable per transaction.

Commemorative S$50 and B$50 notes

The commemorative S$50 and B$50 notes were launched in 2017 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Singapore-Brunei Currency Interchangeability Agreement. The Currency Interchangeability Agreement, established in 1967, is the only such arrangement in Asia. Under the agreement, the Autoriti Monetari Brunei Darussalam (AMBD) and the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) accept each other's currency at a par exchange rate.

The S$50 and B$50 commemorative notes were jointly launched by Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the Istana during the Sultan's state visit to Singapore. The notes were designed by Brunei artist Abdul Ajihis Haji Terawih and Singaporean artists Eng Siak Loy and his son, Weng Ziyan. The artists discussed their designs, which feature the same elements and layout, online via Skype.

The front of the notes depicts the 50th anniversary logo of the agreement, featuring the Simpur, a prominent flower found in Brunei, and the Vanda Miss Joaquim, Singapore's national flower. The flowers are in full bloom, symbolising the flourishing friendship between the two countries. The back of the notes reflects the close ties between the two countries in the areas of defence, tourism and education.

One million B$50 and two million S$50 commemorative notes were made available for exchange at face value in banks in Singapore and Brunei. Banks in both countries distributed sets of two $50 commemorative polymer notes, one B$50 and one S$50, accompanied by a complimentary folder. In Singapore, the participating banks were DBS, OCBC, UOB, Maybank, Standard Chartered Bank, HSBC, Citibank, Bank of China and Industrial and Commercial Bank of China. A maximum of five sets of notes and 10 pieces of S$50 commemorative notes could be exchanged per transaction.

In addition to the notes available for exchange in banks, an exclusive collection of five types of limited-edition numismatic note sets was available for sale on The Singapore Mint website.

50th anniversary of the Singapore-Brunei Currency Interchangeability Agreement

On 5 July 2017, Singapore and Brunei celebrated the 50th anniversary of their Currency Interchangeability Agreement. To commemorate the occasion, Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei and Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong launched a set of two $50 commemorative polymer notes, one from each country. These notes were jointly designed by Mr Abdul Ajihis Haji Terawih from Brunei and Mr Eng Siak Loy and Mr Weng Ziyan from Singapore.

The front of the notes features the 50th-anniversary logo of the Agreement, the Simpur flower from Brunei, and the Vanda Miss Joaquim, Singapore's national flower. Both flowers are depicted in full bloom, symbolising the flourishing friendship between the two nations. The back of the notes reflects the close ties between the countries in various areas, including defence, education, and tourism.

One million pieces of Brunei $50 and two million pieces of Singapore $50 commemorative notes were made available for public exchange at face value. Banks in both countries co-distributed a set of two commemorative notes, accompanied by a complimentary folder. In Singapore, nine retail banks participated in the exchange: DBS, OCBC, UOB, Maybank, Standard Chartered Bank, HSBC, Citibank, Bank of China, and the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China.

In addition to the commemorative notes, an exclusive collection of five types of limited-edition numismatic note sets was also available for sale through The Singapore Mint. These sets included identical numbered notes, uncut sheets, and notes with special prefixes.

Collectors can find these commemorative notes and sets available for purchase or exchange on websites such as eBay and Carousell Singapore, offering a chance to own a piece of the two countries' shared history and celebration of their enduring friendship and financial cooperation.

Commemorative note sets on The Singapore Mint website

The Singapore Mint website offers an exclusive collection of five types of limited-edition note sets to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Singapore-Brunei Currency Interchangeability Agreement. The agreement, established in 1967, is a testament to the enduring relationship between the two nations, facilitating trade and financial relations.

The commemorative note sets available on The Singapore Mint website include:

• The Singapore-Brunei $50 Note Set: This set comprises one B$50 note and one S$50 note, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Currency Interchangeability Agreement. The notes feature a similar design, showcasing the Simpur flower, found in Brunei, and Singapore's national flower, the Vanda Miss Joaquim, in full bloom. The yellowish-gold colour of the notes symbolises the 50 years of collaboration between the two countries.
• The Singapore-Brunei Commemorative Folder: This folder accompanies the $50 note set and adds a collectible aspect to the commemorative notes. It serves as a memento of the historic agreement and the strong ties between Singapore and Brunei.
• The Limited-Edition Note Sets: While the exact details of these sets are not mentioned, they are described as limited-edition, indicating a limited supply or release. These sets likely include a combination of commemorative notes and exclusive collectibles related to the Singapore-Brunei Currency Interchangeability Agreement.
• The Artist-Designed Notes: Brunei artist Abdul Ajihis Haji Terawih and Singaporean artists Eng Siak Loy and his son Weng Ziyan collaboratively designed these notes. Abdul Ajihis, a renowned oil painter and stamp designer in Brunei, contributed his artistic expertise to his first note design for the country. Meanwhile, Eng Siak Loy is known for designing Singapore's longest-running currency series, the portrait series. Their creative input adds a unique dimension to these commemorative note sets.

The availability of these commemorative note sets on The Singapore Mint website provides collectors and enthusiasts with a unique opportunity to own a piece of history, celebrating the strong relationship and collaboration between Singapore and Brunei.

Participating banks in Singapore

The Singapore-Brunei Currency Interchangeability Agreement is a testament to the enduring relationship between the two countries. To commemorate its 50th anniversary, commemorative S$50 and B$50 notes were launched in 2017 by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah. These notes were designed to celebrate the flourishing ties between Singapore and Brunei, featuring symbolic elements chosen by renowned artists from both countries.

The participating banks in Singapore that distributed these commemorative notes include:

DBS

DBS, formally known as the Development Bank of Singapore, is a leading financial services group in the region. With a presence in 18 markets, DBS has built a strong foundation in Singapore and expanded its reach across Asia. The bank offers a comprehensive range of services, including consumer banking, wealth management, and investment banking.

OCBC

OCBC, or the Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation, is not just one of Singapore's largest banks but also one of the world's most highly-rated banks. With a global presence across 18 countries, OCBC provides a diverse range of financial services, including consumer, corporate, and investment banking, treasury, and insurance.

UOB

United Overseas Bank, more commonly known as UOB, is a leading bank in Asia with a global network spanning 50 markets. UOB provides a comprehensive range of financial services, including corporate and institutional banking, wealth management, and transaction banking. The bank has a strong focus on digital innovation, aiming to deliver seamless banking experiences to its customers.

Maybank

Maybank, short for Malayan Banking Berhad, is one of the largest banks in Southeast Asia, with a presence in 18 countries. In Singapore, Maybank offers a wide range of financial products and services, including consumer and community banking, investment banking, and Islamic banking. The bank has a strong commitment to sustainability and community development.

Standard Chartered Bank

Standard Chartered is an international bank with a presence in over 60 markets, including Singapore. The bank has a rich history in the region, having operated in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East for over 150 years. Standard Chartered offers a diverse range of financial services, including corporate and institutional banking, wealth management, and trade finance.

HSBC

HSBC, the largest banking and financial services institution in Europe, has a strong presence in Singapore. With a history dating back to 1877 in the country, HSBC Singapore offers a comprehensive range of financial products and services, including retail banking, wealth management, commercial banking, and global banking and markets.

Citibank

Citibank, the consumer banking arm of financial services giant Citigroup, has a global presence, including a strong foothold in Singapore. The bank offers a wide range of financial products and services, including credit cards, personal loans, wealth management, and insurance. Citibank is known for its digital innovation, providing convenient and secure banking experiences to its customers.

Bank of China

Bank of China, one of the largest state-owned commercial banks in China, has expanded its global presence to include Singapore. The bank offers a comprehensive range of financial services, including corporate banking, personal banking, and treasury services. With a commitment to supporting cross-border trade and investment, Bank of China facilitates economic cooperation between Singapore and China.

Industrial and Commercial Bank of China

The Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) is one of the world's largest banks by total assets. With a presence in Singapore, ICBC offers a wide range of financial services, including corporate banking, investment banking, financial markets, and asset management. The bank has a strong focus on digital innovation and provides convenient banking services to its customers.

Limited-edition note sets

An exclusive collection of five types of limited-edition note sets was available for sale on The Singapore Mint website to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Singapore-Brunei Currency Interchangeability Agreement.

The sets included:

• Commemorative S$50 and B$50 notes, with a folder.
• B$50 Commemorative Polymer Note, with a folder, in conjunction with the Golden Jubilee Celebration of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam Accession to the throne.
• Uncut Currency Interchangeability Agreement (CIA) B$50 Polymer Notes, with a folder, in a set of 8 or 40 notes.
• Singapore and Brunei Commemorative S$50 and B$50 notes, with a folder.
• Singapore 20 Dollars Commemorative Bicentennial P-63 1819-2019, with a folder.

The limited-edition notes were jointly designed by Brunei artist Abdul Ajihis Haji Terawih and Singaporean artists Eng Siak Loy and his son Weng Ziyan. The notes feature the same design elements and layout, including the 50th anniversary logo of the agreement, the Simpur flower, and Singapore's national flower, the Vanda Miss Joaquim, on the front. The back of the notes includes drawings reflecting themes of defence, tourism, and education—areas of close cooperation between the two countries.

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