Sarawak Oldest banknotes

Sarawak located at Borneo Island is one of the two Malaysian states in East Malaysia. It was once governed by the Brunei Sultanate in the early of 19th century. Upon arrival of Sir James Brooke in Sarawak, he was appointed as Rajah (Ruler) of Sarawak by Sultan of Brunei and he founded the White Rajah Dynasty of Sarawak.

The earliest banknote issued by Sarawak State was by the Sarawak Government Treasury between 1894 and 1917. They carried portrait of Sir Charles Johnson Brooke, 2nd White Rajah of Sarawak whom succeeded from his uncle, Sir James Brooke. The subsequent same notes which also issued the Sarawak Government Treasury between 1919 and 1922 were carried portrait of Sir Charles Vyner Brooke, son of Sir Charles Johnson Brooke and also the 3rd White Rajah of Sarawak.

In 1929, the Government of Sarawak issued a new type of notes to replace those notes issued by Sarawak Government Treasury. These new notes carried the portrait of Sir Charles Vyner Brooke. The Sarawak notes were issued in denomination of $1, $5, $10, $25, $50 and $100. They continued to be legal tender until Japanese Occupation in 1942.

Sarawak 1 Dollar

The $1 Sarawak note was printed by Bradbury Wilkinson & Co. Ltd London in 1/7/1929, 1/1/1935 and 1/1/1940. THE FRONT features portrait of Sir Charles Vyner Brooke. Notice that Chinese and Jawi languages were used to describe one dollar. THE BACK features emblem of Sarawak state. Malay language "satu" was written on the right side of the note that carried the meaning of one dollar.

Sarawak 5 Dollars

The $5 Sarawak note was printed by Bradbury Wilkinson & Co. Ltd London in 1/7/1929 and 1/1/1938. THE FRONT features portrait of Sir Charles Vyner Brooke. The Jawi and Chinese languages which describing the value of five dollars were printed on the left and right side on the top of the note. THE BACK features handcraft of Sarawak's native.

Sarawak 10 Dollars

The $10 Sarawak note was printed by Bradbury Wilkinson & Co. Ltd London in 1/7/1929, 1/6/1937 and 1/1/1940. THE FRONT features portrait of Sir Charles Vyner Brooke. THE BACK features an administrative building by Sarawak Government.

Sarawak 50 Dollars

The $10 Sarawak note was printed by Bradbury Wilkinson & Co. Ltd London in 1/7/1929. THE FRONT features portrait of Sir Charles Vyner Brooke. THE BACK features handcraft of Sarawak native.