Sarawak coin history

hooiyewlim (68)in #numismatic • 8 years ago (edited)

Coat of arms of the Brooke family

Brief history of Sarawak

In the 16th-century, the Sultanate of Brunei expanded his control over the Borneo state, including the coastal area of Sarawak. Pengiran Mahkota represented the Sultanate of Brunei in managing Sarawak. The Sultanate of Brunei ordered the local residents to submit tax. All commodities were not allowed to be traded freely, instead were submitted to the Sultanate which made a great fortune out of these items. Finally in 1837, the local people refused to pay the heavy tax and rebelled against the Sultanate's government. Pengiran Muda Hashim was ordered to suppress the rebellion but failed to do so. In 1840, he sought the help of Sir James Brooke and gained victory. Sir James Brooke was rewarded with sizable territory and was installed as "White Rajah of Sarawak" in 1841. Between 1853-1905, Sir James Brooke manage to suppress more rebellion and his territory rapidly develop to the size of present day Sarawak state. In 1941 Japan invaded Sarawak, occupied Miri on 16th December, Kuching on the 27 December, and took over control of Sibu on 27th December. They remained under Japanese rule for a total of 3 years and 8 months. Not long after the Invasion, Charles Vyner Brooke found himself unable to manage Sarawak, and finally ceded sovereignty to the British empire on 8th December 1946. On 16th September 1963, it became a state of the federation of Malaysia, despite opposition from parts of the population.

1247 (1831) 1 Keping - James Brooke Rajah

Front	Back

The Brooke family issued their first coinage in 1842. This was a copper token bearing the date "SEPT 24 1841" of Jame Brooke who became the White Rajah. It ialso included a badger/brock derived from the crest of Brooke arms, with an initial of "J.B."(James Brooke), while on the reverse was the Arabic inscription "Satu Keping" (one piece) and the date 1247A.H.(the year of 1831).

Later in 1863, copper coin of 1/4, 1/2 and 1 Cent coins were struck, bearing the portraits of Sir James Brooke. In 1870 to 1897, copper coin of 1/4. 1/2, 1 cent were struck bearing the portrait of Sir Charles Johnson Brooke. However export of the coins was forbidden in 1891. Since 1892 to 1897, a new copper coin of 1 cent was struck bearing a smaller portraits of Rajah and had a hole in the center . Coins of 1 , 5 & 10 cents bearing the portraits of Sir Charles Vyner Brooker were issued during 1920 to 1934, followed by the new bronze coins of 1 cent in between 1927 to 1941 and 1/2 cent coin in 1933. Silver coins of 5, 10 & 20 were issued in 1920, followed by 20 & 50 cents in 1927.