Sarawak coin history

4 19
Coat of arms of the Brooke family

A 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, they 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 a victory. Sir James Brooke was rewarded with the 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 develops 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

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's 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 was struck, bearing the portraits of Sir James Brooke. From 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. From 1892 to 1897, a new copper coin of 1 cent was struck bearing a smaller portrait 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 from 1920 to 1934, followed by the new bronze coins of 1 cent 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.

James Brooke, Rajah, 1841-1868

Charles J. Brooke, Rajah, 1868-1917


Charles V. Brooke, Rajah, 1917-1946

Can only show 1 cent coin for now, because if I show the other coin, this page will be dam long.


1
$ 0.00
Sponsors of hooiyewlim
empty
empty
empty

Comments

Your narration is highly app

$ 0.00
4 years ago

Your narration is highly appreciated. It is interesting and factual. Thanks a lot.

$ 0.00
4 years ago

you are welcome

$ 0.00
4 years ago

It is nice to have you on read.cash. Your work is highly recognized. Keep giving us good articles. Thanks.

$ 0.00
4 years ago

You're not just a numismatist. You have a good knowledge of Southeast Asian history. Good job. Keep up the good work. I like your articles more and more.

$ 0.00
4 years ago

i personally love history myself. Just that to earn money by history. The numismatic field is the best option. Because in Malaysia, even the history of education got too much political interference from the government, for example, the Hang Tuah story. The Hang Tuah is a local Malay famous folklore, but it was removed from textbooks due to the possibility that he is Chinese. It is better for me to go to the private sector. To do this field, it is important to understand the history so that you can understand why certain coin is in this condition. There is a lot of scammers out there spreading nonsense.

$ 0.00
4 years ago