One Cent, Coin Type from North Borneo - detailed information

One Cent, Coin Type from North Borneo (issued 1882 - 1941)
Coin TypeOne Cent

The British North Borneo Company had the right to produce coin under its Royal Charter, granted in 1881. It had 1 cent coins struck in England from 1882 and 1/2 cent pieces from 1885. These coins were linked to the silver dollar as used in the Straits Settlement and Hong Kong. In 1904 the Company moved from the use of bronze to copper-nickel for the 1 cent.

The one cent coin was struck in copper (or bronze according to some sources) between 1882 and 1907, and cupro-nickel from 1904 to 1941.

The last 1 cent coins were issued in 1941, with the Japanese invasion in 1942 ending the series. The occupation until 1945 ended the Company's control. The area became a British Colony after liberation.

The currency of the British North Borneo Company was demonetized on 1st September 1953, after which date the currency of the Board of Commissioners of Currency Malaya and British Borneo became sole legal tender. The latter was gradually replaced by the coinage issued by Bank Negara Malaysia which was introduced in Sabah in 1967 and finally became sole legal tender on 16th January 1969.

Obverse

The Coat of Arms of the British North Borneo Chartered Company; on a shield, a lion above a dhow (native boat) with sails; the shield is supported by two native warriors, one holding a shield, the other a large native sword or machete; the crest, two arms holding a flag staff; below on ribbon the motto PERGO ET PERAGO (translation: I undertake and I achieve); below, the date; the mint mark (H for The Mint Birmingham Limited, known as Ralph Heaton and Sons Limited before 1879) is above the date.

Copper-nickel cents (after 1904) do not show the date on the obverse. There was also an aluminum pattern issued before 1882 with no date on either side.

Obverse Inscription [year]
Reverse

Copper coins:
Within a laurel wreath, ONE CENT; above and below the denomination it is repeated in Chinese characters; below the wreath the denomination in Malay; around above, BRITISH NORTH BORNEO Co.

Copper-nickel cents (after 1904) have within a circle of beads, 1 / CENT; around, STATE OF NORTH BORNEO · year] ·

Reverse Inscription
EdgePlainEdge InscriptionNone
Notes

References to additional information:

[Book] Atkins, James. 1889. The Coins and Tokens of the Possessions and Colonies of the British Empire. p 231.
[Book] Kavanagh, Kevin F. 1969. The Coins of Malaysia, pp 61-64.
[Book] Remick, Jerome. 1971. The Guide Book and Catalogue of British Commonwealth Coins, pp 82-85.
[Book] Saran, Singh. The Encyclopaedia of the Coins of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei, 1400-1967. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Malaysia Numismatic Society, 1986. pp 373-411.

Coin Type: One Cent - (17) Coins
Coin NameReverseObverseIn my collection(s)
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One Cent: Details
CountryNorth Borneo
CurrencyBritish North Borneo Dollar
Sub-types One Cent (Copper)
One Cent (CuproNickel)
From1882
To1941
Face Value1 (x Cent)
CurrentNo (demonetised 1953)
Material
Designer
TechnologyMilled (machine-made)
ShapeRound
Size
Mass
One Cent: Photos
ImageDetails
One Cent: Photo Coin - 1 Cent, British North Borneo Company, 1887 Coin - 1 Cent, British North Borneo Company, 1887
Copyright: Museums Victoria / CC BY
Author:
Notes: Bronze one cent, reverse (1882 - 1907).
Source
One Cent: Photo Coin - 1 Cent, North Borneo, 1941 Coin - 1 Cent, North Borneo, 1941
Copyright: Museums Victoria / CC BY
Author:
Notes: Copper-nickel one cent, reverse (1904 - 1941).
Source
One Cent: Photo Coin - 1 Cent, British North Borneo Company, 1887 Coin - 1 Cent, British North Borneo Company, 1887
Copyright: Museums Victoria / CC BY
Author:
Notes: Bronze one cent, obverse (1882 - 1907).
Source
One Cent: Photo Coin - 1 Cent, North Borneo, 1941 Coin - 1 Cent, North Borneo, 1941
Copyright: Museums Victoria / CC BY
Author:
Notes: Copper-nickel one cent, obverse (1904 - 1941).
Source