Silver coinage was introduced in Sarawak in 1900. The weights and fineness of the silver coins of Rajah Charles Brooke corresponded with the respective issues of Hong Kong and the Straits Settlements. In 1927 though, the denomination had its weight reduced and the metal debased.
This is the last year when the fifty cent denomination was issued. These coins circulated for 15 years until the Japanese occupation forces replaced them with their own invasion currency in 1942. During World War II, the occupiers melted down most of the silver coinage they could find. Much of the silver coming now on the market was used as ornaments. In some cases coins may have been buried with the dead and show small solder marks or (filled) holes. The coins were coated with a purple die when buried with the dead.
After the war, Sarawak did not regain independence and eventually became one of the states forming the Federation of Malaysia. Its coinage was formally demonetised in 1953. |