Five Cents 1920 (Silver), Coin from Sarawak - detailed information

Silver coinage was introduced in Sarawak in 1900 with weights and fineness of the silver coins corresponding with the respective issues of Hong Kong and the Straits Settlements. In 1920 the denomination was first debased (this issue), then later the same year supplanted by copper-nickel coinage.

This is a one year only type in debased silver. Composition: 50% silver. The mass was 20.95 grains in the measurement units of the time, equal to 1.35 grammes.

These coins circulated until the Japanese occupation forces replaced them with their own invasion currency in 1942. 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.