Saturday 30 June 2018

Malaya Old Currency : 1845-1926 Straits Dollar ( King George V )


Brief History

The Straits Settlements were established in 1826 as part of the territories controlled by the British East India Company, which was based in Calcutta, India.

The Straits Settlements originally consisted of the three individual settlements of Malacca, Prince of Wales Island ( now Penang Island ) with the Province Wellesley ( now Seberang Perai ), and Singapore.

On the 1st April 1867 the Settlements became a British Crown colony, making the Settlements answerable directly to the Colonial Office in London.

The following territories were temporary incorporated in the Straits Settlement : Dinding ( 1874 -1935 ), Christmas Island ( 1900 – 1958 ), Cocos Island ( 1903 – 1955 ), and Labuan ( 1907 – 1946 ).

On the 1st April 1946, Straits Settlement was dissolved.


Coinage History

In the early 19th century, the most common currency used in the East Indies was the Spanish dollar, including issues both from Spain and from the new world Spanish colonies, most significantly Mexico. Locally issued coinages included the Kelantan and Trengganu keping, and the Penang dollar.

In 1837, the Indian rupee was made the sole official currency in the Straits Settlements, as it was administered as part of India. However, Spanish dollars continued to circulate and 1845 saw the introduction of coinage for the Straits Settlements using a system of 100 cents = 1 dollar.   

In 1867, administration of the Straits Settlements was separated from India and the dollar was made the standard currency.



King George V

“George V, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, Ireland and the British Dominions beyond the Seas, King, Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India”
George V, Dei Gratia Britanniarum et terrarum transmarinarum quae in ditione sunt Britannica Rex, Fidei Defensor, Indiae Imperator

George V (George Frederick Ernest Albert; 3 June 1865 – 20 January 1936) was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India, from 6 May 1910 until his death in 20 January 1936.





 



Year Minted
Value
Metal
Weight
Diameter
1916
¼c
Bronze
2.33g
18.0mm
1916
½c
Bronze
4.66g
23.0mm
1932
½c
Bronze
2.91g
18.5mm
1919-1926
1c
Bronze
5.85g
21.5mm
1918-1920
5c
Silver 0.4
1.36g
16.0mm
1920
5c
Co-ni
4.0g
20.0mm
1926-1935
5c
Silver 0.6
1.35g
16.0mm
1916-1927
10c
Silver 0.6
2.71g
18.0mm
1918-1920
10c
Silver 0.4
2.71g
18.0mm
1926-1927
10c
Silver 0.6
2.71g
18.0mm
1916-1917
20c
Silver 0.6
5.43g
23.8mm
1919
20c
Silver 0.4
5.43g
23.8mm
1926-1935
20c
Silver 0.6
5.43g
23.8mm
1920-1921
50c
Silver 0.5
8.42g
28.5mm
1919-1926
$1
Silver 0.5
16.85g
 34.1mm



 ¼¢
 ½¢
10¢
20¢
50¢
$1
1916








1917








1918








1919








1920









1921








1926








1927







1932








1935