Malaysia Commemorative Coins 1977 : 100th Year of Rubber

Brief History

Rubber was introduced by British colonists to Singapore in 1877 via Brazil, Kew Gardens in London and Sri Lanka. Within a decade after it was introduced, planters in remote parts of Southeast Asia planted rubber trees in their cultivated plots. Malaysia had an ideal climate, soil for rubber and plenty of land. Production increased dramatically after the 1890s when there was a huge surge in demand for rubber. For many years rubber along with tin were Malaysia’s primary exports.

By the 1930s, Malaysia produced half of the world’s rubber. Many of the Chinese and Indians that live in Malaysia today are descendants of laborers brought to work on the rubber plantations. For the most part the plantations were owned by European owners. They helped transform Malaysia into Britain’s richest colony. After independence, many of the plantations were turned over to Malaysian hands and some were converted to palm oil plantations.

Description

Observe :

Logo celebration of 100 Years of Natural Rubber in Malaysia ; a pair of hand tapping rubber trees ; rubber molecule ; and a globe background.

Reserve :

Lettering “$1 | 1877-1977” surrounded by “SERATUS TAHUN GETAH ASLI  | MALAYSIA”

Edge :

Inscribed “BANK NEGARA MALAYSIA”

Year Minted	1977
Face Value	$1
Metal	Copper-Nickel
Weight	16.8g
Diameter	33.5mm
Thickness	3mm
Mintage	500,000