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 1^st 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 1^st April 1946, Straits Settlement was dissolved.

Coinage History

In the early 19^th 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¢	1¢	5¢		10¢	20¢	50¢	$1
1916
1917
1918
1919
1920
1921
1926
1927						√
1932
1935