
The Straits dollar has a rich history that's worth exploring. It was first introduced in 1898 as a currency for the British Straits Settlements, which included Singapore, Malacca, and Penang.
The Straits dollar was pegged to the British pound at a fixed rate, which remained unchanged for over 40 years. This stability made it a trusted currency in the region.
The Straits dollar was widely used in trade and commerce, and its value was closely tied to the British pound. This meant that any fluctuations in the pound's value would also affect the Straits dollar.
History of Straits Dollar
The Straits dollar was first issued in 1903 by the board, valued at par with the British trade dollar and demonetizing other silver dollars.
In 1906, the Straits dollar was pegged to two shillings four pence sterling, which was on a gold standard at the time.
This pegging to sterling had a lasting impact on the Straits dollar's value, and it remained tied to sterling until significant changes occurred in 1931.
Introduction to Straits Dollar
The Straits dollar was first introduced in 1903, valued at par with the British trade dollar. It was a significant development in the region's currency history.
In 1906, the Straits dollar was pegged to two shillings four pence sterling, which was a key decision at the time. This pegging had a lasting impact on the currency's value.
The Straits dollar was pegged to sterling, which was then on a gold standard. This meant that the Straits dollar's value was indirectly tied to gold.
In 1931, the sterling was taken off the gold standard, putting the Straits dollar on a sterling-exchange standard. This change had significant effects on the currency's value and stability.
Timeline of Events
The Straits Dollar has a rich history that spans over a century. It was first introduced in 1898 as a currency for the Straits Settlements, which consisted of Singapore, Malacca, and Penang.
The Straits Dollar was pegged to the British pound at a fixed rate of 1 British pound to 1 Straits dollar, and it remained that way until 1939.
In 1939, the Straits Dollar was devalued by 20% due to the outbreak of World War II.
The Straits Dollar continued to circulate until 1942, when the Japanese occupied the Straits Settlements and introduced their own currency, the Malayan dollar.
After World War II, the Straits Dollar was reintroduced in 1946, but it was eventually replaced by the Malayan dollar in 1953.
The Malayan dollar was later replaced by the Malaysian dollar in 1967, and the Straits Dollar ceased to exist as a separate currency.
Straits Dollar Details
The Straits dollar was first introduced in 1898 as the official currency of the Straits Settlements, a British colony that consisted of Singapore, Malacca, and Penang.
It was initially pegged to the British pound at a rate of 1 pound to 2 Straits dollars.
The Straits dollar was made up of 12 annas, with each anna being equivalent to 1/16 of a Straits dollar.
The Straits dollar was widely used in trade and commerce in the region, and it was also used as a store of value by many people.
The Straits dollar was eventually replaced by the Malayan dollar in 1939, and later by the Malaysian ringgit in 1967.
Replacement and Banknotes
The Straits dollar had its fair share of replacement and banknotes throughout its history. The Board of Commissioners of Currency introduced 5 and 10 dollar notes in 1898.
These initial notes were followed by 50 and 100 dollar notes in 1901. Emergency issues of 10 and 25 cents were made between 1917 and 1920.
Replacement of Straits Dollar
The Straits dollar was replaced at par by the Malayan dollar in 1939. This marked a significant change in the currency system.
Brunei and Singapore acknowledged the successor to this currency unit, although Malaysia rescinded in 1973. A memorandum of understanding, the Currency Interchangeability Agreement, was signed between Brunei and Singapore, making both Brunei dollar and Singapore dollar banknotes and coins legal tender vice versa in each other's country.
The Straits dollar was pegged to two shillings four pence sterling in 1906, which was in turn on a gold standard at the time. This exchange rate remained in place until significant changes occurred in the currency system.
Banknotes Issued
The Straits Settlements government introduced the first dollar-sized coin in silver in 1903, but it was later demonetized by 1904 due to a steep rise in the price of silver.
The Straits dollar was replaced by a coin of lower silver content, and to address a shortage of coin, the government introduced the one-dollar note in 1906, which was printed by Thomas de la Rue & Co. Ltd.
The one-dollar note was so popular that it became the standard unit of value, replacing the need for the silver coin. The Straits Settlements government also introduced five-dollar and ten-dollar notes, both dated 8 June 1909, which were also printed by Thomas de la Rue & Co. Ltd.
Here's a list of the banknotes issued by the Straits Settlements government:
The Straits Settlements government also introduced 1000 dollar notes in 1930, but later only issued 1, 5, and 10 dollar notes.
Government Issues
The Straits dollar has a rich history, but have you ever wondered how it fits into the Singaporean government's financial landscape? The government's management of the Straits dollar is a crucial aspect of the country's economy.
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) is responsible for regulating the Straits dollar, ensuring its stability and value. The MAS works closely with the government to implement monetary policies that promote economic growth and stability.
In 1963, the government decided to peg the Straits dollar to the British pound, which was a significant move to stabilize the currency.
Government Issues (1899–1942)
The Straits Settlements government issued its own currency from 1899 to 1942, with a unique one-dollar coin minted in 1903. This coin was made of silver and was the standard unit of value.
The government had to replace the first issue of the Straits dollar due to a steep rise in the price of silver, which forced them to call in the coins and replace them with ones of lower silver content. The one-dollar note was introduced to address the shortage of coins.
The one-dollar note was fixed at an exchange rate against gold instead of silver, and the British gold sovereign was declared legal tender. This led to the Straits dollar being given an arbitrary value of two shillings and four pence sterling.

The one-dollar note proved so popular that it was retained in all future issues, replacing the need for the silver coin. By the end of 1906, the currency circulation had risen to $21,866,142.
The one-dollar notes were printed by the London firm of Thomas de la Rue & Co. Ltd, and the Chinese text on top of the banknote reads: 叻嶼呷國庫銀票, which is roughly equivalent to "banknote of the Straits Settlements".
Other Government Issues
One government issue that often gets overlooked is the lack of transparency in government spending. The government has been criticized for not providing clear and detailed information about how taxpayer dollars are being used.
The Freedom of Information Act, which was passed in 1966, is supposed to ensure that citizens have access to government records. However, many government agencies have been slow to comply with the law, making it difficult for citizens to get the information they need.

The government's failure to provide accurate and timely information has been a major issue in recent years. In 2019, a report found that 75% of government agencies were not meeting the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act.
Citizens have a right to know how their tax dollars are being spent. By making government spending more transparent, citizens can hold their elected officials accountable for their actions.
Features and Specifications
The Straits dollar was issued by the Straits Settlements, a British colony in Malaysia, from 1907 to 1909. This coin was minted during the reign of King Edward VII.
Here are some key features of the Straits dollar:
The Straits dollar was a standard circulation coin, with a round shape and a milled technique.
Features and Characteristics
The Straits Settlements 1 Dollar coin has some interesting features and characteristics. It was issued by the Straits Settlements, a British colony in Malaysia.
The coin features a portrait of King Edward VII, who reigned from 1901 to 1910. He was a significant figure in British history, and his image appears on various coins from that era.

The coin is made of silver, with a composition of .900, which means it's 90% silver. This is a relatively high silver content, especially for a coin from that time period.
Here are the key specifications of the coin:
The coin has a round shape and a milled edge, which gives it a distinctive look. It's also worth noting that the coin was demonetized on December 31, 1952, which means it's no longer a circulating currency.
Security Features
The security features of this device are top-notch. It has a robust firewall that detects and blocks malicious activity in real-time.
The firewall is supported by regular software updates that ensure the latest security patches are applied. This means you can trust that your data is protected from the latest threats.
In addition to the firewall, the device also features encryption, which scrambles your data so it can't be read by unauthorized parties. This is especially important when using public Wi-Fi networks.
The device's secure boot process ensures that only authorized software can run on the device, preventing malware from taking hold.
Straits Settlements and Economy
The Straits Settlements, a British colony established in 1826, played a significant role in the introduction of the Straits dollar. The colony consisted of four main islands: Singapore, Malacca, Penang, and Labuan.
The Straits Settlements was a major trading hub, with merchants from all over the world conducting business there. Its strategic location made it an ideal place for trade and commerce to flourish.
The colony's economy was driven by trade, with the Straits dollar being a key component of the financial system. The Straits dollar was pegged to the British pound at a fixed exchange rate, which helped to stabilize the economy.
Straits Settlements
The Straits Settlements was a British colonial entity that existed from 1826 to 1946, comprising four British Straits Settlements: Malacca, Penang, Singapore, and Dinding.
It was established to strengthen British control over the Malay Archipelago and the Strait of Malacca, a crucial shipping route.
The Straits Settlements was a significant economic hub, with Singapore emerging as a major commercial center.
In 1867, the British government passed the Straits Settlements Act, which granted the Settlements a degree of autonomy.
This led to the growth of trade and commerce in the region, with the Straits Settlements becoming a key player in the global economy.
The Settlements' strategic location allowed it to serve as a major entrepot, or trading center, for the region.
Economic Impact
The Straits Settlements had a significant economic impact on the region. It was a major trading hub, with the port of Singapore being one of the busiest in the world.
The colony's strategic location facilitated trade between the East and West, with merchants from all over the world coming to buy and sell goods. The port's high volume of trade generated substantial revenue for the government.
The Straits Settlements' economy was largely driven by the tin mining industry, with Malaya producing over 40% of the world's tin in the early 20th century. Tin mining was a major source of employment and income for many people in the region.
The colony's economy was also influenced by the growth of the rubber industry, with rubber becoming a major export commodity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Straits Settlement coin?
A Straits Settlement coin is a type of coin minted by Great Britain for use in the Straits Settlements, a crown colony established in 1867. This rare coin, like the one cent example, was used in the amalgamated settlements of Penang, Singapore, and the Malacca Straits.
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Straits_dollar
- https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces12779.html
- https://www.banknoteworld.org/straits-settlements/
- https://www.baldwin.co.uk/product/straits-settlements-edward-vii-1901-1910-silver-dollar-1907-2/
- https://www.greysheet.com/coin-prices/item/1st-september-1927-sig-16-mclean-prefix-l-20-m-55/137361
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