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Auction: 366 - World Banknotes NYINC - Conducted behind closed doors
Lot: 170

Government of Sarawak 'Liberation note issue', a uniface specimen 1 cent, ND (ca 1945), purple-brown and pink, value at left, arms at right.
Towards the end of the War when it became clear the tide of conflict was turning in the Allies favour the British Government began to turn its thoughts towards the re-occupation of the colonies that had previously been under Japanese control.
Unlike Malaya where coins had been minted and stockpiled during the war, no coinage was struck for Sarawak after 1941. However in Malaya an issue of small change notes was mooted although quite possibly none were printed in any quantity. Collectors are referred to Tan, MUP 18 and 19 for examples of the Malaya proposed 1944 dated 1 Cent and 5 Cents notes to be issued in Malaya upon the resumption of British rule after the removal of Japanese forces.
It was also proposed that an issue of small change notes for Sarawak would be required and accordingly a series of small change currency notes comprising 1, 5 and 10 cents notes were designed and printed by Bradbury Wilkinson in the UK. It is almost certain that these notes were never printed in any quantity and the issue was never put into circulation. As a point of interest all Sarawak notes up until 1941 were issued by the Treasury in Sarawak, this small change issue was to be issued under the aegis of the Sarawak Government. Charles Vyner Brooke 'the White Rajah' also recognized that he lacked the resources to rebuild Sarawak post war and ceded Sarawak to Great Britain as a Crown Colony.

Accordingly a series of 1, 5 and 10 Cent notes were being prepared for Sarawak during the final days of the Pacific War. These could be quickly and inexpensively printed and shipped to Sarawak after approval. However, it is likely that they were never printed in quantity for circulation, and it is clear that none of these could have been issued; and with the handover of Sarawak soon afterward to the British Government the project would have been terminated.
Note that with this 1, 5 and 10 cents, all inscribed "For the Government of Sarawak", rather than "Treasurer of Sarawak" as appeared on all currency notes up to 1941. This set were completely unknown prior to appearing in the Spink Singapore auction of 24 June 1995.

These notes were lacking in the most important collection of regional notes formed to date, that of Dr. Chan Chin Cheung, which was published in 1991 and also in the reference collection of Steven Tan sold by Spink in auction in July 2008.

This presents a unique opportunity for the Malaysia, Sarawak or regional specialist to acquire a set of notes lacking in the collection of any other collector or institution.
(TBB B219, Pick unlisted, Goon unlisted, Tan unlisted), in PMG holder 55 About Uncirculated. A Bradbury Wilkinson printing, pencil date 6.9.45 in top right margin and a central perforation. An important note, extremely rare

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Sold for
£5,500

Starting price
£4500