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Auction: 9019 - Banknotes & Coins of South East Asia, Featuring the Bill Christensen Sarawak Collection of Banknotes & Coins
Lot: 125

Government issue, specimen 10 cents, ND (1945), Dated ´29.8.45´ (29 August 1945) in pencil top right margin by the printer .With the tide of war turning, the British Government turned its thoughts towards the re-occupation of colonies that had 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, as in Malaya, during the War issues of small-change notes were prepared, though they may not have been printed in quantity for circulation. 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 at War´s end on the reoccupation of Malaya by the British. Accordingly a series of 1 Cent, 5 Cent, 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 this 10 Cent note, as well as the 1 Cent and 5 Cent, are all inscribed ´For the Government of Sarawak´, rather than ´Treasurer of Sarawak´ as appeared on all currency notes up to 1941. This note, together with its unique sibling 1 Cent and 5 Cent were completely unknown prior to appearing in the Spink Singapore auction of 24 June 1995, Lots 748 and 749. 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. No other examples are known of any of these three notes and this presents a unique opportunity for the Malaysia, Sarawak or regional specialist to acquire a note lacking in the collection of any other collector or institution. (Tan unlisted, C.C.Chan unlisted, Pick unlisted), a Bradbury Wilkinson printing, glue stains on reverse, pencil date 6.9.45 in top right margin and a central peforation, about extremely fine and an important note, believed to be unique Estimate S$ 15,000-20,000

Sold for
SG$550