The reverse design of Brunei’s 10 sen is older than the coin itself: British medallist Christopher Ironside created it for the first series of 1967, when the Brunei dollar replaced the Malaya and British Borneo dollar, and it has outlived a change of sultan and several portraits.

The reverse shows a traditional Bruneian motif with the value, the date and «KERAJAAN BRUNEI» (Sultanate of Brunei). The obverse portrays Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah in military uniform and cap with the legend «SULTAN HAJI HASSANAL BOLKIAH»; with this portrait type KM# 36 was struck from 1993 to 2016 by the Singapore Mint.

This 2005 coin has circulated, but only to VF-AU: the high points show light rubbing while the portrait, ornament and lettering stay sharp. For a collection of Brunei circulation coins it is an accessible way to own a design unchanged since the country’s first issue.

You can find companions for this coin, by series or by year of issue, in the VPcoins catalogue.