Brunei is an independent Islamic sultanate located on the northern coast of Borneo in Southeast Asia. It is officially known as the Nation of Brunei, the Abode of Peace (Negara Brunei Darussalam). The nation is bordered by South China Sea on the north and surrounded by the Malaysian state of Sarawak. Brunei was a British protectorate until it achieved independence in 1984. Currently, Brunei is a member of the Commonwealth and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Because of the currency interchangeability agreement between Singapore and Brunei, the currency of Brunei uses the ringgit which is exchangeable with the dollar. In fact, both currencies are featured on Brunei banknotes. Early Brunei banknotes featured the reigning monarch on the obverse side and the Omar Ali Saifuddin mosque in Bandar Seri Begawan on the reverse side. In 1985, redesigned banknotes issued by the Brunei Currency Board issued the first family of banknotes that carried the name Negara Brunei Darussalam. This series also featured a new portrait of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Waddaulah on the front and scenes from Kampong Ayer in Bandar Seri Begawan at the back. In 1996, a rainforest-themed family of banknotes were issued. Lower denominations in this family ($1, $5, and $10 notes) were also printed on polymer while larger denominations were still printed on paper. The Brunei Currency Board was renamed to the Brunei Currency and Monetary Board (BCMB) on February 1, 2004. The first family of banknotes that the BCMB issued were all printed on polymer substrate. In 2007, the BCMB released a commemorative $20 banknote to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Currency Interchangeability Agreement between Singapore and Brunei. On January 1, 2011, the Autoriti Monetari Brunei Darrussalam (Monetary Authority of Brunei) succeeded the Brunei Currency & Monetary Board. In 2017, the AMBD issued two commemorative $50 notes: one to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Currency Interchangeability Act, and the other to celebrate the golden jubilee of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzadin Waddaulah’s accession to the throne.
