1980 Brunei 1 Dollar – Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah & Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque | P‑6b
The 1980 Brunei 1 Dollar (P‑6b) is a beautifully engraved pre‑modern Brunei banknote featuring Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and the iconic Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, one of Southeast Asia’s most celebrated Islamic landmarks. Printed by Bradbury Wilkinson & Co., this note represents Brunei’s early post‑independence identity and remains a popular collectible for its colour, design quality, and royal portrait.
Historical Context
Issued during the early reign of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, this note belongs to the 1972–1988 ringgit/dollar series. Key contextual points:
Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah is the 29th Sultan of Brunei, one of the world’s last absolute monarchs.
The note predates Brunei’s full modernisation era and reflects the nation’s growing wealth from oil and gas.
The reverse features the Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, completed in 1958 and considered one of the most beautiful mosques in the Asia‑Pacific region.
Printed by Bradbury Wilkinson, known for high‑quality engraved banknotes.
This series is now demonetized, replaced by later polymer issues.
Collectors value this note for its royal portrait, architectural reverse, and classic British‑engraved style.
Key Features & Specifications
Issuer: Brunei
Issuing Authority: Government of Brunei (Kerajaan Brunei)
Sultan: Hassanal Bolkiah (1967–present)
Type: Standard circulation banknote
Years of Issue: 1972–1988
Year: 1980
Value: 1 Dollar (1 Ringgit)
Currency: Brunei Dollar (1967–present)
Composition: Paper
Size: 120 × 64 mm
Shape: Rectangular
Demonetized: Yes
Reference: P‑6b, TBB 106
Printer: Bradbury Wilkinson & Co., United Kingdom
Obverse
Blue print on multicolour underlay
Portrait of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah in military uniform at right
Inscriptions include:
KERAJAAN BRUNEI
GOVERNMENT OF BRUNEI
SATU RINGGIT / ONE DOLLAR
Signature of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah
Clean, symmetrical layout typical of Bradbury Wilkinson designs
Reverse
Detailed engraving of the Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, Bandar Seri Begawan
Jawi and Latin inscriptions
GOVERNMENT OF BRUNEI
The mosque’s golden dome and minaret are among Brunei’s most recognisable national symbols
Watermark
Portrait watermark of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah
Collector Notes
The P‑6b is one of the most attractive early Brunei notes, combining royal portraiture with one of the region’s most famous mosques. Affordable, visually striking, and historically significant, it remains a favourite among collectors of Southeast Asian and Commonwealth banknotes.
