...Malaysia - (ND)2019 Replacement Notes Signed By Nor Shamsiah Mohd Yunus Tenure 2018-2023 Polymer And Paper

Malaysia

 

Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM - Central Bank of Malaysia Est.1959)

Currency - Ringgit (MYR)

 

Note: Only the one ringgit is printed on polymer substrate. The other two notes (50 and 100 ringgit are printed on paper material)

 

On 13.04.2025 I posted a full set of six notes from 1 to 100 ringgit all bearing the bank's governor's signature of Nor Shamsiah Mohd Yunus. This series was first introduced on 05.07.2009 with the 50 ringgit. You can click onto the link above to view my original post. 

It has come to my attention that whilst in all previous issues, replacement notes are usually printed for all denominations of banknotes that are issued for general circulation. However, for this series, only the denominations of RM1, RM50 and RM100 were printed with replacement prefixes but not for the RM5, RM10 and RM20. I find this a bit strange as to why some have replacement prefixes and some do not have. Perhaps, they have improved the printing process and instead of printing replacement prefixes, the printer just prints some extras to cover those rejected notes.  

In Malaysia, the tenure for the central bank governor role is fixed for 5 years. Nor Shamsiah Mohd Yunus was appointed as the bank's governor from 1 July 2018 to 30 June 2023. She succeeded the previous bank governor Tan Sri Muhammad Ibrahim, who only served for two years from May 2016 to June 2018. He resigned from the post shortly after the previous government lost the general election, which is not unexpected in that part of the world. Prior to her appointment, Nor Shamsiah Mohd Yunus was the bank's deputy governor from 2010 to 2016. It is not clear as to why her position as bank governor was not renewed when her 5 years term expired in 2023. All I can say is that such an appointment has something to do with who the Federal government of the day when the appointment is made. 

 

Satu Ringgit Polimer / One Ringgit Polymer 

Front - Portrait of the first Agong (King), Tuanku Abdul Rahman ibni Almarhum Tunku Muhammad (b.1895-1960).

Signature - Nor Shamsiah Mohd Yunus (tenure 2018-2023)

Dimensions - 120mm x 65mm 

Back - Traditional Kelantanese kite flying. The kite in Malay is called Wau Bulan. Family having fun at the beach. The logo of Malaysia Airlines (MAS) is based on the design of this kite. 

Replacement Prefix ZF

  

Fifty Ringgit Paper / Lima Puluh Ringgit

 

Front Portrait of the first Agong (King), Tuanku Abdul Rahman ibni Almarhum Tunku Muhammad (b.1895-1960).  

Signature - Nor Shamsiah Mohd Yunus (tenure 2018-2023)

Watermarks - Tuanku Abdul Rahman and electrotype 50

Dimensions - 146mm x 69mm

 

Back - Oil palm trees. Tunku Abdul Rahman (b.1903-1990), the first Prime Minister of Malaysia (1957-1990), proclaiming independence on 31.08.1957. 

 

Replacement Prefix - ZH

Tuanku Abdul Rahman ibni Almarhum Tunku Muhammad (b.1895-1960)

 

Replacement prefix - ZJ

 

One Hundred Ringgit / Seratus Ringgit

 

Front Portrait of the first Agong (King), Tuanku Abdul Rahman ibni Almarhum Tunku Muhammad (b.1895-1960). 

Signature - Nor Shamsiah Mohd Yunus (tenure 2018-2023)

Watermarks - Tuanku Abdul Rahman and electrotype 100

Dimensions - 150.5mm x 69.5mm

Back - Image of Mount Kinabalu in Sabah, and pinnacles rock formation of Gunung Api valley.  

Replacement Prefix ZF

...Hong Kong Special Administrative Region - $10 Polymer issue Dated 1st January 2024

 中華人民共和國香港特別行政區

(Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China)

 

香港金融管理局

(Hong Kong Monetary Authority - HKMA)

Currency - Dollar (HKD)

 

This is the latest Hong Kong $10 polymer note issued by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government. This note is dated 1st January 2024 and was only reported among collectors last year. This is still the only banknote issued in Hong Kong that is printed on polymer substrate material.

The last issue for this $10 polymer note was dated 01.07.2018. Neither of the three issuing banknote commercial banks have printed the $10 denomination since 1995. When the Bank of China first issued Hong Kong banknotes in 1994, the lowest denomination was the $20. The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC) last print for the $10 was dated 01.01.1992, and the Standard Chartered Bank (SCB) $10 was dated 01.01.1995. Obviously the government feels that there is still a need for this low denomination value note and the government has been issuing this $10 since 2002. This is also due to public demand as the people of Hong Kong find it impractical to have a $10 coin instead of a banknote, especially during festivity seasons when auspicious red packets are required, like new year and weddings and so on.

The designs for this note have not changed since it was first introduced in 2002 except that the material was changed from paper to polymer substrate material in 2005. Honestly, I have no idea how you can describe the design for this note. It looked like mostly ribbon wiggling on the front and back. On the front, the design on those triangle shapes may appear to be representing water waves. In the top center is a hexagon shaped perfect register with the image of a rearing horse. Next to this is printed with the issuing authority - Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Both Chinese and English text are printed on the front and back of this note. I personally believe that it would be much better if they promote the beauty of Hong Kong with the skyline view of the city, which Hong Kong is famous for, to the outside world.

This is a cheap note and it is fun to collect them. 

 

Ten Dollars 

Dated 1st January 2024

Signatures 

Financial Secretary - Paul Chan Mo-po* 陳茂波 (tenure since 2017)

Monetary Authority (Chief Executive) - Eddie Yue Wai-man* 余偉文 (tenure since 2019)

Sizes - 133mm x 66mm 

Note* - It appears that they both have more than one signature (in Chinese as shown on this banknote, and in English as well).

...Bhutan - 100, 500 and 1000 Ngultrum Polymer Series 2025 Commemorative

འབྲུག་རྒྱལ་ཁབ

Kingdom of Bhutan

 

Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan (Est.1982)

Currency - Ngultrum (BTN)

Here are the three commemorative notes of 100, 500 and 1000 ngultrum all released on 02.01.2026. These three notes are all printed in polymer substrates and were issued to celebrate the 70th birthday of the formal King, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, who was the King of Bhutan from 1972 to 2006. King Jigme Singye Wangchuck was born on 11th November 1955, and abdicated in 2006 in favour of his son, King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck.

Like many Asian countries, many central banks have issued polymer banknotes due to it's durability and being able to be recycled once they are no longer deemed fit for circulation. However, most of the countries issue polymer notes with either the lower denominations, or those that are the most circulated denominations. In the Bhutan case, the central bank has issued them with the three highest denominations. Bhutan is the 19th nation in the Asian region to issue polymer banknotes.

The design for the notes depict a portrait of a Bhutanese monarch (past or present) and on the back with the image of a Dzong or a fortress monastery that serves as both the religious and administrative center for a district.

These notes are printed by De La Rue on Safeguard polymer materials. 

Circular transparent window with the image of the current monarch, King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck.

I am not sure who the signature belongs to that is printed on these three polymer notes. These three notes were issued in early 2026 and all notes are dated 2025. The previous bank governor was Dasho Penjore and he was replaced by Dasho Yangchen Tshogye (she/her) on 01.12.2025 (appointed on 25.11.2025). I can see the signature on these polymer notes are not the same as those previously signed by Dasho Penjore, however, I cannot be sure these polymer notes signature belong to Dasho Yangchen Tshogye, given the time she was appointed and the release of these notes were just over a month. Most printing of banknotes is well planned in advance. I can see previous notes were signed with western style (English alphabet), whilst these three polymer notes are signed in Bhutanese (I think). The signature on these notes could belong to the previous governor, Dasho Penjore as he may have two signatures. The appointment of the governor is for 5 years. Any future issues should confirm this.

****This is one expensive set to purchase, just because it is printed in polymer substrate material. This is the price to pay if you want to be the first to have them. Such strategy **** 

 

One Hundred Ngultrum

Front - The portrait of King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, who was born in 1980. He is the eldest son of the former King, Jigme Singye Wangchuck. He acceded to the Bhutanese Golden throne following the abdication of his father on 09.12.2006.

Signature - Dasho Penjore (tenure 2015-2025)

Date - 2025

Sizes - 144.5mm x 69mm

Back - An image of the Tashichho Dzong situated at the northern edge of Thimphu. The Tashichho Dzong is a Buddhist monastery and is also traditionally the office of Bhutan's civil government.

 

Five Hundred Ngultrum

Front - The portrait of King Jigme Singye Wangchuck who was born on 11 November 1955. He was the king of Bhutan from 1972 to 2006 when he abdicated in favour of his eldest son from his third wife. He is married with four wives and with 10 children.

Signature - Dasho Penjore (tenure 2015-2025)

Date - 2025

Sizes - 150mm x 71.5mm

Back - The image of Punakha Dzong, also known as Pungthang Dewa Chhenbi Phodrang. In translation, it means 'the palace of great happiness or bliss'. The Punakha Dzong is situated between the two rivers of Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu in the Punakha valley. It is believed that this palace was built around 1638. This is also the palace where the current King and Queen Jetsun Pema held their Royal wedding in 2011.

 

One Thousand Ngultrum 

Front - The portrait of King Gongsar Ugyen Wangchuck (b.1862-1926). He was the first king of Bhutan from 1907 to until his death in 1926. King Gongsar Ugyen Wangchuck spent his early life uniting various tribes. Following the death of his father Jigme Namgyal in 1881, he took over his father's position and continued working his way to win the hearts and sorts of the people. In 1886 at the young age of 24, he successfully achieved victory against his enemies and became the de facto ruler of Bhutan. He was crowned the King of Bhutan in 1907.

Signature - Dasho Penjore (tenure 2015-2025)

Date - 2025

Sizes - 154.5mm x 75mm

Back - An image of Trongsa Dzong. This is the largest dzong fortress in Bhutan and is located in Trongsa in the center of the country. It is believed that this dzong was built in 1543. Today, this dzong functions as a Bhutanese government administrative office. 

...Papua New Guines - 5 And 20 Kina nd2024 Prints

Independent State of Papua New Guinea

Bank of Papua New Guinea (Est.1973)

Currency - Kina (PGK)

  

It is believed that only two notes were issued with the year date of (nd)2024, and here I have posted both the notes. No change to the designs and these are the reduced sizes series, first introduced in 2016.

 

Five Kina 

Front - National Parliament House of Papua New Guinea located in Port Moresby. The parliament house was officially opened on 08.08.1984 by Prince Charles (now King Charles The lll). On the right is the Coat of Arms and on the far left is a see-through image of a Bird of Paradise. 

Signatures

Governor - Elizabeth W Genia (tenure 2023-)

Secretary, Department of Treasury - Andrew F Oaeke (tenure 2021-)

Date - (nd)2024 

Sizes - 130mm x 70.5mm 

Back - On the back, it features traditional currencies like a Hombuli Mask, Kina shell and necklace. 

Twenty Kina

Front - National Parliament House of Papua New Guinea located in Port Moresby. The parliament house was officially opened on 08.08.1984 by Prince Charles (now King Charles The lll). On the right is the Coat of Arms and on the far left is a see-through image of a Bird of Paradise. 

Signatures

Governor - Elizabeth W Genia (tenure 2023-)

Secretary, Department of Treasury - Andrew F Oaeke (tenure 2021-)

Date - (nd)2024

Dimensions - 140mm x 70mm

Back - A boar head and conches

...Papua New Guinea - 100 Kina ND2026 Commemorative Sir Julius Chan 陳仲民 Anniversary

Papua New Guinea, Independent State of

Bank of Papua New Guinea (Est.1973)

Currency - Kina (PGK)

 

This is a commemorative note of 100 kina that was released on 28.01.2026 to celebrate the first anniversary of the passing of Papua New Guinea's second Prime Minister. Sir Julius Chan. Sir Julius died on 30.01.2025 in Huris, New Ireland Province. Following his death, the government of Papua New Guinea declared a week of national mourning. He was given a state funeral in Port Moresby, the capital city and his remains were then buried in New Ireland Province.  

Sir Julius Chan was born half Chinese and half Papua New Guinean (mother Miriam Tinkoris, a native of New Ireland). His father was Chan Pak (陳柏 b.1896-1994 Sydney Australia), a trader originally came from Taishan, a coaster city situated in the southwest of Guangdong province. Sir Julius was the fifth child out of seven children, and it was believed that he spoke Cantonese, apart from English and a local dialect of Papua New Guinea. During the Second World War, because of his mixed race, the Japanese occupiers treated the entire Chan family as outsiders and put his father into forced labour building roads and bridges. One of his younger brothers died during the war (casualty of war). His older brother was in Hong Kong schooling during the war, and was tricked by a family friend and sold as a slave in China working as a farm labour. He was then rescued by a Communist Party general and they made him a shoe cleaner and a pistol carrier. After the war the Chinese General felt sorry for him and helped him to return to Hong Kong as a free man and later he managed to return home and united with the family in Papua New Guinea. 

This is the second time in the history of the Bank of Papua New Guinea since 1975 that banknotes were issued honoring a politician. The first time this happened was Sir Michael Somare on a fifty kina paper note issued in 1989. Since then, the 50 kina note with the portrait of Sir Michael Somare has been reprinted in polymer substrate materials including normal and commemorative notes, and I am just wondering if this 100 kina note with the portrait of Sir Julius Chan will be the same design for all future reprints. The difference between Sir Michael Somare and Sir Julius Chan is that the 50 kina notes were issued when Sir Michael Somare was still alive and Sir Julius Chan is not.

Whilst this note was issued as a commemorative banknote, there is nothing, like a commemorative logo or text to say this is a commemorative issue. 

 

One Hundred Kina

Front -  Papua New Guinea's Parliament building located in Waigani in the capital city of Port Moresby. The parliament house was officially opened on 08.08.1984 by Prince Charles (now King Charles The lll). The parliament house was formerly known as the House of Assembly Building of Papua New Guinea from 1964 to 1975. On the top left is the Bird of Paradise, the national emblem of Papua New Guinea, perched on a Kundu Drum and Ceremonial spear. Coat of Arms and on the far left is a see-through image of the bank's logo and the images of Bird of Paradise. 

Signatures

Governor - Elizabeth W Genia (tenure 2023-)

Secretary, Department of Treasury - Andrew F Oaeke (tenure 2021-) 

Date - nd2026

Sizes - 150mm x 70mm 

Back - The portrait of the late Sir Julius Chan (b.1939-2025). Julius Chan who was the second Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea from 1980 to 1982, and again in 1994 to March 1997, and June 1997 to July 1997. Julius Chan was half Chinese and half native of Papua New Guinea and was born on Tanga Islands. His Chinese given name is 陳仲民 (transliteration - Chan Chung-min/Chen Zhongmin). His father was from Taishan (泰山 - southern China, near Macau) in China. Apart from Papua New Guinea dialects and English, he also spoke Cantonese. Apart from being the country's Prime Minister, he was also the 4th governor of New Ireland from 2007 to 2025 (until his death). Julius Chan was born in 1939 and died on 30.01.2025 at the age of 85 years old. Other images printed on this note is an image of a fisherman on a canoe (shark caller) catching sharks.