BNM issues commemorative coins

KUALA LUMPUR: Bank Negara Malaysia is issuing commemorative coins,
whose design motifs are based on the nature, flora and fauna and
traditional handicraft found in Malaysia.

The central bank said on Monday, July 25 the coins would mark the new
third series of the Malaysian coins which will be available for
circulation early 2012.

The Governor of BNM, Tan Sri Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz had on Monday
launched the commemorative coins in the denominations of five sen, 10
sen, 20 sen and 50 sen.

The new series of coins are smaller and lighter making its more
user-friendly for the public. The yellow and silver coloured coins and
the edge designs enable the public and also the visually impaired to
identify and distinguish the different denominations.

The new series of coins embodies the latest advancements in minting TECHNOLOGY []
which incorporates improved counterfeit resistance security features.
The new metal alloy used for minting has enhanced durability against
wear and corrosion.

The central bank will make available 500,000 sets of the
commemorative coins (brilliant uncirculated) comprising all the coin
denominations with special packaging and to be sold in stages to the
public at RM10 per set.

These coins are minted and distributed by BNM and will be available
for sale from Tuesday at its headquarters and its branches in Penang,
Johor Bahru, Kuala Terengganu, Kota Kinabalu and Kuching.

The motif for the five sen, 10 sen and 20 sen denomination on the
observe side features 14 dots representing the 13 states and the
federal territory. The motif for the 50 sen coin has five horizontal
lines representing the five principles of the Rukun Negara.

The reverse side of all coins, five sen, 10 sen, 20 sen and 50 sen
features the same motifs, that is the hibiscus which is the national
flower and numerals indicating the year of minting, the face value of
the coin and the words ‘Bank Negara Malaysia’ as the issuing authority
of the coins.

The new series of coins are legal tender and will co-circulate with
the existing series. The existing series will be gradually phased out.

The central bank said it was working with financial institutions,
businesses and cash handling vendors to ensure a smooth transition to
the new series. Vendors of cash handling machines will be given six
months to calibrate their machines to ensure convenience for the use of
the new coins.

BNM will also issue the new fourth series banknotes in September this year.