Coin, 5 cents British North Borneo, Malaysia, 1940
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1940 AD
5 Cents, Issued by British North Borneo, Malaysia, 1940 H Minted by Heaton & Son, Birmingham, England Obverse: Shield of arms of the British North Borneo Company; on shield, a lion above a dhow; native warrior supporters one holding a shield the other as large machete; the crest, two arms holding a flag staff; below on ribbon the motto PERGO ET PERAGO (translation: I undertake and I achieve); below, the mint mark, H.
Reverse: Within a circle of beads, 5 / CENTS; around, STATE OF NORTH BORNEO . 1940 . Edge: Plain.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 2
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Historical context
The British North Borneo Company had the right to produce coin under its Royal Charter, granted in 1881. It had 1 cent coins struck in England from 1882 and 1/2 cent pieces from 1885. These coins were linked to the silver dollar as used in the Straits Settlement and Hong Kong. In 1903-1904 it moved from the use of bronze to copper-nickel, issuing 1 cent, and the new 2 1/2 cents and 5 cent coin in that metal.
This coin was part of the seventh issue of 5 cents pieces by the Company, the others being in 1903, 1920, 1921, 1927,1928 and 1938. 500,000 of the 5 cents coins were struck in 1940, this one showing signs of wear from circulation, the 5 cents piece was produced more often than the other denominations, indicating a greater demand.
Physical characteristics
- Material
- Copper-Nickel
- Dimensions
- Overall Dimensions: 28 mm (Outside Diameter), 7.28 g (Weight)
Technical characteristics
- Maker recorded
- Heaton & Sons (Mint)
- Place recorded
- British North Borneo (Malaysia)
- Series recorded
- British North Borneo
- Denomination recorded
- 5 Cents
Identification
- Source note
- Transcribed from the Museums Victoria, Melbourne collection record for this single object (sentences kept verbatim apart from removed sale or rarity wording); how far it represents a wider collectible type has not been independently verified.
- Candidate id
- mv-80805
- Museum object name
- Coin - 5 Cents, North Borneo, 1940
- Holding institution
- Museums Victoria, Melbourne
- Museum object number
- NU 8921
- Published references
- KM#5
Documentation checklist
- Denomination
- Research required
- Issue or mint date
- Recorded
- Material
- Recorded
- Weight
- Research required
- Mint or printer
- Research required
- Mint or printer mark
- Research required
- Catalogue reference
- Research required
- Attached photograph (check rights)
- Recorded
Recorded means a field is present, not independently verified. Read its wording, supporting source and the entry’s confidence level.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: confirm the wider type, maker and dating against a specialist reference; this entry documents one recorded example.