UNLISTED PRIVATE ESTATE TOKENS OF BRITISH NORTH BORNEO

Unlisted Jellani Estate 50 Cents Brass Tokens of British North Borneo



British North Borneo Brass Token.
50 Cents.Reverse.

British North Borneo Brass Token.
50 Cents.Obverse.





This 50 cents Jellani Estate brass token  listed above have no been recorded or illustrated before. However, the information of the abovementioned estates is far from complete. We would appreciate hearing from any individual who may have any information on then relevant estates or be aware of any other denominations in existence not covered in this article.

Due to a shortage of currency, private estate tokens were introduced around 1882 by the various tobacco, rubber and timber estates in the State of North Borneo. These tokens were accorded legal tender status by the British North Borneo Company. The tokens were used for payment to coolies (labourers) employed by the estates and were current on the relevant estates for which they were issued.

Due to various abuses, these tokens were brought under Government regulations of 1903, 1906 and 1912. Any individual estate or Company employing more than 100 labourers was empowered to issue monetary tokens after seeking prior approval from the Government. Each token was not to exceed five dollars per issuer. A specimen was required to be deposited at the Treasury at Sandakan as well as at the nearest District Office. Tokens with the insciption "Borneo" were also issued by the estates and plantations in Dutch controlled Borneo which is now part of the Republic of Indonesia . These series of Dutch Borneo tokens are however not within the preview of this article.

Vide Gazette Notification No. 207 of 1920 the issue of these private token money was abolished. All employers in the various estates were required to forward to the local District Office at least 20 per cent of their total authorised issue of tokens for cancellation by the 31st December of each year henceforth. Thus by 31st December 1924 the use of private tokens in the State of North Borneo came to an end.

Source:Saran Singh,A.M.N.,F.R.N.S.Spink Numismatic Circular,1985.