2017 CIA50 $50
Fifty Years of Friendship, and Many More to Come
Ten years on from 2007, we celebrated 50 years of our Currency Interchangeability Agreement (CIA50) with Brunei. The agreement was not just an economic relationship; it signified the bonds between our two nations that had extended to defence, education, and tourism. This occasion was a quiet celebration of our enduring ties–ties that were felt not just in formal agreements, but in the warmth of friendship that had grown over the decades. We looked ahead with confidence that this friendship would continue to grow even stronger in the years to come.
Circulation status: Commemorative
Issuing authority: MAS
First issued: 7 July 2017
Pieces issued:
• 2 million (regular edition)
• 5,000 (CIA prefix edition)
• 3,000 sheets (3-in-1 uncut edition)
Printer: Unknown
Material: Polymer
Artists:
• Eng Siak Loy
• Weng Ziyan
• Abdul Ajihis Haji Terawih (Brunei)
‘Singapore’ in caps
‘Singapore’ in four languages
National Coat of Arms
Lion Head symbol
Portrait: Yusof Ishak
Images: Bilateral exchanges in defence, education & tourism
• CIA50 logo: Simpur & Vanda Miss Joaquim in full bloom (front)
• Personnel from Singapore and Brunei armed forces (back)
• Students from Singapore & Brunei (back)
• Singapore Botanic Gardens & Ulu Temburong National Park (back)
• Fluorescent ink & fibres
• Intaglio & reverse intaglio printing
• Micro-lettering concealed within background patterns
• Ultraviolet-visible text & Lion Head symbol
• Asymmetrical serial number digits
• EURion constellation
• Geometric & floral patterns
• Colour-switching image of Singapore’s Astana and Brunei’s Istana Nurul Iman
• One see-through window
Twice in History, with One Trusted Friend
Other than with Brunei, Singapore has never issued a banknote jointly with another country—not once, let alone twice. The CIA40 and CIA50 notes remain the only banknotes we have ever produced with another nation. They are also the only occasions where our artists worked with counterparts from another country to design the notes. In addition, the CIA50 note modified several security features. It was the first note to feature a Lion Head symbol that appears under ultraviolet (UV) light, alongside UV-visible denomination numerals. It also used a new form of micro-lettering, where the numbers ‘50’, ‘1967’, and ‘2017’ were hidden within the background designs, and appears faintly under extreme magnification.
Deep Roots And New Horizons: Singapore and Brunei’s Evolving Ties
The CIA50 logo was created to celebrate 50 years of the Currency Interchangeability Agreement (CIA) between Singapore and Brunei. It features a unifying flower design made up of the Simpur, a flower found in Brunei, and the Vanda Miss Joaquim, our national flower. The petals are shown in full bloom, radiating outwards to symbolise the growing friendship between the two countries.
Singapore and Brunei have enjoyed a close relationship since our early years of independence. Besides the Currency Interchangeability Agreement, our leaders have maintained strong ties, and both countries supported each other at international forums. In recent years, our cooperation has expanded further. We have signed agreements to work together in new fields like the digital economy and green economy, and our companies are starting to partner Bruneian counterparts in smart city projects and food security initiatives.
Defence has been one of our strongest areas of cooperation. Since 1976, the SAF has been conducting regular jungle training exercises in Brunei—as many of those who have undergone National Service, and trained at Lakiun camp, would know. Brunei offers dense rainforest terrain that Singapore lacks. Over time, our cooperation has also expanded to include naval and air exercises, professional exchanges, and joint military visits.
Education ties between our two nations have also grown steadily. Every year, top students from Brunei come to study in Singapore under the Brunei Government Scholarship, and many Singaporean teachers and school leaders visit Brunei to share their experiences. Students from both countries also take part in exchange programmes like the Singapore-Brunei Youth Leadership Exchange, where young people learn about each other’s cultures and systems.
In tourism, direct flights between the two countries have made it easy for travellers. While Brunei is not a favourite destination for Singaporeans, over the years, more Singaporeans have visited Brunei to explore its natural attractions like Ulu Temburong National Park and Kampong Ayer, the famous water village. At the same time, Bruneians come to Singapore for shopping, medical services, education, and leisure, especially places like Orchard Road, Sentosa, and Marina Bay Sands.
Market Value in 2024
Market Price: $65
Condition
• Ungraded
• Brand new
• No tears, pinholes, stains, foxing, creases or folds
Context
• The information here refers specifically to the banknote featured on the top of this page.
• The same note may fetch a higher price if it is graded, issued as a special edition, has special serial numbers or other special prefixes, or is a specimen or error note.
• The same note may fetch a lower price if it lacks the first prefix 50AA or is in poorer condition.
Attributions
1. Prefix and banknote details from Vincent Tan and Tan Wei Jie, Singapore Banknotes: Complete Prefix Reference, Mr Banknotes, 2017.
2. Image from the Republic of Singapore Air Force, Facebook. Source: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=767572933351233&id=236424069799458&set=a.767572770017916.
3. Image from Edgefield Secondary School, Facebook. Source: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=2402224749800483&set=pcb.2402230479799910.
4. Image from Royal Brunei Airlines. Source: https://www.flyroyalbrunei.com/singapore/en/discover-the-enchanting-beauty-of-brunei/.