5 ringgit 1967 specimen

Common. Despite being a specimen note, the 1967 Brunei 5 Ringgit specimen (P-2s) is common in the numismatic market. The eBay price data provided shows widespread availability with prices ranging from $1.99 to $225.95 USD, with most listings clustering in the $4.95 to $80.00 range, indicating robust supply and typical collector-level demand. Specimen notes from major government issues of this era were produced in significant quantities for official distribution and archival purposes, and Bradbury Wilkinson specimens are regularly encountered. The denomination and historical significance do not elevate it to scarce status.

This 1967 issue marks Brunei's currency during the period shortly after the 1959 Brunei Constitution and leading toward full sovereignty. The prominent portrait of Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin III reflects the sultanate's Islamic monarchy governance, while the reverse depicting his namesake mosque emphasizes the nation's Islamic heritage and the Sultan's architectural legacy in Bandar Seri Begawan. The bilingual English-Malay inscriptions and dual denomination (Ringgit/Dollars) document Brunei's transitional economic status in Southeast Asia during this era.

The obverse features a three-quarter profile portrait of Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin III facing left, depicted in full military dress uniform with a formal military cap, positioned on the right side of the note. The central design incorporates ornate Islamic-influenced guilloche patterns with a prominent sunburst or star-burst motif radiating from the center, flanked by decorative rosettes in the corners. A subtle architectural vignette of a building with traditional design elements appears in the lower right. The reverse presents the centerpiece: the Masjid Omar Ali Saifuddin (Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin mosque) in Bandar Seri Begawan, rendered as the principal architectural feature with its distinctive minaret towers, domed roof, and Islamic architectural detailing. The Brunei national coat of arms appears in the lower right of the reverse. Fine line engraving creates security through intricate detail throughout both sides.

Front: 'KERAJAAN BRUNEI' (Brunei Kingdom), 'GOVERNMENT OF BRUNEI' (English equivalent), 'SPECIMEN' (specimen designation), 'LIMA RINGGIT' (Five Ringgit in Malay), 'DOLLARS' (alternative denomination), 'KELUARAN 1967' (Issue 1967), 'SULTAN' (Sultan title), 'BRADBURY, WILKINSON & CO LTD NEW MALDEN, SURREY, ENGLAND' (printer attribution), serial number 'A 000000' (specimen format). Back: 'SPECIMEN' (red overprint), 'GOVERNMENT OF BRUNEI', 'كراجاان برونيء' (Kerajaan Brunei in Jawi script, meaning Brunei Kingdom), denomination '5' in all corners.

Intaglio (engraved) printing by Bradbury Wilkinson & Co Ltd, a renowned British security printer based in New Malden, Surrey. The note exhibits characteristic fine line engraving with complex guilloche patterns, multi-color security printing in the central ornamental areas (combining green, blue, orange, beige, and pink), and precise registration of the overprinted red 'SPECIMEN' designation. The quality and detail of execution is consistent with Bradbury Wilkinson's reputation for high-security currency production.

This is specifically P-2s (specimen variety) as indicated by the red 'SPECIMEN' overprint, 000000 serial number format, and BWC (Bradbury Wilkinson & Co) printer attribution. The PMG population report confirms P-2s as a catalogued variety for this Pick number, distinguishing it from P-2a (regular issue, also BWC) and P-2cts (circulation/test specimen, also BWC). The visual evidence of the front and back designs, denomination, date, and printer all confirm this identification as the specimen issue variant of the 1967 5 Ringgit.