5 dollars 1981
Market Prices
13 salesAbout This Note
This is a stunning UNC example of the 1981 Bank Negara Malaysia $5 note (Pick P-14b), featuring a portrait of King Tuanku Abdul Rahman on the obverse. The note displays exceptional pristine condition with sharp clarity on the intricate green and multicolor guilloche patterns, latent security numerals, and the characteristic cloud-like ornamental design. The reverse showcases the National Seal within an elegant circular emblem, printed by the renowned security printer Bradbury Wilkinson, and represents a key issue in Malaysian currency that remains actively collected.
Common. This is a regular issue note from 1981 with a substantial circulation print run. eBay market data confirms common status, with UNC examples trading in the $100-145 range historically (2014-2018) and declining to catalog values around $38 for UNC condition as of 2019. The availability of multiple UNC examples on the secondary market and consistent pricing indicate this is a standard, widely-available issue rather than a scarce variety.
Issued in 1981 during a significant period of Malaysia's economic development, this note features King Tuanku Abdul Rahman, the first Yang di-Pertuan Agong (Constitutional Monarch) of Malaysia. The National Seal depicted on the reverse symbolizes Malaysia's sovereignty and institutional identity during a period of currency modernization and enhanced security features. The use of advanced security printing techniques by Bradbury Wilkinson reflects Malaysia's commitment to contemporary anti-counterfeiting measures in the post-1976 currency reform era.
The obverse features a dignified portrait of King Tuanku Abdul Rahman positioned on the right side, rendered in formal state attire with distinctive ceremonial headwear, characteristic of Malaysian royal portraiture of this era. The note employs an elaborate guilloche background in green with blue-purple tints in the central ornamental design, incorporating security features including a latent image numeral visible at the lower left. The reverse presents the National Coat of Arms (Seal of Malaysia) within a prominent circular emblem, flanked by ornamental rosette patterns in the corners and fine geometric border designs throughout, with the printer's attribution clearly marked.
Front: 'BANK NEGARA MALAYSIA' (Bank Negara Malaysia); '$5' (Five dollars); 'WANG KERTAS INI SAH DIPERLAKUKAN DENGAN NILAI LIMA RINGGIT' (This banknote is legal tender with the value of five ringgit); Serial number 'B 30 138203' appears twice. Back: 'BANK NEGARA MALAYSIA' (Bank Negara Malaysia); '$5' denomination markers in all four corners; 'BRADBURY, WILKINSON & Co LTD NEW MALDEN, SURREY, ENGLAND' (printer identification).
This specific example is identified as Pick P-14b, representing the 1981 issue with the '$' symbol and latent numeral security feature at the lower left. Serial number 'B 30 138203' indicates this particular note. The note exhibits characteristics consistent with the standard 1981 printing run. No exceptional signature, date, or overprint varieties are noted in this specimen, making it representative of the standard variety for this Pick catalog number.
