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1 Ringgit 1972, Brunei

in Krause book Number: 6a
Years of issue: 1972
Edition:
Signatures: Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah
Serie: 1972 Issue
Specimen of: 1972
Material: Cotton fiber
Size (mm): 120 x 62
Printer: Bradbury, Wilkinson & Company Limited, New Malden

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1 Ringgit 1972

Description

Watermark:

watermark

Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah in military uniform.

Avers:

1 Ringgit 1972

sultan

Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah in military uniform.

Hassanal Bolkiah (Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien Sa'adul Khairi Waddien; born 15 July 1946) is the 29th and current Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei. He is also the first and incumbent Prime Minister of Brunei. The eldest son of Sir Muda Omar Ali Saifuddien III and Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Damit, he succeeded to the throne as the Sultan of Brunei, following the abdication of his father on 4 October 1967.

The Sultan has been among the wealthiest individuals in the world, with differing estimates of his personal wealth as it is not always evident what can be calculated as personal and what rather as public wealth belonging to the state i.e. crown, as Brunei is a monarchy. Forbes for example estimated the Sultan's total peak net worth at US$20 billion in 2008.

Denominations in numerals are in all corners, in words centered (above).

Revers:

1 Ringgit 1972

mosque

Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque is an Islamic mosque located in Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of the Sultanate of Brunei. Considered as one of the most beautiful mosques in the Asia Pacific, it is a place of worship for the Muslim community, a major landmark and a tourist attraction of Brunei.

Named after Omar Ali Saifuddien III, the 28th Sultan of Brunei who also initiated its construction, the mosque serves as a symbol of the Islamic faith in Brunei and dominates the skyline of Bandar Seri Begawan. The building was completed in 1958 and is an example of modern Islamic architecture.

The mosque unites Mughal architecture and Italian styles. The plans were done by Booty and Edwards Chartered Architects according to designs by the Italian architect Cavaliere Rudolfo Nolli, who had already for decades been working at the gulf of Siam.

Built in an artificial lagoon on the banks of the Brunei River at Kampong Ayer- the "village in the water", the mosque has marble minarets and golden domes, a courtyard and is surrounded by a large number of trees and floral gardens. A bridge reaches across the lagoon to Kampong Ayer in the middle of the river. Another marble bridge leads to a structure in the lagoon meant as a replica of a 16th Century Sultan Bolkiah Mahligai Barge. The barge itself was completed in 1967 to commemorate the 1,400th anniversary of Nuzul Al-Quran (coming down of the Quran) and was used to stage the Quran reading competitions.

The mosque's most recognizable feature - the main dome, is covered in pure gold. The mosque stands 52 m (171 ft) high and can be seen from virtually anywhere in Bandar Seri Begawan. The main minaret is the mosque's tallest feature. In a unique way it mixes Renaissance and Italian architectural style. The minaret has an elevator to the top, where a visitor can enjoy a panoramic view of the city.

The interior of the mosque is for prayer only, with features such as stained glass windows, arches, semi-domes and marble columns. Nearly all the material used for the building were imported from abroad: the marble from Italy, the granite from Shanghai, the crystal chandeliers from England and the carpets from Saudi Arabia.

Lower, right, is Brunei coat of arms.

Brunei coat of arms

The national emblem of Brunei is featured prominently on the flag of Brunei. It was adopted in 1940. There are five main components to the national emblem, according to the government's official website. They are the flag, the royal umbrella, the wing, the hands, and the crescent. On the crescent is writing in Arabic script that contain the national motto of: "Always in service with God's guidance".

Below this is a banner with the name of the nation in Arabic script as Brunei Darussalam or Brunei, the Abode of Peace. The Flag and Payung Ubor-Ubor (in which the latter is featured below the Flag) have been the royal insignia since the creation of the emblem. The wings symbolize protection of justice, tranquility, prosperity and peace. Below these is the crescent that is the symbol of Islam, the national religion of Brunei. The hands symbolize the government's duty to preserve and promotes the welfare of the citizens and to protect the people.

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