The Brunei Dollar is the currency of the Sultanate of Brunei. The spelling of the word "Brunei" is pronounced as /bruːˈnaɪ/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The first syllable "bru" is pronounced with a long u sound followed by a short r sound, while the second syllable "nei" is pronounced with a long e sound followed by a short n sound and a long i sound. The word "Dollar" is pronounced as /ˈdɒlər/, with the emphasis on the first syllable and a silent r at the end.
The Brunei Dollar is the official currency of Brunei, a small nation located on the island of Borneo in Southeast Asia. It is symbolized by the code BND and subdivided into 100 sen. The currency is issued and regulated by the Monetary Authority of Brunei Darussalam.
The Brunei Dollar has been in use since 1967, replacing the Malaya and British Borneo dollar. It is issued in both notes and coins, with the denominations varying from $1, $5, $10, $50, $100, and $10,000 notes to coins valued at 1, 5, 10, 20, and 50 cents.
With a fixed exchange rate policy, the Brunei Dollar holds a par value against the Singapore Dollar, meaning that it is interchangeable on a one-to-one basis within Brunei and Singapore. However, its use as legal tender is limited to Brunei itself.
The Brunei Dollar's value is backed by Brunei's substantial oil and gas reserves, as the nation is a major exporter of these resources. Consequently, its stability in the foreign exchange market is relatively high compared to other currencies.
The currency plays a vital role in the economy of Brunei, being widely accepted for all transactions ranging from daily purchases to larger commercial transactions. Additionally, it serves as a medium of exchange and unit of account, facilitating financial transactions within the country.
The word "Brunei" in "Brunei Dollar" is derived from the name of the country, Brunei. Brunei is a sovereign state on the island of Borneo, located in Southeast Asia.
The term "Dollar" in "Brunei Dollar" originates from the Dutch word "daler" (also spelled "daalder"), which was a silver coin used in the Netherlands from the 16th to 19th centuries. The term "daler" further evolved into "dollar" and has been adopted by various countries worldwide as their currency name.
The Brunei Dollar's association with the term "dollar" can be linked to the historical influence of the Dutch East India Company, which established trade routes in Southeast Asia, including Brunei. The Dutch influence in the region likely led to the adoption of the term "dollar" for Brunei's currency.