• The Straits Settlements were known colloquially to the Chinese as “叻屿呷”, a name derived from “石叻坡” (“Singapore”), “槟榔屿” (“Penang”) and “吗六呷” (“Melaka”).
• For many decades after its establishment in 1826, the Straits Settlements did not have its own currency, relying instead on silver dollar currencies from Mexico and various South American states. In addition, the currencies of Hong Kong, the United States, Japan and the United Kingdom were also used.
• In 1899, the Straits Settlements Currency Committee issued the Straits Dollar as the new legal currency in Singapore, Malaya and Borneo, thus ensuring the reliability of the currency in circulation.
• In 1941, the issuance of the Malayan Dollar started and displaced the Straits Dollar. However, this process was interrupted by the Second World War and resumed only after the Japanese Occupation.

This banknote, printed in March 1911, was the first $1,000 banknote at that time, with the serial number 00001. The words “Straits Dollar” printed at the top refer to the Straits Settlements comprising Singapore, Penang and Melaka. (Lianhe Zaobao, 6/7/2008)