The Riau rupiah was a distinct currency of the Riau Archipelago between 1963 and 1964. It replaced the Malaya and British Borneo dollar at par and was replaced by the Indonesian rupiah at the rate of 1 Riau rupiah = 14.7 Indonesian rupiah.

History

Riau, though part of Dutch and Indonesian territory, was economically under the influence of neighbouring Malaya. In order to affirm its fiscal stake in the region, a decree was passed on 15 October 1963 to replace the Malaya and British Borneo dollar (the circulating currency) with an Indonesian-issued currency, the Riau rupiah, which replaced the dollar at par. Although the Riau rupiah resembled the Indonesian rupiah in appearance, it had a much higher value. Malayan money was withdrawn from 1 November 1963. The Riau rupiah was exchangeable as a foreign currency with the Indonesian rupiah.

The Riau rupiah was much shorter lived than the West Irian rupiah (which circulated from May 1963 until 1971), and, by Presidential decree effective from 1 July 1964, the Riau rupiah was no longer a valid currency, being replaced by the Indonesian rupiah at a rate of 1 Riau rupiah = 14.7 Indonesian rupiah.

Coins

Coins were issued in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 25 and 50 sen. All were minted in aluminium and dated 1962. They bore the identifying inscription "Kepulauan Riau" on their edge (cf. West Irian rupiah#Coins).

Banknotes

Bank Indonesia notes were printed by Indonesian printer Pertjetakan Kebajoran dated "1960" with the overprint 'Riau' in denominations of 5, 10 and 100 rupiah, all carrying the image of President Sukarno but with colour and other design differences. Lower denomination notes, under Indonesian (and previously Netherlands Indies) law were the issuing privilege of the Indonesian government, and for Riau bore the date "1961" with the overprint "Riau", in 1 and 2 ½ rupiah denominations.

Identical notes, but for the overprint, were used for the West Irian rupiah in 1964. The five notes issued in Riau, the 5, 10, and 100 rupiah notes, minus the "Riau" overprint, plus the 1 and 2½ rupiah note designs, redated "1964", were then also used as Indonesian rupiah notes in 1965.

Green (1) and blue (2½) variants of the 1 and 2½ notes had also incidentally been printed, intended for issue in North Borneo, which Indonesia saw as a possible extension to its territory due to the power vacuum in the region at that time.

Notes of the 'Riau rupiah', 1960, Bank Indonesia, printed by Pertjetakan Kebajoran
Image Value Dimensions Main Colour Description date of
Obverse Reverse Obverse Reverse Serial Signature Printer's mark Watermark Note issue withdrawal
5 rupiah 134 × 67 mm Violet Sukarno with sugar cane, 'RIAU' overprint Female Balinese dancer 3 letters 6 numbers Acting Governor: Soetikno Slamet; Director: Indra Kasoema Pertjetakan Kebajoran Sukarno '1960' 15 October 1963 30 June 1964
10 rupiah 140 × 70 mm Pink 2 female Balinese dancers
100 rupiah 158 × 79 mm Green Batak male and female dancer
These images are to scale at 0.7 pixel per millimetre. For table standards, see the banknote specification table.
Notes of the 'Riau rupiah', 1961, Republik Indonesia, printed by Pertjetakan Kebajoran
Image Value Dimensions Main Colour Description date of
Obverse Reverse Obverse Reverse Serial Signature Printer's mark Watermark Note issue withdrawal
1 rupiah 122 × 61 mm Red Sukarno with sugar cane, 'RIAU' overprint Balinese female dancer 3 letters 6 numbers R. M. Notohamiprodjo no mark no watermark '1961' 15 October 1963 30 June 1964
2½ rupiah 128 × 64 mm Blue Balinese female dancer
These images are to scale at 0.7 pixel per millimetre. For table standards, see the banknote specification table.
Notes of the 'Borneo rupiah', 1961, Republik Indonesia, printed by Pertjetakan Kebajoran
Image Value Dimensions Main Colour Description date of
Obverse Reverse Obverse Reverse Serial Signature Printer's mark Watermark Note issue withdrawal
1 rupiah 122 × 61 mm Green Sukarno with sugar cane Balinese female dancer 3 letters 6 numbers R. M. Notohamiprodjo no mark no watermark '1961'
2½ rupiah 128 × 64 mm Blue Balinese female dancer
These images are to scale at 0.7 pixel per millimetre. For table standards, see the banknote specification table.
Preceded by:
Malaya and British Borneo dollar		 Currency of Riau Archipelago
1963 – 1964		 Succeeded by:
Indonesian rupiah
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