1000 Malaysian Ringgit (2nd series)

The 1000 Malaysian Ringgit banknote from the second series represents one of the highest denominations ever issued by Bank Negara Malaysia and reflects the country’s ambitions, governance, and national identity during the late 20th century. This series is particularly notable for its complex engraving, large format, and strong emphasis on Malaysia’s political institutions and monarchy. Notes from this issue have long since been withdrawn from circulation and are now primarily encountered through collections, estates, and long-held reserves.

The front of the banknote features a detailed engraved portrait of Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Malaysia’s first Yang di-Pertuan Agong, shown in ceremonial attire with traditional headgear and decorations. The portrait is framed by dense ornamental guilloché patterns and floral motifs that extend across much of the note, serving both decorative and anti-counterfeiting purposes. The denomination “Seribu Ringgit” is prominently displayed in Malay, alongside Arabic numerals “1000,” with the Governor’s signature positioned beneath the central text. Serial numbers appear vertically and horizontally, contrasting clearly against the intricate background.

The reverse of the 1000 Ringgit note depicts the Malaysian Parliament building complex in Kuala Lumpur, including the distinctive tall tower and angular assembly hall roof. The architectural illustration is finely rendered, with strong linear detail and shading that gives depth and scale to the scene. Surrounding the building are layered security patterns, floral elements, and geometric borders, with the denomination repeated in each corner. The hibiscus motif, Malaysia’s national flower, is subtly incorporated, reinforcing the note’s national symbolism.

Second-series high-denomination Malaysian banknotes such as this were never widely used in everyday transactions and were primarily intended for institutional, banking, or reserve purposes. As Malaysia modernised its currency system and introduced later series with enhanced security and lower maximum denominations, notes like the 1000 Ringgit were formally withdrawn and are no longer accepted by banks or travel money bureaus.

If you hold this withdrawn note, it can still be exchanged through our specialist service. We help individuals, businesses, and charities convert legacy banknotes into value, offering an instant online valuation and a straightforward process to exchange foreign coins and notes securely.

• Indicate the quantity of 1000 Malaysian Ringgit banknotes you want to exchange

• Click the ‘Add to your account’ button

• Your online account now shows the exchange value

We regularly handle high-value and withdrawn currencies from Malaysia for private sellers, organisations, and charities alike. For uncommon or higher-denomination notes such as this, additional checks may be required to confirm authenticity, which can slightly extend processing times.