My collection now takes a journey to the island of Borneo, though the roots of this coin remain firmly planted in Birmingham.

This piece belongs to the fascinating era of the “White Rajahs” of Sarawak. It is a unique chapter in history where a private English family—the Brookes—ruled a sovereign state on the island of Borneo for over a century. For my collection, this coin serves two purposes: it represents the Sarawak series, and it adds another piece to my study of the Heaton Mint.

The Historical Context: The English Rajahs

In 1841, James Brooke, an English adventurer, was granted the government of Sarawak by the Sultan of Brunei. He was succeeded by his nephew, Charles Brooke, whose portrait appears on this coin. Charles ruled for nearly 50 years (1868–1917), bringing stability and infrastructure to the state.

Charles was a Victorian gentleman ruling a jungle kingdom. To facilitate trade, he commissioned coinage that followed British standards but was designed for local use. Since Sarawak had no mint, the work was outsourced to the industrial heart of England: Birmingham.

The Coin: 1885 Sarawak One Cent

  • Denomination: One Cent
  • Ruler: Rajah Charles Brooke
  • Year: 1885
  • Mint: Ralph Heaton & Sons (Birmingham)
  • Reference: KM 3

The Heaton Mystery:
Keen-eyed collectors usually look for the “H” mintmark to identify a Heaton coin. However, this 1885 example does not have one. Records indicate that Heaton produced the vast majority of Sarawak copper during this period. Often, when Heaton had the sole contract for a specific year or denomination, the “H” was deemed unnecessary and omitted. It is a “Heaton ghost”—born in Birmingham, even if it doesn’t wear the badge.

Condition & Grading

This coin is a classic example of “Details vs. Damage.”

The Assessment:

  • Obverse: The portrait of Charles Brooke is actually quite strong. You can clearly see the texture of his hair and the details of his beard (usually the first spots to wear smooth). The ear is distinct. In terms of pure wear, the coin has excellent definition.
  • The Damage: Unfortunately, there are distinct scratches across the Rajah’s face and forehead. In numismatics, this is often called “graffiti” or simply “surface damage.” It likely happened decades ago, perhaps by a child or through rough handling in a market.
  • Reverse: The wreath of indigenous plants is sharp, and the date 1885 is bold. The chocolate tone is pleasant and even.

Grade: Very Fine (VF) – With Scratches
Technically, the detail is strong enough for a VF grade, but the scratches would be noted as a “detractor” or “net grade of Fine.”

The Verdict

While the scratches prevent this from being a top-tier investment piece, they don’t erase the history. This is a coin issued by an English family ruling in Borneo, minted in Birmingham, and used in the damp markets of Kuching. It is a wonderful example of the global reach of the Heaton Mint.

Further Reading & Data: