The 1918 Straits Settlements Five Cents is a late‑George V wartime issue struck in cupro‑nickel, part of the transition away from silver in lower denominations. This small, durable coin circulated widely across Singapore, Penang, and Malacca during the final year of World War I.

The obverse shows the crowned bust of King George V facing left with the legend GEORGE V KING AND EMPEROR OF INDIA. The reverse features the distinctive large numeral “5” at centre, surrounded by the circular legend STRAITS SETTLEMENTS FIVE CENTS 1918 — a clean, modern layout used only on the Five Cents denomination.

Collectors value the 1918 issue for its wartime context, modest mintage, and its place within the final decades of Straits Settlements coinage before the introduction of Malayan currency in 1939.

Obverse

Crowned bust of George V facing left. Legend: GEORGE V KING AND EMPEROR OF INDIA.

Reverse

Large central numeral 5. Circular legend: STRAITS SETTLEMENTS FIVE CENTS 1918.

Specifications

• Country: Straits Settlements
• Denomination: Five Cents
• Year: 1918
• Monarch: George V
• Metal: Cupro‑nickel
• Weight: 1.36 g
• Diameter: 15.5 mm
• Edge: Reeded
• Mint: Royal Mint, London
• Obverse: Bust of George V left
• Reverse: Large numeral 5; circular legend
• Mintage: 6,400,000
• Catalogue References:
  • KM: 28
  • Pridmore: Type 107

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