20 Sen Kijang - Matrix/Die Trial

The 1967 Malaysian 20 Sen Kijang die trial represents a pivotal moment in the nation's numismatic history, emerging shortly after the formation of Malaysia and the establishment of Bank Negara Malaysia. During this transitional period, the government sought to replace the currency of the Board of Commissioners of Currency, Malaya and British Borneo with a distinct national identity. The design process focused on symbols of sovereignty, leading to the selection of the Kijang—the barking deer—as a central motif derived from the golden Kijang coins historically associated with the Kelantan Sultanate.

These trial pieces were produced as technical evaluations by the Royal Mint to test the striking properties of the chosen metal compositions and the clarity of the new dies. Because they were minted before the official mass production for public circulation, they often exhibit distinct die states or metal finishes that differ from the standard issue. While the design itself was widely praised for successfully blending traditional Malay iconography with modern aesthetic standards, these specific trial specimens were never intended for circulation and remain rare evidence of the rigorous quality control and design refinement processes undertaken by the nascent central bank.