2026-Dated Rupiah Notes with Former Officials' Signatures Spark Collector Frenzy, BI Clarifies Validity

Bank Indonesia (BI) has affirmed that Rupiah banknotes printed in 2026, bearing the signatures of former Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa and ex-BI Governor Perry Warjiyo, remain valid as a means of payment, even though both officials are no longer in their positions. Currently, a number of collectors are reportedly seeking these banknotes. "Rupiah banknotes of the 2026 print year that bear the signatures of Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa as Minister of Finance and Perry Warjiyo as Governor of Bank Indonesia remain a valid means of payment in the territory of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia," stated Ramdan Denny Prakoso, Executive Director and Head of BI's Communication Department, to CNNIndonesia.com on Tuesday (22/9). Denny explained that the inclusion of the Finance Minister's and BI Governor's signatures on Rupiah banknotes is regulated by Law Number 7 of 2011 concerning Currency, as amended by Law Number 4 of 2023 on the Development and Strengthening of the Financial Sector (P2SK). "The signatures printed on Rupiah banknotes are adjusted to the officials holding office at the time of the Rupiah banknote's designation and production process," Denny said. He elaborated that paper Rupiah banknotes bear the signatures of the government, represented by the Minister of Finance, and Bank Indonesia, represented by the BI Governor. Therefore, the names of the officials appearing on the currency follow who was in office when the currency was designated and produced. BI assures that Rupiah notes from the 2026 print year featuring Purbaya's and Perry's signatures retain their legal status. Denny also emphasized that changes in the Finance Minister or BI Governor after these notes have been produced and circulated do not affect their validity. This means the public can continue to use these notes in daily transactions. Changes in state officials do not render the already circulated Rupiah invalid. For subsequent issuances, BI will align the signatures on the currency with the officials holding office at the time of the Rupiah currency's management and production process. "Rupiah banknotes produced hereafter will be adjusted to the signatures of the officials in office according to the provisions and stages of Rupiah currency management," Denny stated. The banknotes that have become a topic of discussion on social media and are being sought after by collectors are Rp100,000 denomination Rupiah notes from the 2022 Emission Year (TE). However, these notes have a 2026 print year and bear the signatures of Purbaya and Perry Warjiyo. Some netizens have expressed their interest in owning and collecting these notes, considering them rare because they bear the signatures of both former officials. "Yeay, finally found one with Purbaya's signature, it's rare, he only served for 1 year and just printed new money, Mr. Purbaya," commented one X user.