Rare Rupiah Bills with Former Officials' Signatures Spark Collector Frenzy; BI Affirms Legal Tender Status

Bank Indonesia (BI) has addressed the growing interest among collectors for 2026-printed Rupiah banknotes featuring the signatures of former Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa and ex-BI Governor Perry Warjiyo, affirming their continued legal tender status. BI Executive Director and Head of the Communication Department, Ramdan Denny Prakoso, explained that the inclusion of signatures from the Finance Minister and BI Governor on Rupiah banknotes is regulated by Law Number 7 of 2011 on Currency, as amended by Law Number 4 of 2023 on the Development and Strengthening of the Financial Sector (P2SK). "The signatures on Rupiah banknotes are adjusted according to the officials holding office at the time of the approval and production process of Rupiah banknotes," Denny told CNNIndonesia.com on Tuesday (22/9). He elaborated that Rupiah banknotes bear the signatures of the government, represented by the Finance Minister, and Bank Indonesia, represented by the BI Governor. Therefore, the names appearing on the currency reflect who held these positions during the currency's approval and production. BI reiterated that Rupiah banknotes from the 2026 print year bearing the signatures of Purbaya and Perry remain valid as a means of payment throughout the Republic of Indonesia. "Rupiah banknotes from the 2026 print year featuring the signatures of Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa as Finance Minister and Perry Warjiyo as Governor of Bank Indonesia remain valid means of payment in the territory of the Republic of Indonesia," Denny asserted. Denny also emphasized that the subsequent replacement of the Finance Minister or BI Governor after the banknotes are produced and circulated does not affect their validity. Consequently, the public can continue to use these banknotes in daily transactions, as changes in state officials do not invalidate circulating Rupiah. For future issuances, BI will align the signatures on banknotes with the officials in office during the currency's management and production stages. "Rupiah banknotes produced subsequently will be adjusted with 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 by collectors are Rp100,000 denomination paper Rupiah from the Emission Year (TE) 2022. However, these specific bills bear the print year 2026 and include the signatures of Purbaya and Perry Warjiyo. Several netizens have expressed their desire to own these bills, considering them rare as they feature the signatures of both former officials who held their positions for a limited time during a new currency print cycle.