19) Coins of Singapore.

Coins of Singapore

 I visited Singapore with my wife Sumita during October 2006. A visit to Sentosa island, the dolphins , sound and light show, the  Carlsburg tower, the museums, the “duck tours” on the water-way along the Merlion statue, the cuisine, the famous cocktail “the Singapore Sling” , the Bird park, etc. are some of the reasons which make a trip to Singapore , worthwhile.

But, I particularly, retained a brochure of the Botanic Gardens which fascinated me, because I found , during my trip to the Gardens ,that , many varieties of plants/trees  had been successfully grown there, which were not native to Singapore. 

The reason for this is explained in the brochure – The first “Botanical and Experimental Garden” in Singapore was established in 1822 by Sir Stamford Raffles, who is known as the founder of modern Singapore and a keen Naturalist. The Garden closed in 1829, and reopened in 1859 and has, since then, played an important role in fostering agricultural development in Singapore – collecting, growing, experimenting and distributing potentially useful plants. The Gardens spearheaded “orchid breeding and hybridization programmes” and played a key role in Singapore’s Garden City Programme, through the continual introduction of plants of horticultural and botanical value.

The second series of coins (1985 onwards) : 

Little wonder then, that, as, Singapore is showcased , inter alia, as a Garden Country, the second series of coins,  which are currently in circulation , since December 1985, have plants and flowers, as their Central theme . 

It is worthwhile to note, that, while, Singapore achieved the right to self-governance in 1959, from the United Kingdom (U.K.), it has “dollars and cents “as its currency and not “pounds and pence”.

This series was issued predominantly, in December 1985, with some denominations/modifications being added later on.  

The following denominations were issued by the Board of Commissioners of Currency/ Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS):

Aluminium Bronze:  one dollar , 5 cents.

Cupro-nickel: 50 cents, 20 cents, 10 cents.

Copper plated zinc: 1 cent.

During my visit, I have collected  specimens of one dollar, 50 cents , 10 cents and one cent, which I am giving below for reference.

The one dollar coin is made of Aluminium Bronze, weighs 6.30 gms. It has a diameter of 22.40 mm and a thickness of 2.40 mm.  These coins were introduced into circulation since September 1987. The edge is milled and inscribed with the words “Republic of Singapore” and has a lion symbol.  

On the obverse, is the Coat of Arms of Singapore, adopted when Singapore became a Republic in 1959. It has a shield , which has five stars above a crescent on it.  On either side of the shield are a lion and a tiger. The tiger symbolizes the historical connections to neighbouring Malaysia, while the lion represents Singapore. Below this standard is a ribbon with the National motto “Majulah Singapura” (Onward Singapore in Malay). The coin, also, shows Singapore mentioned in four languages viz. Chinese, Malay, Tamil and English. This coin was minted in 1989.

On the reverse, is depicted a large Periwinkle (Lochnera rosea) in the centre, with four small periwinkles in between its leaves, and the denomination “$1” at the bottom of the design and the words “one dollar” above the flower.  An octagonal pattern is on the border, showcasing the design like a picture frame.

The fifty cent coin is made of cupro nickel, weighs 7.29 gms , has a diameter of 24.66 mm ( both weight and diameter are larger than the one dollar coin), with a thickness of 2.06 mm. The date of commencement of issue of these coins was 2^nd December 1985. The edge, which was milled in these earlier coins, underwent a major design change in coins which were issued for circulation wef 28.05.1990. The edge became plain, with the words “Republic of Singapore” and image of a lion being inscribed thereon.

This is a 1986 fifty cent coin , which shows the Coat of Arms of Singapore and Singapore spelt in four different languages ,on the obverse.  It is an old design with milled edge and no inscription.

On the reverse, it shows the Allamanda flower (Allamanda Cathartica) in the centre, with the words “fifty cents” on top of the flower and the numeral “$1” below it. The Allamanda is also known as the butter-cup flower or yellow bell, originally from South America. Its large yellow flowers are in bloom throughout the year. The plant also said to have some medicinal properties , particularly anti-bacterial and anti-cancer properties.

Obverse of a coin issued in 2010 (given to me by a friend who visited Singapore this year(2011). This coin exhibits identical design as the one above except that the edge is plain, with the inscription “Republic of Singapore” and the lion symbol.

                    

The obverse of a twenty cent coin shows the Coat of Arms/Crest of Singapore. On the periphery “Singapore” is spelt in four languages – English, Malay, Chinese and Tamil (an Indian language). The year of issue is mentioned below the Coat of Arms.  

 

The 20 cents coin  on the reverse show-cases the “Powder puff plant” or the “Fairy Duster” (Calliandra Surinamensis) in the centre with the numerals “20” below the flower and the words “TWENTY CENTS” on the upper periphery of the coin. These plants flower all year round and bloom best in spring and summer. The dimensions of this coin are Weight: 4.50 gms; Diameter 21.36 mm, Thickness: 1.72 mm. The coin is made of cupro-nickel.

The ten cent coin, is small and round, like the two mentioned above and weighs 2.60 gms. It has a diameter of 18.50mm and thickness of 1.38mm. The edge is milled. The date of commencement of issue for these coins was 2^nd December 1985.

 

The obverse of 10 cent coins issued 1986, 1987, 1991 and 2005.  Similar to the coins above, with the Coat of arms of Singapore, and Singapore mentioned in four languages, with the year of issue below.  

The reverse shows  the Star Jasmine flower (Jasminum multiflorum) in the centre, with the numeral “10” below it and the words “ten” above it.  Jasmine is Arabic for “Yasmin” or “Gift from God”. This plant grows well in tropical and warm climates. The plant can be grown in the garden or as a house plant. The flower which blooms at night is well liked for its fragrance. It is also a commonly grown plant in India. Jasmine is also grown for its flavor ,which is added to green tea and is a favourite plant of tea growing nations, particularly India and China . The plant has been grown successfully in Singapore, too.  

Jasmine is also the National flower of Pakistan and Tunisia.

The five cent coins were issued for the first time in December 1985. The weight is 1.56 gms, diameter is 16.75 mm, thickness is 1.22mm. The edge is milled.

The obverse of a 5 cent coin issued in 1988.  This coin has become well worn out with use, nevertheless, as it is my only specimen, I have put up its image for reference. This coin, also, shows the Coat of Arms of Singapore, with Singapore spelt in four languages, and the year of issue below the Coat of Arms.

The reverse shows the fruit salad plant (monstera deliciosa) in the centre, with the words “five cents” on top and the numeral “5” below the image of the plant. The plant is commonly grown for interior decoration and as a house plant, and grows successfully in Singapore.

 Obverse of a one cent coin issued in 1995. This coin is part of a set brought for me by Jayant from Singapore.

 

On the reverse of the one cent coin is the “Vanda Miss Joaquim” on either side of the numeral “1” , showcased on it. Vanda Miss Joachim is the National Flower of Singapore, as explained below under the Commemorative coin titled “25 Years of Nation Building”. The words “ONE CENT” appear on the upper periphery of the coin. The edge of this coin is plain. It is a Copper plated Zinc coin; its weight is 1.24 gms; its diameter is 1.10 mm. 

Since April 2002, the one-cent coins are not being minted afresh and when returned by the Public are not being issued again for circulation and being slowly withdrawn from circulation. Nevertheless, they still remain legal tender.

 

The First Series coins: (1967 - 1985):

The first series coins contained six denominations i.e. on dollar, fifty cents, twenty cents, ten cents, five cents and one cent coins. 

All the coins in this series have a similar design on the reverse i.e. the denomination of the coin is in the centre and the year of issue is on the top periphery of the coin. On the left are two stalks of paddy and the country of issue “SINGAPORE” is on the right. Notice that “Singapore” is spelt in only one language – English.

The above is a scan of a 20 cents coin issued in 1983 exhibiting the features mentioned above.

The above is an image of a 10 cents coin issued in 1970 and is almost 40 years old, exhibiting the same style as the above 20 cent coin.

On the obverse, the one dollar coin shows a Singapore Lion symbol flanked by similar stalks/sheaves of rice, one each on either side, as against two on the left side on the common reverse design on all coin issues in this series . The metal used in this coin is cupro-nickel; it weighs 16.85 gms; its diameter is 33.32 mm; and thickness of the coin is 2.38 mm.

The fifty cent coin on the obverse showcased a lionfish which inhabits tropical waters. This is also a cupro-nickel coin; its diameter is 27.76 mm; weight is 9.33 gms; and thickness is 2.03 mm. Its edge is milled.

The 20 cents coin on the obverse shows a swordfish in the coin scan given above against a background symbolizing water. This is also a cupro-nickel coin; It weighs 5.66 gms; it has a diameter of 23.60 mm and a thickness of 1.77 mm. Its edge is milled.

The 10 cents coin on the obverse shows a seahorse with a stylized version of seaweed. The coin has a diameter of 19.41 mm; weight: 2.83 gms; a thickness of 1.39 mm. It is a cupro-nickel coin.

The 5 cents coin on the obverse shows a snake – bird sitting in its nest, preening its feathers. It has a Diameter of 16.26 mm; weight: 1.41 gms; thickness: 1.01 gms. It is made of Cupro-nickel/Cupro-Nickel cladded steel. The edge is milled.

A later design in co-ordination with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation issued in 1971, showed a pomfret in the centre with the inscription “INCREASE PRODUCTION” on the upper periphery of the coin and “MORE FOOD FROM THE SEA” on the lower periphery. The specifications of this coin were: Metal: Aluminium; Diameter: 21.23 mm; Weight: 1.24 gms; thickness: 1.27 mm. The edge is plain.

The one cent coin on the obverse shows a high – rise public housing block with a fountain in front and clouds rising in the background. The metal used is Bronze/Copper cladded steel. The diameter of this coin is 17.18 mm; weight is : 1.94 gms; thickness is 1.11 mm .

Commemorative coins:

The Board of Commissioners of Currency , Singapore (BCCS) and their successors Monetary Authority of Singapore(MAS) have issued several Commemorative coins at various points of time. On 1st June 2012, I was given two interesting Commemorative coins for my collection , which were brought for me by Jayant  from one of his trips to Singapore.

25 years of Nation Building 1959 – 1984:

The obverse image of the coin showing the Coat of Arms of Singapore  showing Dexter a lion and sinister a Tiger as supporters to the shield holding a shield with five stars and a crescent moon.  Below them on the ribbon/scroll is “Majulah Singapura” (Onward Singapore), the motto of Singapore. Further below are the silver Jubilee years “1959-1984”. On the top periphery of the coin is the legend”25 YEARS OF NATION BUILDING”. On the bottom of this face is the country of issue “SINGAPORE”. Notice that, as per the practice of mentioning “Singapore” in four different languages has been dispensed with here, primarily on account of lack of space for writing a large sentence.

Reverse of the above coin showing the denomination of the coin “5 dollars” and an inflorescence of the “Vanda Miss Joachim” orchid. The Vanda Miss Joachim is the first hybrid registered for  Singapore in 1983 hybrid and is named after Miss Joachim , a lady residing in Singapore, who was successful in cultivating the hybrid. The Vanda is the National Flower of Singapore. The first coin which show-case the Vanda Miss Joachim was the 1 cent coin. As mentioned above under the 2^nd series one cent coin, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has stopped the minting of the 1 cent coin from April 2002. The one-cent coin still remains legal tender, however, coins tendered by the public to the Monetary Authority are not returned for circulation, and hence the one cent coins are now referred to as “1 cent Collector’s coins”.

This coin was issued on 1^st August 1984 by the BCCS and its mintage was 2,70,000 pieces. The quality of this coin is “Brilliant Uncirculated”. This coin is made of Cupro-Nickel. The diameter of the coin is 38.7 mm.

The Singapore Mint also issued this coin on 1^st August 1984 in Silver (Proof) with a mintage of 20,000 pieces (92.5% silver, 7.5% copper). Again, in 1986, a special silver proof coin set included the 1 cent coin, with a mintage of 15000 for collectors, primarily to keep the legend of the National flower alive.

25^th Anniversary of Singapore’s Independence:

The obverse of this coin shows the Coat of Arms/Crest of Singapore. On the periphery “Singapore” is spelt in four languages – English, Malay, Chinese and Tamil (an Indian language). The year of issue 1990 is mentioned below the Coat of arms.

On the reverse is depicted the skyline of Singapore, 25^th National Day logo, with the slogan “One People, One Nation, One Singapore”. The years "1865-1990" are mentioned on the bottom of the coin.On the lower periphery are the words "TWENTY - FIVE YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE".

The edge lettering is “25 Years Republic of Singapore” and the mint mark of a Lion (Merlion).The composition of this coin is Aluminium Bronze; its Diameter is 33.32 mm; its thickness is 2.55 mm ; weight is 15.33 gms.

These commemorative coins were issued on 24^th July 1990 and this theme was showcased variously in precious metals as under:

$10 coin was issued as a Proof coin in silver with a mintage of 50000 pieces, $250 was issued as a Proof coin in Gold with a mintage of 6600 pieces, $500 was issued as a Platinum Proof coin with a mintage of 2000 coins. Circulation coins, like the coin shown above had a mintage of 1,000,000 pieces.

Currency Notes:

The Board of Commissioners of Currency, Singapore, and since October 2002 , its successor, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) have taken out four series of currency notes . The first series was called the “orchid series”(introduced in 1967) , the second was called the “ bird series” (introduced in 1976), the third was the “ship series” (introduced in 1985) , while the fourth one , which is currently in circulation, is called the “portrait series”(introduced in 1999 and presently in circulation).

During my trip to Singapore, in October 2006, I used all denominations of Singapore’s currency upto       $ 100, but I have in my collection a representative specimen of $5 ,( because it showcased Singapore as a “Garden City”) , an  image of  which I am putting up here. The note is made on paper, as polymer currency in this denomination was introduced, after about a year of my visit, in 2007, and is green in colour.

The obverse has the face of Yusof bin Ishaq, the first President of the Republic of Singapore, a gold ringed “cowrie”, a certificate of issue of five dollars, from the Chairman, MAS, on the top left hand side, Singapore is written in four languages, the coat of Arms with the words “Majulah Singapura” (onward Singapore).

The reverse has the words “Garden City” and showcases a tree, flowering plants and Merlion, the symbol of Singapore, with the numeral “5”.  Urban development in the background, indicates, that trees and gardens have equal or more priority over urban development.

I do not have specimens of other currency notes, as I have mentioned above, but the colours, denominations and civic values/spearheads, which they focus on, in the Portrait series, are as follows:

$2 – Purple/ Education.

$10 – Red/Sports.

$50 – Blue/ Arts.

$100 – Orange/Youth.

$1000 – Pink / Government.

$10000- Gold/Economics.



Links:

1) Commemorative Banknotes, Coins and Stamps issued on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee (50 Years) of Singapore's Independence