Singapore Currency

Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) is the only rightful authority to issue currencies in Singapore. As of date four series of currency notes have been issued for circulation. The first one among them being the "Orchid" series, the second one being the "Bird series', the third one being the “Ship" and the fourth one being the "Portrait". Singapore issued the first polymer note of $50 denomination in 1990.

 

The series has nine denominations. The most important aspect is the spray of orchid in the centre on the front side of each note. On the front side, all the notes have Singapore Arms, a watermark of a lion’s head and the signature of the Minister for Finance and Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of Currency, Singapore. Other than $10,000 note which has two security threads, all the notes have a single thread embedded vertically across the note.

 

The Bird Series also has nine denominations, except for the fact that $20 note was introduced to replace the $25 note of the Orchid series. The main characteristic is the bird on the left front side. The birds mentioned on the note are symbolic of strength, adaptability and independence which in turn represent the Young Republic of Singapore. On the front side, all notes have the Singapore Arms, a watermark of a lion's head and the signature and seal of Minister For Finance and Chairman Of the Board Of Commissioners Of Currency, Singapore. Other than the $1000 and $10000 notes which have two security threads, each of the other notes have a security thread embedded vertically across it.

 

 

The Ship series also has nine denominations. But in the Ship series the $20 note was discontinued and in its place a $2 note was introduced. The pictorial and aesthetic series is based on maritime vessels and the modern development of Singapore. The vignettes on the front of the Ship notes depict vessels that have plied the waters of Singapore over the centuries. The series starts with the merchant craft of bygone days, and progresses to the modern bulk carrier which is featured on the highest denomination. The series pays contribution of merchant shipping to the development of Singapore from an entrepot trading centre to the busiest port in the world.

The Portrait series has to ensure equilibrium between simplicity and clarity in design and sophistication in security features. The public recognition security feature should be operative in such a way that it is easy for users to recognize and remember. With respect to this a standard designing approach was introduced.