Singapore is also known as the Lion City. It is derived from a Malay word 'Singapura' which in Sanskrit means 'Sinhapur' i.e. lion city. It is an island country made up of 63 islands.
Before independence in 1965, Singapore was the capital of the British Straits Settlements, a Crown Colony. It was also the main British naval base in East Asia. Because of its status as the main British naval base in the region, as well as hosting the largest dry dock in the world at that time in the form of the Singapore Naval Base, it was described in the press as the 'Gibraltar of the East'. The opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 caused global trade to boom, and Singapore became a major world trade node, and the Port of Singapore became one of the largest and busiest ports in the world.
Here are some coins from this island city in my collection.
100 Cents = 1 Dollar (S$)
Before independence in 1965, Singapore was the capital of the British Straits Settlements, a Crown Colony. It was also the main British naval base in East Asia. Because of its status as the main British naval base in the region, as well as hosting the largest dry dock in the world at that time in the form of the Singapore Naval Base, it was described in the press as the 'Gibraltar of the East'. The opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 caused global trade to boom, and Singapore became a major world trade node, and the Port of Singapore became one of the largest and busiest ports in the world.
Here are some coins from this island city in my collection.
100 Cents = 1 Dollar (S$)
1 Cent (Ribbon Downwards)
Years: 1992-2007
Metal: Copper plated Zinc
Weight: 1.24 gm
Diameter: 15.9 mm
Thickness: 1.1 mm
Engraver: Christopher Ironside (reverse)
Metal: Copper plated Zinc
Weight: 1.24 gm
Diameter: 15.9 mm
Thickness: 1.1 mm
Engraver: Christopher Ironside (reverse)
This coin is from the 'Floral Series' coinage of Singapore which was put into circulation in 1985.The brief was to highlight the botanical diversity of Singapore as part of a government effort to foster national pride and identity. The Vanda Miss Joaquim orchid was chosen as the country's national flower in 1981. It continued to appear on coins since then.
Obverse features the 'Singapore Coat of Arms' in the centre surrounded by the word "SINGAPORE" in the four official languages (SINGAPURA, 新加坡, SINGAPORE, சிங்கப்பூர்) around the circumference. The year-date is below the Singapore Arms.
Lettering: Coat of Arms bears the lettering MAJULAH SINGAPURA (Malay for "Onward Singapore").
Reverse features two orchids "Vanda Miss Joaquim", Singapore's national flower along with the denomination value in center.
Minting of this coin stopped in year 2002.
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| Vanda Miss Joaquim - Singapore Orchid |
Vanda 'Miss Joaquim' (Chinese: 卓锦万黛兰; pinyin: zhuójǐn wàndàilán), also known as the Singapore Orchid and the Princess Aloha Orchid is a hybrid orchid cultivar that is Singapore's national flower.The flower is named after Agnes Joaquim who found the orchid in a clump of bamboo.
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| Singapore Coat of Arm |
The central emblem of the coat of arms is a red shield with five white stars resting above a white crescent, similar to the crescent and stars used on the Singapore flag and such other national symbols as the national ensign for civilian ships. Red symbolises "universal brotherhood and equality of man" and white "pervading and everlasting purity and virtue". The crescent represents a new moon, which reflects "a young nation on the ascendant", while the five-pointed stars "stand for the nation's ideals of democracy, peace, progress, justice and equality". The supporters of the shield are a lion and a tiger: the tiger symbolises the historical connections to Malaysia (which Singapore was a state of from 1963-1965) while the lion represents Singapore itself. Below the supporters is a blue ribbon on which the national motto, Majulah Singapura, is written in gold. Majulah Singapura is also the title of the national anthem; it means "Onward Singapore" in Malay, the national language of Singapore.
Click here to know more about Singapore Orchid.
Click here to know more about Singapore Coat of Arms.
Click here to know about Singapore.
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5 Cents (Ribbon Upwards)
Years: 1985-1991
Metal: Aluminium-bronze
Weight: 1.56 gm
Diameter: 16.75 mm
Thickness: 1.22 mm
Engraver: Christopher Ironside (reverse)
Metal: Aluminium-bronze
Weight: 1.56 gm
Diameter: 16.75 mm
Thickness: 1.22 mm
Engraver: Christopher Ironside (reverse)
This coin also belongs to the 'Floral Series' coinage of Singapore which was put into circulation in 1985.
Obverse features The Singapore coat of Arms in the center with upward ribbon in it. Details are same as that of 1 Cent coin.
Obverse features The Singapore coat of Arms in the center with upward ribbon in it. Details are same as that of 1 Cent coin.
Reverse features Fruit Salad Plant (Monstera Deliciosa) along with the denomination value.
There are two versions of 5 cent coin with a difference in design of coat of arms. The older version has upward ribbon while the newer has downward.
There are two versions of 5 cent coin with a difference in design of coat of arms. The older version has upward ribbon while the newer has downward.
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| 5 cent versions |
Fruit Salad Plant:
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| Fruit Salad Plant |
The plant is commonly grown for interior decoration in public buildings and as a houseplant.it is often cultivated outdoors. In ideal conditions it flowers about three years after it is planted. Flowering is rare when grown indoors.
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| Fruit Salad - Fruit |
The flesh of its fruit is similar to pineapple in texture, can be cut away from the core and eaten. It has a fruity taste similar to jackfruit and pineapple.
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10 Cents (Ribbon Upwards)
Years: 1985-1991
Metal: Copper-nickel
Weight: 2.6 gm
Diameter: 18.5 mm
Thickness: 1.38 mm
Engraver: Christopher Ironside (reverse)
Metal: Copper-nickel
Weight: 2.6 gm
Diameter: 18.5 mm
Thickness: 1.38 mm
Engraver: Christopher Ironside (reverse)
This coin also belongs to the 'Floral Series' coinage of Singapore.
Obverse: Details are same as that of 5 Cents coin.
Reverse features The Star Jasmine (Jasminum multiflorum) flower along with the denomination.
There are two versions of 10 cent coin with a difference in design of coat of arms. The older version has upward ribbon while the newer has downward.
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| 10 Cent versions |
The Star Jasmine:
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| Star Jasmine |
This flower is fragrant flower with a tube-like corolla opening out into five petal-like lobes.A valuable perfume oil is extracted from the steam distilled or tinctured flowers and used in high end perfumery.Authentic Thai Jasmine rice is made by steeping 20 flowers in a litre of water overnight. It is also found in Japan, Korea, southern China and Vietnam.
Click here to know more about Star Jasmine.
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20 Cents (Ribbon Downwards)
Years: 1992-2012
Metal: Copper-nickel
Weight: 4.5 gm
Diameter: 21.36 mm
Thickness: 1.72 mm
Engraver: Christopher Ironside (reverse)
Metal: Copper-nickel
Weight: 4.5 gm
Diameter: 21.36 mm
Thickness: 1.72 mm
Engraver: Christopher Ironside (reverse)
Obverse: Details are same as that of 5 Cents coin.
Reverse: A Powder-puff Plant (Calliandra surinamensis) along with denomination.
This coin also belongs to the 'Floral Series' coinage of Singapore.
There are two versions of 10 cent coin with a difference in design of coat of arms. The older version has upward ribbon while the newer has downward.
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| 20 Cent versions |
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| Powder-puff plant |
This plant is a low branching evergreen tropical shrub that is named after Suriname, a country in Northern South America.The plant usually has complexly branched multiple trunks and grows to a height of about 3 meters.The flowers are short lived and sticky and combined with their quantity give this plant a reputation for making a mess especially on vehicles parked under it.
Click here to know more about Powder-puff plant.
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50 Cents (Ribbon Downwards)
Years: 1992-Onwards
Metal: Copper-nickel
Weight: 7.29 gm
Diameter: 24.66 mm
Thickness: 2.06 mm
Engraver: Christopher Ironside (reverse).
Metal: Copper-nickel
Weight: 7.29 gm
Diameter: 24.66 mm
Thickness: 2.06 mm
Engraver: Christopher Ironside (reverse).
The Edge of this coins is lettered which has 'Republic of Singapore' written on it.
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| Lettered Edge |
Obverse: Details are same as that of 5 Cents coin.
Reverse features The Yellow Allamanda (Allamanda cathartica) along with the denomination.
Mintage of this coin is stopped since year 2007.
Mintage of this coin is stopped since year 2007.
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| The Yellow Allamanda |
The Yellow Allamanda is an ornamental plant native from Brazil. It is mainly used to treat malaria.Its large flowers are very fragrant. This South American plant is thought to blossom best in full sunshine, and well drained soil.Due to the trumpet-shaped flowers, it is also called as 'The golden trumpet plant'.
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Here are all coins together to get the idea of their comparative sizes.
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