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:''SGD and S$ redirect here. For other uses of SGD, see SGD (disambiguation)''
The 'dollar' (currency code ''SGD'') is the currency of Singapore. It is normally abbreviated with the dollar sign $, or alternatively S$ to distinguish it from other dollar-denominated currencies. It is divided into 100 cents.

Contents

History

Coins

Banknotes

Trivia

See also

References

External links

History

Between 1845 and 1939, Singapore used the Straits dollar. This was replaced by the Malayan dollar, and, from 1953, the Malaya and British Borneo dollar, which were issued by a central Board of Commissioners of Currency.
Singapore continued to use the common currency upon joining Malaysia in 1963 but, two years after Singapore's expulsion and independence from Malaysia in 1965, the monetary union between Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei broke down. Singapore established the Board of Commissioners of Currency, Singapore, on April 7, 1967 and issued its first coins and notes. Nevertheless, the Singapore dollar was exchangeable at par with the Malaysian ringgit until 1973. Interchangeability with the Brunei dollar is still maintained. Consequently, the dollar was initially pegged to the British pound at a rate of 60 dollars = 7 pounds.
The Board of Commissioners of Currency, Singapore, was dissolved on October 1, 2002 and its functions, property and liabilities had been transferred to the Monetary Authority of Singapore.

Coins

In 1967, the first series of coins was introduced in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents and 1 dollar. Except for the bronze 1 cent, these coins were struck in cupro-nickel. In 1985, a second series of coins was introduced in the same denominations. The sizes of the coins were reduced (most substantially for the larger denominations) and the 5 cents was struck in aluminium-bronze. In 1987, the 1 dollar coin was further reduced in size and switched to being struck in aluminium-bronze.
The current series of coins feature the Coat of Arms of Singapore on the obverse, and a floral theme on the reverse.

Currently Circulating Coins [1]
Value	Technical parameters				Description			Date of issue
	Diameter	Thickness	Mass	Composition	Edge	Obverse	Reverse
1 cent	15.9 mm	1.1 mm	1.24 g	Copper-plated zinc	Plain	Coat of Arms, "Singapore" in 4 official languages	Value, Vanda Miss Joaquim	September 28, 1987
5 cents	16.75 mm	1.22 mm	1.56 g	Aluminium bronze	Reeded	Coat of Arms, "Singapore" in 4 official languages	Value, Monstera deliciosa	December 2, 1985
10 cents	18.5 mm	1.38 mm	2.6 g	Cupronickel	Reeded	Coat of Arms, "Singapore" in 4 official languages	Value, Jasminum multiflorum	December 2, 1985
20 cents	21.36 mm	1.72 mm	4.5 g				Value, Calliandra surinamensis
50 cents	24.66 mm	2.06 mm	7.29 g		Reeded		Value, Allamanda Cathartica	December 2, 1985
50 cents					Inscribed "REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE" and the lion symbol			May 28, 1990
$1	22.40 mm	2.4 mm	6.3 g	Aluminium bronze	Inscribed "REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE" and the lion symbol	Coat of Arms, "Singapore" in 4 official languages	Value, Lochnera rosea	September 28, 1987

Note:

★ 6.81 million 1 cent coins are in circulation as at 1 December 2006, but has not been issued since 2003.

★ 5.86 million 5 dollar coins are still in circulation as at 1 December 2006, but are no longer issued.

Banknotes

On June 12, 1967, the first series of notes, known as the Orchid series, was introduced in denominations of 1, 5, 10,50, 100 and 1000 dollars. 25 and 500 dollars notes were introduced in 1972, followed by 10,000 dollars in 1973. Between 1976 and 1980, the Bird series was introduced, including a 20 dollar note introduced in 1979. This series did not include a 25 dollar note. The Ship series was introduced between 1985 and 1989 in the same denominations except for the absence of a 20 dollars note. Notes for 2 dollars were introduced in 1990.
Main articles: Singapore Portrait Series currency notes

The current Portrait series was introduced in 1999, with the 1 and 500 dollars denominations omitted. These notes feature the face of Encik Yusof bin Ishak, the first president of the Republic of Singapore, on the obverse, and the reverse depicts a feature of civic virtue. There are both paper and polymer notes that in circulation. The design of the polymer notes are very similar to the corresponding paper note except for the slightly slippery feel and a small transparent window design in the corner of the banknote. Polymer notes are progressively replacing the paper banknotes in circulation.

On 27 June 2007, to commemorate 40 years of currency agreement with Brunei, the $20 note was launched; the back is identical to the Bruneian $20 note launched concurrently. A circulation version of the $20 note will be able to be exchanged at banks in Singapore beginning July 16, 2007.

Trivia

The one dollar coin is inscribed with an octagon, which looks like a ba gua, a Chinese lucky charm. Feng Shui masters are believed to have said that the construction of MRT tunnels through downtown Singapore would have an adverse effect; they recommended that every household display a bagua to negate this. Bearing in mind that there were many locals who did not adhere to this Chinese belief, this was not possible. Thus the design of the one dollar coin.

See also

★ Economy of Singapore

References

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External links

★ Monetary Authority of Singapore Exchange Policy

★ Will's Online World Paper Money Gallery - Images of banknotes from around the world including a large collection of banknotes from Singapore