Singapore dollar

Singapore dollar 新加坡元 (Chinese) Dolar Singapura (Malay) சிங்கப்பூர் வெள்ளி (Tamil)
Circulating notes and coins of the Singapore dollar Circulating coins of the Singapore dollar
ISO 4217 Code	SGD
User(s)	Singapore  Brunei
Inflation	2.1%
Source	The World Factbook, 2007.
Pegged by	Brunei dollar at par
Subunit
1/100	cent
Symbol	S$
Nickname	Sing
Coins
Freq. used	5, 10, 20, 50 cents, $1
Rarely used	1 cent (not issued anymore but still usable)
Banknotes
Freq. used	$2, $5, $10, $50
Rarely used	$1, $20, $100, $500, $1000, $10 000
Monetary authority	Monetary Authority of Singapore
Website	www.mas.gov.sg
Mint	Singapore Mint
Website	www.singaporemint.com

The dollar (sign: $; 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.

History

Between 1845 and 1939, Singapore used the Straits dollar.^[1] This was replaced by the Malayan dollar,^[1] and, from 1953, the Malaya and British Borneo dollar, which were issued by the Board of Commissioners of Currency, Malaya and British Borneo.^[1]

Singapore continued to use the common currency upon joining Malaysia in 1963^[1] but, two years after Singapore's expulsion and independence from Malaysia in 1965, the monetary union between Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei broke down.^[1] Singapore established the Board of Commissioners of Currency, Singapore, on April 7, 1967^[2] and issued its first coins and notes.^[1] Nevertheless, the Singapore dollar was exchangeable at par with the Malaysian ringgit until 1973,^[1] although interchangeability with the Brunei dollar is still maintained until now.^[1]

Initially, the Singapore dollar was pegged to the British pound sterling at a rate of S$60 = £7. This peg lasted until the demise of the Sterling Area in the early 1970s, after which the Singapore dollar was linked to the US dollar for a short period of time. As Singapore's economy grew and its trade links diversified to many other countries and regions, Singapore moved towards pegging its currency against a fixed and undisclosed trade-weighted basket of currencies from 1973-1985. From 1985 onwards, Singapore adopted a more market-oriented exchange regime - classified as a Monitoring Band - in which the Singapore dollar is allowed to float (within an undisclosed bandwidth of a central parity) but closely monitored by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) against a concealed basket of currencies of Singapore's major trading partners and competitors. This in theory allows the Singaporean government to have more control over imported inflation and to ensure that Singapore's exports remain competitive. All issued Singapore dollar currency in circulation is fully backed by international assets to maintain public confidence.^[3]

The Board of Commissioners of Currency, Singapore, was dissolved on October 1, 2002 and its functions, property and liabilities had been transferred to the MAS.^[4]

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.

Note:

• 6.81 million 1 cent coins are in circulation as at 1 December 2006, but are no longer issued since 2003.
• 5.86 million 5 cent 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 dollar 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 dollar note. Notes for 2 dollars were introduced in 1990.

Main article: Singapore Portrait Series currency notes

The current Portrait series was introduced in 1999, with the 1 and 500 dollar denominations omitted. These notes feature the face of 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 in circulation. The designs 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.

Commemorative Banknotes

Commemorative banknotes is also released, usually in limited quantities. The first commemorative banknote was released in 24 July 1990, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Singapore's independence. In 08 December 1999, to celebrate the coming millennium, 3 million $2 Millennium Notes were circulated. The note is similar to the $2 portrait series, except that the prefix of the serial number is replaced with a Millennium 2000 logo. 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 can be exchanged at banks in Singapore beginning July 16, 2007, limited to two pieces per transaction.

See also

• Economy of Singapore

References

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