The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) being the sole banknote issuer, based on the information published in it's website, unfortunately does not keep a complete record of all the commemorative and special edition banknotes and uncut sheets issued. Therefore I will start a new series on old advertisements and stories that were published in the local newspapers, to bring you back to the good old days!
To start the ball rolling, an advertisement on the Ship $100 28-In-1 uncut sheet; the King of Singapore Uncut Sheets!
The headings:
The FIRST & ONLY
Specially Over-Printed & Very Low Mintage
Singapore S$100 28-In-1 Uncut Sheets
". . . 1997 marks not only the 100 years of currency board in Singapore, but also the 30th Anniversary of The Board of Commissioners of Currency, Singapore (BCCS)."
Official issue price: S$5,488
Mintage: 100 sheets only
Sole Sales Agent: Times Travel Pte Ltd.
Conditions of Sales: Each person is entitled to order 1 piece only.
I wondered then and I still wondered now, how would a travel agent became the sole sales agent of a totally unrelated product. Tell me if you know the story. :-)
Selling at an issue price of S$5,488 fifteen years ago (1997 - 2012) was by no means an affordable item, even considering current living standards, it is not cheap. But with a face value of S$2,800, the premium is only 1.96 times; cheap by collectible standards! Typically the premiums paid for notes and coins are well above 2 to 10 times intrinsic or face value. So this is really a good buy, in my opinion. But due to the higher price range, this uncut sheet is not for the average Joe (no offends intended). For the same amount of money, collectors can buy a lot of others.
Considering a brand new Rolex GMT Master 16700 stainless steel watch was sold at $3,800 in 1997; an improved version of the latest Rolex GMT Master II 116710 LN is selling for about $10k. That's an increase of 263%. Due largely to the higher acceptance and popularity of luxury products.
Notes and uncut sheets issued 10 to 15 years ago are laggards and prices remain bearish. The fever of the 90s' have passed and the collectors have become old. But there are young collectors emerging; amazed and intrigued by the beauty and art of "money", the desire to collect and build a collection over time remains.
