Tharma became Minister of Finance in 2007. So why did it take so long for Tharma's signature to appear in the notes? If you have noticed, beginning from the Portrait series, the signature on our banknotes are no longer that of the Minister for Finance; it has become that of the Chairman's of MAS, the central bank and note issuing authority of Singapore.
So when did Tharma become Chairman of MAS?
He took over from ESM Goh Chok Tong in May 2011.
Past Chairman of MAS:
Hon Sui Sen . . . . . . . . . Jan 1971 to Jul 1980 (~9.5 years)
Goh Keng Swee . . . . . . . Aug 1980 to Jan 19985 (~4.5 years)
Richard Hu . . . . . . . . . . Jan 1985 to Dec 1997 (~8 years)
Lee Hsien Loong . . . . . . Jan 1998 to Aug 2004 (~6.5 years)
Goh Chok Tong . . . . . . . Aug 2004 to May 2011 (~7 years)
(The above info were taken from MAS website)
The $50 note I got from the ATM bears the serial no. 4AM747XXX.
Have you seen notes of other denomination bearing Tharman's signature? Are there any uncut sheets or solid running numbers notes bearing Tharma's signature released for auction?
If you know any information on the new Tharman's notes, please tell us on our Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/UncutCurrency
