Singapore's fourth and current series dollar notes, the Encik Yusof bin Ishak PORTRAIT series
has been in circulation since 1999.
Up to
2014, it's been 16 long years, and that's way too long!! Don't you think so? If it's
going to be any longer, this blog will go out of business!! Is there anything new to write on something that's been around for 16 years??
Fortunately, as we approach 2015, Singapore will
celebrate its 50th year of nation building. As part of the SG50
celebration, I suspect the Monetary
Authority of Singapore (MAS) will issue Singapore's FIFTH series dollar
notes. There isn't a better time, isn't it? So before we speculate what we will
see on the new series, let's take a stroll down memory lane to 1967.
The Orchid Series (1967-1976)
Being the first series, the theme was the
national flower. Singapore being a new nation was like a blooming flower, out
to seduce the world despite the gloom and doom of independence. Orchid was the
national flower and the orchid industry thrived becoming a major exporter until
the late 1980s.
The Coat of Arms of the
Republic was large and prominent on the front. The reverse featured prominent
landscapes and public buildings, a common theme among dollar notes past and present,
with artwork carrying a colonial flavour.
So which is your favourite
Orchid dollar note? For me it has to be the Orchid $5 where the reverse depicts a
bustling scene of the Singapore river. Do you know who is the painter? If you
do, pls tell us on our Facebook page.
The BIRD Series (1976 – 1984)
After a decade of independence, our wings
have become stronger and we are ready to fly to the sky, and to the centre-stage
of the world.
Out of the nine dollar notes in
the series, five notes bear the map of Singapore on the front. Patriotic and
economic themes came into the lime-light. Changi airport, PSA container
terminal, oil refinery, public housing, national parades and multi-racial
dancers were found on the back of the series. And sure enough, Singapore became
the darling of multi-national corporations , leading the pack in foreign
domestic investments in South-East Asia.
The SHIP Series (1984 – 1999)
After two decades of independence, we are
ready to sail the seven seas. Singapore has become a strategic shipping hub
connecting world trade between the East and the West.
The social-economical
landscape has been transformed. The Benjamin-Sheares Bridge depicted on the
back of the $50 bears testimony to Singapore’s ambition of becoming a first
world nation.
When I looked at the theme
of this series and the previous, I see “Total Defence”. Although I’m quite sure
Total Defence was introduced in the nineties, the five pillars of “Military,
Civil, Economic, Social & Psychological” defence were clearly etched out in
the Ship series.
The Yusof
Ishak PORTRAIT Series (1999 to present)
Leaping into
the 21st century, the currency issuing authority decided that we should like most
countries in the world, put a "face" on our paper money. The Yang
di-Pertuan Negara, Inche Yusof bin Ishak was chosen to be the first. Also as a
first, the honour to design the entire portrait series was given to acclaimed
Singaporean artist Eng Siak Loy.
Who doesn't want Inche Yusof? :-)))
If it's really a PORTRAIT series, who will have the honour?
A) Goh Keng Swee, Ong Pang Boon, Yong Nyuk Lin & E. W. Barker
B) Goh Keng Swee, Jek Yeun Thong, Lim Kim San & Othman Wok
C) S. Rajaratnam, Toh Chin Chye, Ong Pang Boon & E. W. Barker
D) Goh Keng Swee, Toh Chin Chye, Yong Nyuk Lin & S. Rajaratnam
If there are more than one person with the right answer, I will conduct a lucky draw to pick the winner. The winner will be announced on 10 August 2014.
I hope you found something interesting about the modern Singapore currency, and had fun reading this blog. :-)
The theme on the reverse is centered on
"Education, Garden City, Sports, Arts & Youth". It has become less
chauvinistic, more scholarly, with less emphasis on propaganda and infrastructure
successes. Our education has also provided more options into the arts, sports
and social sciences. The series showcased our transformation towards a knowledge economy as depicted on the reverse
of the $10,000 note.
If what is said about the design of the currency
notes is true, and it matches the developments of the nation over the last 50
years, then the designs of the currency notes have prophetic powers. How did
the designs of the dollar notes become self-fulfilling prophecies, not for 5
years but for 50 years?? Okay, I will save that for the next blog post. :-)
The FIFTH Series aka Golden Jubilee Series (2015 & beyond)
So the big question is, what will we see in the
Fifth series of Singapore 's polymer dollar notes?
I suspect Singapore's GOLDEN JUBILEE dollar notes will
still be a PORTRAIT series.
A) Will it be one person for the entire series?
B) Will it be one person for each dollar note?
If it's really a PORTRAIT series, who will have the honour?
Before we speculate further, let's take a look at the possible candidates. You like history? Of course you do. Here's a quick revision on the modern history of Singapore. :-)))
Possible Candidates for the Singapore FIFTH Series
Former Presidents of the
Republic of Singapore
1965 - 1970 Yusok bin Ishak
1971 - 1981 Benjamin Henry Sheares
1981 - 1985 C.V. Devan Nair
1985 - 1993 Wee Kim Wee
1993 - 1999 Ong Teng Cheong
1999 - 2011 S.R. Nathan
The first 10 cabinet
ministers of the Republic of Singapore in 1965
- Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew
- Deputy Prime Minister Dr Toh Chin Chye
- Minister of Defence Dr Goh Keng Swee
- Minister for Foreign Affairs S Rajaratnam
- Minister for Education Ong Pang Boon
- Minister for Health Yong Nyuk Lin
- Minister for Finance Lim Kim San
- Minister for Labour Jek Yeun Thong
- Minister for Law & National Development E.W. Barker
- Minister for Culture & Social Affairs Othman Wok
Former Speakers of the
Republic of Singapore
1955 - 1963 Sir George Oehlers
1963 - 1964 E.W. Barker
1964 - 1966 A.P. Rajah
1966 - 1970 Punch Coomaraswamy
1970 - 1989 Dr Yeoh Ghim Seng
1989 - 2002 Tan Soo Khoon
2002 - 2011 Abdullah Tarmugi
2011 - 2012 Michael Palmer
Former Chief Justices of
the Republic of Singapore
1963 - 1990 Wee Chong Jin
1990 - 2006 Yong Pung How
2006 - 2012 Chan Sek Keong
Shortlisted Candidate for Singapore's FIFTH Series (1-Person
Series)
If it's ONE person for the
entire series, then I suspect it will be The Late Dr. Benjamin Henry Sheares (Former
President of the Republic of Singapore, 1971 to 1981).
I've a vivid memory of
him, in black and white, when I watched the National Day Parade on a black &
white TV back in those days when I was a little kid. A very benign and
dignified looking grand-fatherly figure. He was highly respected by the
ordinary folks. And I could still remember my late grandmother who once told me
that the President was a medical doctor at KK Hospital, and she said it with
admiration.
Shortlisted Candidates for Singapore's FIFTH Series (6-Person
Series)
To guess who are the VIPs selected by MAS for the new series is as good as guessing what are the winning numbers
for next week's TOTO!
MAS has just announced that it will no longer issue the $10,000 from 1st October 2014. That means there will only be 6 notes in the new
series: $2, $5, $10, $50, $100 & $1000.
Will MAS bring back the $500 banknote to fill the
gap? Or maybe the $20 or $25? Honestly, I don't think so. I think the current
denominations are good enough. More denominations will not add more value to
the economy, but more costs of printing and maintenance. (And increasing the bleed on the pockets of collectors.)
If the FIFTH series were to come with only 6 dollar notes,
which are the 6 dignitaries you would like to put on our currency? I've thought
of setting up a poll and let you vote for your preferred candidates but I think that's too much work for me.
But it would be good to know what are your guesses? Who would you like to see on our dollar notes?
For me, I would like to see the following forefathers of Singapore on the FIFTH series:
- Dr Benjamin Henry Sheares
- Dr Toh Chin Chye
- Dr Goh Keng Swee
- S. Rajaratnam
- Dr Yeoh Ghim Seng
- Wee Chong Jin
What do you think? Is your list same as mine? How can it be the same?! Copycat! :-)))
Out of the 6, I hope I'll get
at least ONE right.
Anyone want to bet? :-))) No, I don't bet.
Let time do the talking; we will find out soon, in less than 12 months?
Now, if you are still reading this blog post, that's really amazing . .
. most would have given up long ago. Here's the deal, look at the $50
commemorative note below.
If you can tell me who were the FOUR ministers
sitting on the left of founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, in the correct
order, you will win a similar $50 commemorative note (first plastic dollar note). Terms & Conditions
apply.
Too difficult? Okay, I give you multiple choice answers.
B) Goh Keng Swee, Jek Yeun Thong, Lim Kim San & Othman Wok
C) S. Rajaratnam, Toh Chin Chye, Ong Pang Boon & E. W. Barker
D) Goh Keng Swee, Toh Chin Chye, Yong Nyuk Lin & S. Rajaratnam
To qualify, you must 1) Like this blog post, 2) Share this blog post on your FB timeline, and 3) Leave your answer (A, B,
C, or D) on our Facebook Page under this blog post.
If there are more than one person with the right answer, I will conduct a lucky draw to pick the winner. The winner will be announced on 10 August 2014.
I hope you found something interesting about the modern Singapore currency, and had fun reading this blog. :-)
