Circulation Currency: Notes

The Portrait Series notes are the fourth series of currency notes launched on 9 September 1999. This series has only seven denominations as the $1 and $500 denominations were excluded from this series. It marks the first time a portrait is featured as its main design theme.

About the Note Designs

The portrait of Singapore's first President, the late Encik Yusof Bin Ishak, was chosen to honour his invaluable contribution towards nation-building.

Portraits are used in the note designs to act as an effective security feature for the protection of currency notes against counterfeiting. Unlike animals or inanimate objects, the distinctive fine lines of the facial expressions on portraits are instantly recognisable and difficult to reproduce. Any slight change (such as a line, a dot or even a slight variation in colour) when producing a portrait, will alter the expression of the portrait.

The Portrait Series strikes a balance between simplicity and clarity in design on one hand, and sophistication in security features on the other. At the same time, the security features must be effective and easy for people to recognise and remember. To help meet these requirements, a standard design approach was adopted across all denominations of the Portrait Series.

Key Features

The front of all Portrait Series notes features:

The Singapore Coat of Arms.
A watermark of the portrait.
The Singapore Lion symbol.
The word Singapore in the four official languages.
The signature and seal of the Chairman, Board of Commissioners of Currency Singapore (BCCS) or of the Chairman, MAS.

The back of each Portrait Series note denomination features a unique theme based on the first President's biography. The themes are Education, Garden City, Sports, Arts, Youth, Government and Economics.

Find out about the security features in the Portrait Series Paper Notes and Portrait Series Polymer Notes

Key Facts

The Portrait Series notes were designed by Mr Eng Siak Loy, a local artist.
The entire lyrics of the national anthem are printed in microtext on the back of the Portrait Series $1,000 note.
Following the merger of BCCS with MAS, the first inaugural note issued by MAS was the $10 polymer Portrait Series note, overprinted with "Commemorative First Note Issue & MAS logo" and bearing a unique prefix "MAS".

Note: MAS has stopped issuing the following notes as a pre-emptive measure to reduce the potential money laundering and terrorism financing risks associated with large denomination notes:

The $1,000 notes with effect from 1 January 2021.
The $10,000 notes with effect from 1 October 2014.

Existing $10,000 and $1,000 notes in circulation remain legal tender in Singapore and can continue to be used as a means of payment for goods and services.

Denominations

Portrait Series $2

9 September 1999 (paper note)
12 January 2006 (polymer note)

Description

The $2 note shows a group of pupils interacting with a teacher in a "Borderless Classroom". Three prominent institutions of learning are seen in the background. From the extreme right, the institutions are Victoria Bridge School, the old Raffles Institution at Bras Basah Road, and the College of Medicine. Besides being closely associated with the late Encik Yusof at various stages of his life, the three institutions also symbolically represent the ideal educational progression in Singapore, namely primary, secondary and tertiary.

Also on the front of the $2 note is the Money Cowrie (Cypraea moneta Linnaeus, 1758). As its name implies, it was commonly used as a form of currency among the communities in the Indian and Pacific Oceans during the past. Humans have carried shells of this particular species to practically all parts of the world because of their beauty and remarkable gemlike shape and handy size.

The back of the shell is usually yellow, with a fine filamentous red ring. This species is found in the shallow inter-tidal zone of rocky shores and has a wide distribution in the Indo-West Pacific region.

Portrait Series $5

9 September 1999 (paper note)
18 May 2007 (polymer note)

Description

The Garden City theme embodies Singapore's identity as a garden city, the pride of our citizens. The back of the $5 note features a dramatic Garden City landscape dominated by the portrayal of the old tembusu tree (Fagraea fragrans) which still stands on the grounds of the Singapore Botanic Gardens. The majestic tree of more than 200 years is characterised by its firm and towering presence. The tree bears small red berries and has white flowers that are exceptionally fragrant. The sturdy tree, with its highly branched canopy, epitomises the spirit of Singapore - strong, resilient and continuously striving for progress.

Also pictured on the front of the $5 note is the Gold-Ringed Cowrie (Cypraea annulus Linnaeus, 1758). Like its relative, the Money Cowrie, this species is found in abundance in the inter-tidal zone of the Indo-West Pacific, usually in shallow tide pools high above water level. It is also one of the more variable species in the genus.

A typical Gold-Ringed Cowrie has a greenish-yellow back, encircled by a bright orange-yellowish band with a cream-coloured base. The egg cluster, about the size of the animal, is light cream.

Portrait Series $10

Colour: Red

Size of note: 141mm x 69 mm

First issued on:

9 September 1999 (paper note)
4 May 2004 (polymer note)

Description

The sports theme is reflected in the $10 note through the depiction of five popular sports pursuits. On the back of the note, we see a jogger, a tennis player and a soccer player on one side, representing the most favoured land sports in Singapore. On the other side, swimming and sailing are pictured representing water sports. These are illustrated against a vibrant general design to convey the sense of energy and ruggedness symbolising sporting activities in general.

The note also shows the Wandering Cowrie (Cypraea errones Linnaeus, 1758). A variable member of the genus, this species is difficult to describe but easy to recognise by the mottled green top with a large, brownish and centrally located blotch. This blotch may vary in shape and size from specimen to specimen.

The cowrie's size range is between 13 and 43 mm. Having an Indo-West Pacific distribution, this animal is a shallow-water resident, found at the inter-tidal zone and down to a few metres below mean low tide level. Although its numbers have declined in Singapore, it still remains the most common cowrie here.

Portrait Series $50

	Colour: Blue Size of note: 156 mm x 74 mm
	First issued on: 9 September 1999 (paper note)

Description

As the secondary design for the $50 note, the arts theme reflects the coming-of-age of the Singapore Arts scene. The design appropriately depicts a mix of four ethnic musical instruments. The Chinese Pipa, Malay Kompang, Indian Veena and Classical Violin epitomise Singapore as a confluence of Chinese, Malay, Indian and Western cultures. The instruments are complemented by portions of two local artworks in the Singapore Art Museum, entitled "Gibbon" and "Drying Salted Fish". The works represent the development and achievements of artists in the country.

The Cylindrical Cowrie (Cypraea cylindrica) decorates the front of the $50 note. The shell of this animal is cylindrically elongated and its back is bluish grey with a large central irregular blotch. It is found widely in central Indo-West Pacific and Micronesia, ranging from Okinawa, Japan, to northwestern Australia, and from the Malay Peninsula to New Caledonia.

This species is moderately common in the inter-tidal and shallow sublittoral zones.

Portrait Series $100

	Colour: Orange Size of note: 162 mm x 77 mm
	First issued on: 9 September 1999 (paper note)

Description

The youth theme exemplifies the aspirations, ruggedness and community spirit of youths in Singapore. Found on the back of the $100 note, this is represented by three aspects of youth activities, namely Youth in Community Service, Youth in Action and Youth in Leadership Development. On the left of the design is a group of uniformed youths representing the Singapore Red Cross, St John's Ambulance Brigade and National Police Cadet Corps. Situated in the centre of the design is a group of scouts engaged in an outdoor scouting activity. On the right, a National Service officer bearing a ceremonial sword stands against a backdrop of the magnificent tower of the SAFTI military institute.

The $100 note also carries the picture of the Swallow Cowrie (Cypraea hirundo Linnaeus, 1758). The mollusc is found over much of the Indo-West Pacific region and usually lives on wave-beaten reefs at low tide, under coral slabs and rocks. This species was originally described from Mauritius and India with other variations reported from as far as northwestern Australia and Japan.

The shell of this animal has two distinct dark brown spots on the ends and the surface is bluish-green with minute brown speckles. It is moderately common in shallow rocky habitats.

Portrait Series $1,000

Colour: Purple

Size of note: 170 mm x 83 mm

First issued on:

9 September 1999 (paper note)

Description

The back of the $1,000 note features buildings representing the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary. The Istana building, the official residence of the President of Singapore, symbolises the President and the Executive. It is depicted in the centre of the design. Flanking the Istana are the Parliament House on the left and the Supreme Court building on the right. The Parliament House and the Supreme Court represent the Legislature and the Judiciary respectively.

The $1,000 note also features the Beautiful Cowrie (Cypraea pulchella Swainson, 1823). This animal was considered another of the rare gems of the genus until about 1968. The graceful pear shape, contrasting large chestnut blotches, and distinctly marked teeth make this cowrie unusually attractive. Specimens of this species are quite common and are usually found offshore from depths of 30 m to 140 m. They are found over a wide range, although most old collections were reported from the Chinese coast of Hong Kong.

Portrait Series $10,000

	Colour: Gold Size of note: 180 mm x 90 mm
	First issued on: 9 September 1999 (paper note)

Description

The back of the $10,000 note depicts the future direction of our economy - one which is knowledge-based and technology-driven. It features a research scientist working on high-technology laboratory equipment. A microprocessor and a silicon wafer, representing Singapore's drive to create a high-tech manufacturing hub, are seen in the backdrop on the left and right-hand side respectively.

Partial sequences of two proteins, the tyrosine kinase and the tyrosine phosphatase, representing two important breakthroughs in research by the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), appear at the top. A subtle background pattern of the printed circuit board completes the design.

The Onyx Cowrie (Cypraea onyx Linnaeus, 1758) is also shown on the $10,000 note. The jet black base, the brown and usually banded back, and the white pearly overlay on the sides or the whole shell make identification of this species easy. The mantle of the live specimen is greyish with many tiny circular dots very closely distributed on it. A variant of this animal from Sri Lanka is reportedly considered a food item.

An Indo-West Pacific cowrie, this species has been reported from shallow muddy waters in Singapore, as well as at depths of 30 m or more in Japan.

Similar to the Bird and Orchid Series, the Ship Series also has nine denominations. The denominations are similar except that the previous $20 note was discontinued and a new $2 note denomination was introduced.

About the Note Designs

The pictorial and aesthetic themes of this series are based on maritime vessels and the modern development of Singapore. The vignettes on the front of the Ship notes depict vessels that have plied the waters of Singapore over the centuries.

The series pays tribute to the contributions of merchant shipping to the development of Singapore from an entrepot trading centre to the busiest port in the world. It starts with the merchant craft of bygone days and progresses to the modern bulk carrier which is featured on the highest denomination.

Key Features

The front of all Ship Series notes features:

The Singapore Coat of Arms.
A watermark of a lion's head.
The signature and seal of the Minister for Finance and Chairman of BCCS.
Creatures from Chinese mythology printed in colour lithographic offset prints on the centre panel.
A security thread embedded vertically across it.

The back of each Ship Series note denomination features scenes depicting Singapore's achievements in the fields of communication, housing, defence and port management.

Vanda Miss Joaquim, the national flower of Singapore, is also featured on the back of all Ship Series notes.

Key Facts

The first uncut sheet issued was the $2 Ship series (red colour) in 1991.

Denominations

Ship Series - $1

	Colour: Blue Size of note: 125 mm x 63 mm First issued on: 12 January 1987
	Front design: "Sha Chuan" Centre panel: A Chinese crane Type of fish: Chinese carp (Cyprinus carpio) Back design: Sentosa Satellite Earth Station

Ship Series - $2

Colour: Red and Purple


First issued on: 28 January 1991 (Red),

16 December 1991 (Purple)

Front design: "Tongkang"
Centre panel: A rising sun to the right of main design
Back design: Different ethnic groups participating in Chingay procession

Ship Series - $5

	Colour: Green Size of note: 133 mm x 63 mm First issued on: 21 August 1989
	Front design: "Twakow" Centre panel : A Chinese lion with a ball Type of fish: Commerson's Anchovy (Stolephorus commersonii) Back design : View of the PSA Container Terminal

Ship Series - $10

	Colour: Red Size of note: 141 mm x 69 mm First issued on: 1 March 1988
	Front design: Barter trading vessel "Palari" Centre panel : A phoenix Type of fish: Round Scad (Decapterus Macrosoma) Back design: View of public housing

Ship Series - $50

	Colour: Blue Size of note: 156 mm x 74 mm First issued on: 9 March 1987
	Front design: Coaster vessel "Perak" Centre panel: A pair of Mandarin ducks Type of fish: Six-banded grouper (Epinephelus sexfasciatus valenciennes) Back design: Bird's-eye view of Benjamin Sheares Bridge

Ship Series - $100

	Colour: Brown Size of note: 165 mm x 78 mm First issued on: 1 August 1985
	Front design : Passenger liner "Chusan" Centre panel: A Chinese crane Type of fish: Slender shad (Ilisha elongata) Back design: Bird's-eye view of Singapore Changi Airport

Ship Series - $500

	Colour: Green Size of note: 175 mm x 83 mm First issued on: 1 March 1988
	Front design: General cargo vessel "Neptune Sardonyx" Centre panel: A Chinese peony and a butterfly Type of fish: Indian Mackerel (Rastrelliger kanagurta) Back design: Group of men and women from the three services of the Armed Forces and the Civil Defence Force with the outline map of Singapore in the background

Ship Series - $1,000

	Colour: Purple Size of note: 185 mm x 88 mm First issued on: 22 October 1984
	Front design: Container ship "Neptune Garnet" and two container quay cranes Centre panel : A stylised phoenix Type of fish: Polka-dot Grouper (Cromileptes altivelis) Back design: Bird's-eye view of a ship repair yard

Ship Series - $10,000

	Colour: Red Size of note: 195 mm x 93 mm First issued on: 21 August 1989
	Front design: General bulk carrier "Neptune Canopus" Centre panel: A Chinese dragon Type of fish: White Promfret (Pampus Chinesis) Back design: 1987 National Day Parade

This series has nine denominations except that a $20 note was introduced to replace the $25 note of the Orchid series.

About the Note Designs

The dominant feature is a bird on the left side of the front of each note. The birds depicted on the notes are noted for their strength, adaptability and independence which characterise the young Republic of Singapore with the potential of soaring to greater heights in its progress.

Key Features

The front of all Bird Series notes features:

The Singapore Coat of Arms.
A watermark of a lion's head.
The signature and seal of the Minister for Finance and Chairman of BCCS.
A security thread embedded vertically across it.
- The $1,000 and $10,000 notes have two security threads instead.

Key Facts

Of all the notes issued since 1967, only three notes had two security threads on them. They were the $10,000 Orchid Series notes, and the $1,000 and $10,000 Bird Series notes.

Denominations

Bird Series - $1

	Colour: Blue Size of note: 125 mm x 63 mm First issued on: 6 August 1976
	Front design: Black-naped Tern Back design: National Day parade

Bird Series - $5

	Colour: Green Size of note: 133 mm x 66 mm First issued on: 6 August 1976
	Front design: Red-whiskered Bulbul Back design: Cable cars and aerial view of the harbour

Bird Series - $10

	Colour: Red Size of note: 141 mm x 69 mm First issued on: 6 August 1976
	Front design: White-collared Kingfisher Back design: Garden city with high rise public housing in background

Bird Series - $20

	Colour: Brown Size of note: 149 mm x 72 mm First issued on: 6 August 1979
	Front design: Yellow-breasted Sunbird Back design: Changi International Airport Complex with the Concorde in the foreground

Bird Series - $50

	Colour: Blue Size of note: 157 mm x 75 mm First issued on: 6 August 1976
	Front design: White-rumped Shama Back design: School band on parade

Bird Series - $100

	Colour: Blue Size of note: 165 mm x 78 mm First issued on: 1 February 1977
	Front design: Blue-throated Bee-eater Back design: Dancers of various ethnic groups

Bird Series - $500

	Colour: Green Size of note: 181 mm x 84 mm First issued on: 1 February 1977
	Front design : Black-naped Oriole Back design: Oil refinery

Bird Series - $1,000

	Colour: Purple Size of note: 197 mm x 90 mm First issued on: 7 August 1978
	Front design: Brahminy Kite Back design: Container Terminal

Bird Series - $10,000

	Colour: Green Size of note: 203 mm x 133 mm First issued on: 1 February 1980
	Front design: White-bellied Sea-Eagle Back design: Two scenes of the Singapore River

The Orchid Series has nine denominations.

About the Note Designs

The dominant feature is a spray of orchids in the centre of the front of each note.

Key Features

The front of all Orchid Series notes features:

The Singapore Coat of Arms.
A watermark of a lion's head.
The signature and seal of the Minister for Finance and Chairman of BCCS.
A security thread embedded vertically across it.
- The $10,000 notes have two security threads instead.

The back of each Orchid Series note denomination features scenes of Singapore.

Key Facts

The first signatory on the Singapore notes issued in 1967 was by Mr Lim Kim San, then Chairman of BCCS.
The seal on currency notes first appeared in 1970.
- The notes bore the seal and signature of Dr Goh Keng Swee, then Chairman of BCCS.
Of all the notes issued since 1967, only three notes had two security threads on them. They were the $10,000 Orchid Series notes, and the $1,000 and $10,000 Bird Series notes.

Denominations

Orchid Series - $1

Colour: Dark blue

Size of note: 121 mm x 64 mm

First issued on: 12 June 1967

Front design: Vanda Janet Kaneali

Back design: Blocks of flats in a housing estate

Orchid Series - $5

Colour: Green

Size of note: 127 mm x 71 mm

First issued on: 12 June 1967

Front design: Vanda T.M.A.

Back design: A busy scene on the Singapore River

Orchid Series - $10

Colour: Red

Size of note: 133 mm x 79 mm

First issued on: 12 June 1967

Front design: Dendrobium Marjorie Ho "Tony Pek"

Back design: Four clasped hands with the map of Singapore in the background

Orchid Series - $25

Colour: Brown

Size of note: 140 mm x 79 mm

First issued on: 7 August 1972

Front design: Renanthopsis Aurora

Back design: Supreme Court Building

Orchid Series - $50

	Colour: Blue Size of note: 146 mm x 87 mm First issued on: 12 June 1967
	Front design: Vanda Rothschildiana “Teo Choo Hong” Back design: Singapore seafront and Clifford Pier

Orchid Series - $100

Colour: Mid-Blue and mauve

Size of note: 159 mm x 95 mm

First issued on: 12 June 1967

Front design: Cattleya

Back design: A peaceful scene along the Singapore waterfront

Orchid Series - $500

	Colour: Green Size of note: 160 mm x 96 mm First issued on: 7 August 1972
	Front design: Dendrobium Shangri-La Back design: Government Offices at St Andrew's Rd