Yesterday, my mom was telling me that we’re gonna get new Singapore coins this year. And I was eh? Really? Then, I saw it being shared on Facebook this morning on my way to work. So yeah. Really.

It’s official! We’re getting new coins!

Then you might be thinking..what about our current coins?

Well, just like our 1 cent coin, our older coins – the current ones we know so well since 1985 will slowly be phrased out over the next four years once the new coins are introduced 🙁

New-look coins by mid-2013

SINGAPORE: Singapore will have a whole new set of coins in circulation by the middle of this year.

The current Second Series coins (as seen above) were first introduced in 1985 and featured local plants and flowers, depicting Singapore as a garden city.

But they’ll soon make way for the Third Series featuring five of Singapore’s national icons and landmarks – the Merlion, Port of Singapore, Changi Airport, Public Housing and the Esplanade.

For example, HDB flats – home to more than 80 per cent of Singaporeans – will be featured on the 10-cent coin… and the Esplanade on the 5-cent coin.

“Coins reflect the events, persons or symbols significant to a nation. The new series coins depict local icons and landmarks that are familiar to Singaporeans and reflect various aspects of Singapore’s progress as a nation,” said Ravi Menon, Managing Director of the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS).

Each coin denomination has an electro-magnetic signature, which allows vending machines to detect counterfeit and foreign coins.

The one-dollar coin contains additional security features such as its bi-metallic composition and laser mark micro-engraving in the shape of Singapore’s national flower, the Vanda Miss Joaquim.

The new coins will have larger denomination numerals for easy identification and features to facilitate identification by the visually-impaired.

The coins are progressively sized by denomination, with the 5-cent coin being the smallest and one-dollar coin being the largest.

Mrs Foo-Yap Siew Hong, Assistant Managing Director of MAS, said, “The Second Series coins have been in use for more than 25 years. There will be a period of adjustment as we all get comfortable with the new coins. MAS will continue to work closely with our stakeholders to smoothen the transition.”

MAS says it has been working with public transport operators to ensure that coin-operated machines at MRT/LRT stations are calibrated to accept both the current and new series coins before the launch.

It has also been working with businesses with coin-operated facilities such as vending machine operators and supermarkets to prepare them for the launch.

And to ensure a smooth transition, the current series will continue to be legal tender, as they are phased out over the next four years.

– CNA/de

Article Credits:ChannelNewsAsia HERE

So yeah, now that this is official, well,  in my opinion, I guess they’re okay? I think. I haven’t actually seen the real thing yet so yeahhhh.

But I do have to say that the new coins remind me ALOT of the current Euro coins available at the moment. Probably that’s where they got the inspiration from, maybe?

So what do you think of our new coins?

Oh and perhaps it’s time to keep a few of our current coins in the future. Especially since they’re gonna be phrased out in 4 years. And who knows? 50 years later, they could be worth some moolah! HAHA

Till later,
♥ mitsueki