10 Facts About the S’pore Dollars That Many Didn’t Know Of

Last Updated on 2021-11-14 , 9:07 am

Ah…money.

The topic we all have a love-hate relationship with.

There are always too many things to buy and too little cash on hand.

Or wallet.

Or bank.

Normally it’s all of the above for me. But today, we shall not go to the depressing side of this highly-agitative topic.

In fact, we shall strive to discover the wonders of it. Sit back and relax, while we bring you through ten unknown facts of the Sing Dollar:

(Since you’re here, subscribe to our YouTube Channel for more informative videos lah)

If you’re one who loves to read, I’ve done the job for you:

1.Line at the top of a note is actually a line of words

You should be able to see “Singapore” written in four different languages at the top of any SGD note.

You see the line on top of them?

By looking closely, you’ll realise that it’s not really a straight line, like what most people (read: I)  would have thought.

If you were to use your handphone and zoom in, you’ll see that it’s actually a series of micro text repeating the words “MONETARYAUTHORITYOFSINGAPORE”.

Micro text is commonly found on banknotes to fight against counterfeiting.

The reason is simple: you can’t just print micro text using a normal printer!

2.Dots on the top right is for the visually impaired 

If you try to feel your banknotes, you’ll find that there are actually dots at the top right corner.

These are actually braille codes, meant to help visually impaired people to differentiate the notes.

3.Largest denomination is $10,000

In 1973, there were demands for a $10,000 denomination, which the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) saw and issued.

According to the MAS, the main users were Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and high net-worth customers.

During that time, there were no Internet bank transfers, so these people can’t just transfer money as easily as we do nowadays.

To reduce the risk of money laundering, this denomination has been withdrawn from 1 October 2014.

But if you’re one of those few who kept them, you’re still allowed to use it.

I would like to see the cashier’s shocked face when you use the $10,000 to buy a $1 mineral water.

If you’re ever gonna do that, do tell us beforehand so we can document it!

Anyways, the largest denomination still in print is the $1,000 note.

4.National anthem is printed at the back of $1,000 note

Before writing about this, I had no idea this was a thing.

Probably because I can’t even withdraw a $1,000?

Anyways, did you know that you can actually find the lyrics to our national anthem at the back of a $1,000 note?

The entire lyrics of our national anthem is printed in a small box.

You’ve probably guessed it.

Yes, it’s micro text, but just slightly larger.

If you ever forget the lyrics of our national anthem, no worries.

Just head to a bank and withdraw a $1000 note!

5.The tree on the $5 note is still in Botanic Garden

See the tree on a $5 note?

That’s a Tembusu tree, and it is still in Botanic Garden.

It is now more than 200 years old and is situated at Lawn E near the Swan Lake.

If you’ve been to the garden since 2013, you’ll see that it’s fenced up.

That’s because visitors like to go near the tree, and by doing so, they’ll affect its roots.

So basically, just touch with your eyes ok?

6.The buildings on the $2 note are Yusof Ishak’s schools 

Is it just me or does everyone else think about the people on the $2 note?

Taking a picture with your favourite star is one thing, being printed on a note is another.

But nah, we’re not gonna tell you who they are cos we are as clueless as you.

All we know is that the buildings behind are actually the schools that Yusof Ishak attended.

They’re his primary school, Victoria Bridge School, and secondary school, the old Raffles Institution Building.

If you haven’t guessed, Victoria Bridge School is also known as Victoria School and, Raffles Institution is still known as the present day RI.

So no, Yusof Ishak did not attend Yusof Ishak Secondary School.

7.Our $10,000 is one of the largest banknotes in the world

In terms of numbers, we’re far behind the first:

The 100 quintillion pengő (Hungarian currency).

FYI, that’s 21 zeroes.

On the other hand, in terms of value, our $10K note is just one spot after the first place, the US $10k note.

Honestly, I didn’t even know it existed.

Poor me can’t imagine having this much money…

But it’s still a pretty cool thing to say when someone asks what’s cool about Singapore.

8.The higher value the note, the bigger the note

Some say this is common sense, some say they didn’t know…

Did you know that the higher the value, the bigger the note? No seriously.

If you didn’t just take out any 2 different notes, it’s quite obvious.

#justsaying

9. The different series

Our currency has different series as well, depending on the years of circulation.

From 1967 to 1976, we have the Orchid Series.

From 1976 to 1984, we have the Bird Series.

From 1984 to 1999, we have the Ship Series.

And since 1999, we have the Portrait Series, or what we call the Yusof Ishak Series.

Yes, that’s the one you’re using now.

In this latest series, the $1 and $500 denominations were removed.

Any series before the Portrait series have become collectables.

10. Our currency is the same as Brunei’s

Technically, Bruneians can come to Singapore and pay using their currency, and likewise.

You see, one Sing Dollar is equal to one Brunei dollar.

This is thanks to the currency interchangeability agreement inked between Singapore and Brunei 51 years ago.

Pretty cool right?

Now that you’re armed with ten facts about the SGD, it’s time to show off how rich (in knowledge) you are!

Featured Image: EWY Media / Shutterstock.com