Statute Details
- Title: Coins to Be Issued on 3rd September 1996
- Act Code: CA1967-S371-1996
- Type: Subsidiary Legislation (SL)
- Legislative Instrument No.: S 371/1996
- Authorising Act: Currency Act (Chapter 69)
- Legal Basis: Made pursuant to section 17(5) of the Currency Act
- Commencement/Issue Date: Coins to be issued on 3 September 1996
- Status: Current version as at 27 March 2026
- Publication/Notification: “Notified for general information” (general public notice mechanism)
What Is This Legislation About?
The instrument titled Coins to Be Issued on 3rd September 1996 is a subsidiary legislative notice issued by Singapore’s monetary authorities to inform the public about the specific denominations and characteristics of coins that will be released into circulation on a particular date. Although it is presented as legislation, its function is essentially administrative and informational: it “notifies for general information” what the coins will be.
In practical terms, this kind of notice ensures that the public, merchants, cash-handling systems, and other stakeholders know exactly what coins are being issued—so that the coins can be recognised, accepted, and used confidently as legal tender (subject to the broader legal framework governing currency). The notice is anchored in the Currency Act (Chapter 69), which provides the statutory authority for the Board of Commissioners of Currency, Singapore (BCCS) to issue coins and to specify their features through formal notification.
Because the extract provided refers to the “Schedule hereto” (which would list the denominations and characteristics), the core legal effect is to formalise the details of the coin issue for that date. This is not a broad regulatory regime; rather, it is a targeted instrument that supports the currency system by documenting the coin specifications.
What Are the Key Provisions?
1. Notification under section 17(5) of the Currency Act
The notice states that it is made “pursuant to section 17(5) of the Currency Act” and that it is “hereby notified for general information” that the denominations and characteristics of the coins to be issued on 3 September 1996 are shown in the Schedule. This is the central operative mechanism: the legal basis authorises the BCCS to issue coins, and section 17(5) provides for the public notification of the coin specifications.
2. The Schedule as the substantive content
The extract indicates that the actual details are contained in the Schedule. In instruments of this type, the Schedule typically lists each coin denomination and sets out its defining characteristics—such as design features, inscriptions, metal composition, dimensions, or other identifying attributes. For practitioners, the Schedule is the “where the action is” portion: the legal notice points readers to the Schedule as the authoritative source of the coin specifications.
3. The issuing authority: Board of Commissioners of Currency, Singapore
The notice identifies the Board of Commissioners of Currency, Singapore as the body issuing the coins. This matters for legal clarity: it confirms that the coin issue is not merely an executive announcement, but an act performed under the statutory authority of the BCCS. In disputes involving coin recognition, acceptance, or authenticity, the identification of the issuing authority can be relevant to establishing the official nature of the coin specifications.
4. Date-specific scope
The instrument is tied to a specific issue date: 3 September 1996. That date specificity is important because coin designs and characteristics can change over time (for example, through commemorative issues, redesigns, or changes in composition). This notice therefore functions as a time-bound legal reference for the coins issued on that date.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
Based on the extract, the structure is straightforward and typical of currency-related subsidiary instruments:
(a) Enacting formula: The instrument begins with an enacting formula that identifies the legal basis (section 17(5) of the Currency Act) and the purpose (general notification).
(b) Title and heading: “Coins to Be Issued on 3rd September 1996” frames the subject matter and the relevant date.
(c) The Schedule: The Schedule is referenced as containing the denominations and characteristics of the coins. In practice, the Schedule is where the detailed specifications are set out.
(d) Citation and metadata: The instrument includes the subsidiary legislation number (S 371/1996) and references to internal publication codes (e.g., BCCS and AG/LEG references in the extract). These are useful for document control and for locating the instrument in official repositories.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
This notice is directed at the general public and at all persons who interact with Singapore coinage—particularly those who need to identify, accept, or handle coins. While the instrument itself is framed as “for general information,” its practical effect is to define what coins will be issued on the specified date and what their characteristics are.
For legal practitioners, the relevant “audience” also includes cash-handling businesses (retailers, transport operators, vending machine operators), financial institutions, coin collectors and numismatic dealers, and any party involved in disputes where the authenticity or identification of coins is contested. Even though the notice is not a regulatory code imposing duties in the manner of a licensing statute, it provides authoritative specifications that can be relied upon in operational and evidentiary contexts.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Although the instrument is brief in the extract, it plays an important role in the legal architecture of Singapore’s currency system. Coin issuance is not merely a matter of manufacturing and distribution; it requires formal legal authority and public specification. By grounding the notice in section 17(5) of the Currency Act and by publishing the coin denominations and characteristics, the instrument supports consistency and trust in the currency.
1. Legal certainty and public confidence
When coins are introduced, the public must be able to recognise them. The notice provides an official reference point for the coin specifications. This reduces uncertainty for merchants and consumers and helps ensure that the new coins can be integrated into everyday transactions without confusion.
2. Operational compliance and systems integration
Cash-handling systems—such as coin-operated machines, automated ticketing, vending systems, and cash-counting equipment—often require technical specifications to function correctly. While the notice is “for general information,” the Schedule’s details are the kind of information that vendors and operators use to update acceptance parameters and identification protocols.
3. Evidentiary value in disputes
In cases involving counterfeit coins, misidentification, or disputes about whether a coin matches the official characteristics, the Schedule in a formally published instrument can be highly relevant. It provides an official baseline for what the coins issued on 3 September 1996 were supposed to look like and be like. For practitioners, this can assist in establishing facts and supporting expert analysis.
Related Legislation
- Currency Act (Chapter 69) — in particular, section 17(5) (the authorising provision referenced in the notice)
- Legislation timeline / related “Timeline” entries — used to confirm the correct version and date of the subsidiary instrument
Source Documents
This article provides an overview of the Coins to Be Issued on 3rd September 1996 for legal research and educational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult the official text for authoritative provisions.