Statute Details
- Title: Currency (Denomination and Characteristics of Currency Note) Notification 2019
- Act Code: CA1967-S424-2019
- Type: Subsidiary Legislation (SL)
- Authorising Act: Currency Act (Chapter 69)
- Legal Basis: Made pursuant to section 17(5) of the Currency Act
- Legislation Number: SL 424/2019
- Date of Notification / Commencement (as shown): 5 June 2019
- Status: Current version as at 27 Mar 2026
- Parts: Not specified in the extract (notification is structured around a Schedule)
- Key Provision (from extract): Notification for general information of the denomination and characteristics of a specific currency note
What Is This Legislation About?
The Currency (Denomination and Characteristics of Currency Note) Notification 2019 is a Singapore subsidiary legal instrument issued by reference to the Currency Act. In practical terms, it is a formal public notice that sets out the denomination and physical/visual characteristics of a particular banknote that was issued on 5 June 2019.
From the extract provided, the notification relates specifically to the Singapore Bicentennial Commemorative Note. Such commemorative notes are typically issued to mark significant national milestones. The notification’s function is not to create a new monetary system or to regulate how the public uses money; rather, it provides the legal description needed to confirm what the note is, how it is denominated, and what characteristics distinguish it.
Because it is made under section 17(5) of the Currency Act, the notification serves as the bridge between the policy decision to issue a commemorative note and the legal requirement to publish the note’s denomination and characteristics for general information. This helps ensure clarity for the public, financial institutions, and enforcement agencies, and it supports the integrity of Singapore’s currency regime.
What Are the Key Provisions?
1. The notification mechanism under section 17(5) of the Currency Act
The extract states that the notification is made “pursuant to section 17(5) of the Currency Act” and that it is “notified for general information” that the denomination and characteristics of the currency note issued on 5 June 2019 are as shown in the Schedule. This indicates that the core legal effect is informational and confirmatory: it records the official description of the note’s denomination and characteristics.
2. Identification of the specific note and its issuance date
The notification is tied to a particular issuance: the currency note issued on 5 June 2019. The Schedule, as described in the extract, contains the “Description of the Singapore Bicentennial Commemorative Note issued on 5 June 2019.” This specificity matters. In currency law, the legal description of a note must correspond to the exact series and issuance date so that there is no ambiguity about which banknote is being described.
3. The Schedule as the operative descriptive content
While the extract does not reproduce the full Schedule text, it clearly indicates that the Schedule is where the substantive description resides. The Schedule is therefore the key place a practitioner would look to determine the exact denomination and characteristics. In banknote notifications, “characteristics” commonly include features such as design elements, colours, inscriptions, signatures, security features, and other physical attributes that distinguish the note from other denominations or series.
4. “General information” and legal certainty
The notification is expressly “for general information.” This phrasing is important. It suggests the notification is intended to be publicly accessible and to provide an authoritative reference point. For example, financial institutions may need to verify whether a note presented to them is a genuine Singapore note of the relevant denomination and series. Similarly, members of the public may rely on the official description to understand what the commemorative note is.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
Based on the extract, the notification is structured around a single principal component: the Schedule. The notification itself contains the enacting formula and a short operative statement that the denomination and characteristics of the note issued on 5 June 2019 are “as shown in the Schedule.”
In other words, the legal architecture is straightforward:
- Enacting formula / legal basis: made pursuant to section 17(5) of the Currency Act.
- Operative statement: the denomination and characteristics of the specified note are those shown in the Schedule.
- Schedule: provides the descriptive content for the Singapore Bicentennial Commemorative Note.
There are no “Parts” shown in the extract, and no additional sections are identified. This is typical for currency notifications that function as descriptive instruments rather than regulatory frameworks.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
The notification applies broadly to persons and institutions that interact with Singapore currency—particularly where the denomination and characteristics of the note matter for identification, handling, and verification. Although the extract does not specify a class of regulated persons, the Currency Act framework generally concerns the issuance, legal status, and management of currency.
In practical terms, the notification is relevant to:
- Financial institutions (banks, money changers, payment service providers) that must recognise and process Singapore banknotes.
- Businesses and merchants that receive cash and need to ensure they are dealing with genuine Singapore currency.
- Law enforcement and regulatory bodies where disputes may arise about whether a note is genuine or correctly denominated.
- Members of the public who may wish to confirm the official description of the commemorative note.
Because the notification is “for general information,” it is not framed as a set of duties imposed on a narrow group. Instead, it provides an authoritative reference that supports the broader currency regime under the Currency Act.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Even though the notification is brief, it is important for legal certainty in the currency system. Currency is a highly regulated area where the legal status of notes depends on official descriptions. By publishing the denomination and characteristics of the commemorative note, the notification helps prevent confusion between different series and denominations and supports consistent recognition across the economy.
For practitioners, the value lies in the ability to point to an official legal description. In disputes—such as claims involving counterfeit notes, misidentification, or questions about whether a note corresponds to a particular issuance—an authoritative schedule can be critical evidence. The notification also supports compliance and operational processes for cash handlers, who may need to train staff to recognise specific commemorative features.
Finally, the notification demonstrates how Singapore uses a structured legal pathway for currency issuance: policy decisions are translated into legally meaningful public instruments under the Currency Act. This approach balances administrative flexibility (issuing commemorative notes as needed) with legal transparency (publishing the denomination and characteristics).
Related Legislation
- Currency Act (Chapter 69) — particularly section 17(5) (the authorising provision referenced in the notification)
- Other Currency (Denomination and Characteristics of Currency Note) Notifications (for other note series/issuances, if applicable)
Source Documents
This article provides an overview of the Currency (Denomination and Characteristics of Currency Note) Notification 2019 for legal research and educational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult the official text for authoritative provisions.