Statute Details
- Title: Currency (Denominations and Characteristics of Coins) (No. 4) Notification 2014
- Act Code: CA1967-S871-2014
- Legislative Type: Subsidiary legislation / notification (SL)
- Authorising Act: Currency Act (Chapter 69)
- Legal Basis: Made “pursuant to section 17(5) of the Currency Act”
- Instrument Number: No. S 871
- Date of Notification: 30 December 2014
- Commencement (as stated in the extract): Coins to be issued on 8 January 2015
- Status: Current version as at 27 March 2026 (per the platform status indicator)
- Parts: Not applicable (notification with a Schedule)
- Key Provision (from extract): Denominations and characteristics of coins to be issued are “as shown in the Schedule”
- Schedule: The operative text setting out the coin denominations and characteristics
What Is This Legislation About?
The Currency (Denominations and Characteristics of Coins) (No. 4) Notification 2014 is a Singapore legal instrument issued by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) under the Currency Act. In plain terms, it is a formal public notice that specifies what coins will be issued—both their denominations (the face value) and their physical characteristics (the design and/or technical features that identify the coin).
Although the extract provided is brief, the structure and legal function are clear. The notification is not a broad regulatory framework; rather, it is a targeted “specification” instrument. Its purpose is to ensure that when new coins are introduced (here, on 8 January 2015), the public and market participants know exactly what those coins are, and that the coins can be reliably distinguished and verified.
Notifications of this kind are important in a currency system because they provide legal certainty. Without a formal specification, disputes could arise about whether a particular coin is genuine, whether it matches the official design, or whether it is intended to circulate as legal tender. By anchoring the coin specifications in a published Schedule, the notification supports consistent enforcement and public confidence.
What Are the Key Provisions?
1. Legal basis and “general information” notice. The notification states that it is made “pursuant to section 17(5) of the Currency Act” and that it is “hereby notified for general information.” This language signals that the instrument is intended to communicate official specifications to the public, rather than to create a complex regulatory regime. The legal effect comes from the Currency Act’s authorisation: the Act empowers MAS to set coin characteristics by notification.
2. The Schedule contains the operative specifications. The extract specifies that the “denominations and characteristics of the coins to be issued on 8 January 2015 by the Monetary Authority of Singapore are as shown in the Schedule.” In practice, the Schedule is where the detailed information sits—typically including the coin values and the defining physical attributes (for example, dimensions, composition, design elements, inscriptions, and other identifying features). For practitioners, the Schedule is the critical part to consult because it is the authoritative reference for what the coins are.
3. Date-specific issuance. The notification is tied to a specific issuance date: 8 January 2015. This matters legally because coin specifications can change over time (for example, due to redesigns, commemorative issues, or updates to security features). A date-specific notification helps distinguish which specifications apply to which coin series. If a dispute arises about a coin’s authenticity or classification, the issuance date and the corresponding notification version become highly relevant.
4. Administrative identifiers and cross-references. The extract includes references such as “MAS 03/05/035; AG/LLRD/SL/69/2010/1 Vol. 2.” These are administrative citation markers used in legislative records. While they may not be central to substantive interpretation, they can assist lawyers in locating the instrument’s legislative history, internal MAS documentation, or related filings. The notification also references the Currency Act (Chapter 69), which is the primary statute governing currency matters.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
This notification is structured in a straightforward way typical of coin-specification instruments. It contains: (1) a short enacting formula; (2) a Schedule labelled “THE SCHEDULE”; and (3) an operative statement that the denominations and characteristics of coins to be issued on a particular date are “as shown in the Schedule.”
There are no “Parts” listed in the metadata, and the extract indicates that the Schedule is the main substantive component. For legal work, this means the interpretive exercise is largely document-based: the lawyer must read the Schedule carefully to extract the exact denominations and characteristics. If the Schedule includes technical specifications, those details will control over any informal descriptions.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
The notification’s direct legal effect is aimed at the currency system and the coins that MAS issues. In practical terms, it applies to anyone who deals with Singapore coins—whether in commerce, cash handling, vending, banking operations, or cash-in-transit arrangements—because those actors must ensure that they accept and process coins that match the official specifications.
While the notification itself is framed as “for general information,” its underlying legal foundation in the Currency Act means that it can become relevant in enforcement contexts. For example, if there are allegations involving counterfeit coins, misclassification of coin types, or disputes about whether a coin is intended to be part of the official circulating series, the Schedule’s specifications and the issuance date will be central evidence.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
First, coin specifications are foundational to the integrity of a currency. By formally setting out the denominations and characteristics of coins to be issued, the notification helps prevent confusion and supports consistent recognition of genuine currency. This is particularly important for security features and for ensuring that coins can be verified by both humans and automated systems (such as coin validators used in retail and transport).
Second, the notification supports legal certainty. In many legal disputes, the question is not merely whether a coin “looks right,” but whether it matches the legally defined characteristics for the relevant issuance. Because the notification is tied to a specific date (8 January 2015), it also helps resolve temporal issues—i.e., which coin design applies at the time of the transaction or alleged offence.
Third, the instrument has practical compliance implications. Banks, merchants, and cash-handling businesses often rely on MAS-issued specifications to update their internal systems, staff training materials, and acceptance rules. Even where the notification does not itself impose detailed obligations, it informs the operational standards that businesses use to comply with broader currency and payment rules under the Currency Act and related regulations.
Related Legislation
- Currency Act (Chapter 69) — in particular, section 17(5) (the authorising provision referenced in the notification)
- Currency (Denominations and Characteristics of Coins) Notifications — other “No.” notifications that specify different coin series or updates (e.g., “(No. 1)”, “(No. 2)”, “(No. 3)”, and subsequent instruments)
Source Documents
This article provides an overview of the Currency (Denominations and Characteristics of Coins) (No. 4) Notification 2014 for legal research and educational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult the official text for authoritative provisions.