Statute Details
- Title: Denomination and Characteristics of the Currency Notes
- Act Code: CA1967-S393-1999
- Legislative Instrument Type: Subsidiary legislation (SL)
- Authorising Act: Currency Act (Chapter 69)
- Key Authorising Provision: Currency Act, section 17(5)
- Instrument Number: No. S 393
- Publication / Date: 9 September 1999
- Status: Current version as at 27 March 2026 (per the legislation portal)
- Commencement Date: Not stated in the extract (instrument relates to notes issued on 9 September 1999)
- Parts / Sections: Not applicable in the extract; the operative content is contained in the Schedule
- Core Content: Notification of the denominations and characteristics of Singapore “portrait” currency notes
What Is This Legislation About?
This subsidiary legislation is a formal notification issued under the Currency Act (Chapter 69) to specify the denomination and physical/visual characteristics of certain Singapore currency notes. In plain terms, it tells the public and market participants what banknote values will be issued and what the notes look like (including the “portrait” design description) for a particular issuance date.
The instrument is not a broad regulatory code. Instead, it functions as an administrative specification attached to the Currency Act’s framework. It is designed to ensure that the legal basis for issuing currency notes is clear, and that the characteristics of the notes are publicly documented. This matters for legal tender recognition, cash handling, and the prevention of confusion or disputes about what constitutes an official note.
In the extract provided, the operative statement is explicit: pursuant to section 17(5) of the Currency Act, the Board of Commissioners of Currency, Singapore (commonly referred to as the Board) notifies the denomination and characteristics of the currency notes to be issued on 9 September 1999. The detailed description is contained in the Schedule.
What Are the Key Provisions?
1. Statutory basis and purpose (Pursuant to section 17(5) of the Currency Act)
The instrument is issued “pursuant to section 17(5)” of the Currency Act. This is legally significant: it indicates that the Currency Act authorises the Board to determine and notify the denomination and characteristics of notes. The subsidiary legislation therefore operates as the public-facing legal notification that translates the Board’s determinations into a form that is accessible and authoritative.
2. The date-specific issuance: notes to be issued on 9 September 1999
The notification is tied to a specific issuance date. The text states that the denomination and characteristics of the currency notes to be issued on 9th September 1999 are “as shown in the Schedule.” This means the Schedule should be read as the definitive description for that issuance. For practitioners, the date linkage is crucial when advising on questions such as: whether a particular note design corresponds to an official series, whether a note is part of the intended issuance, and how to interpret disputes involving authenticity or classification.
3. The Schedule: description of Singapore “portrait” currency notes
The extract indicates that the Schedule contains “description of the singapore ‘portrait’ currency notes.” While the detailed Schedule content is not reproduced in the extract, the legal structure is clear: the Schedule is the substantive specification. In practice, the Schedule typically sets out the denominations (e.g., $10, $50, $100, etc.) and describes characteristics that may include design elements, portraits, colours, security features, and other identifying attributes.
4. “For general information” notification
The instrument states it is “hereby notified for general information.” This phrasing signals that the instrument is intended to be publicly available and to inform the general public, businesses, and relevant stakeholders. For legal interpretation, it supports the view that the Schedule is meant to be the reference point for what the official notes are, rather than a confidential or internal document.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
Although the extract does not show a conventional “Parts” or “sections” breakdown, the instrument is structured around a standard legislative template:
(a) Enacting formula: The instrument begins with an enacting formula that anchors it to the Currency Act and confirms the legal authority for the notification.
(b) The Schedule: The operative content is contained in the Schedule. The Schedule is where the denomination and characteristics are set out. The extract repeatedly directs the reader to the Schedule (“as shown in the Schedule”).
(c) Citation and status information: The portal metadata indicates the instrument number (No. S 393), the Currency Act authorisation, and the version status (“current version as at 27 March 2026”). This is important for practitioners because subsidiary legislation may be amended or consolidated over time, and the “current version” label helps confirm that the Schedule being consulted is the latest version available on the platform.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
This instrument applies broadly to persons and entities that interact with Singapore currency notes—particularly those who need to know what constitutes an official note issued on the specified date. While the notification is “for general information,” its legal effect is felt in areas such as cash handling, retail transactions, banking operations, and any context where the denomination and characteristics of notes are relevant.
In terms of direct legal actors, the Board of Commissioners of Currency is the key institutional body. The Board’s determinations are given statutory form through the notification. Practitioners advising financial institutions, cash-in-transit providers, or businesses that rely on automated cash processing should treat the Schedule as the authoritative reference for the design/characteristics of the specified “portrait” series issued on 9 September 1999.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
1. Legal clarity on what notes are officially issued
Currency systems depend on clear legal identification of what constitutes an official note. By specifying denomination and characteristics, the instrument reduces ambiguity. This is particularly important when there are multiple series, redesigns, or changes to security features over time. If a dispute arises—whether about authenticity, classification, or whether a note belongs to a particular issuance—this type of notification provides a documentary anchor.
2. Practical impact on authentication, cash processing, and compliance
From a practitioner’s perspective, the Schedule’s description can be relevant to operational compliance. Cash-handling systems (including ATMs, note sorters, and teller verification tools) often rely on reference characteristics. Even where the operational standards are governed by internal bank procedures or technical guidelines, the legal notification helps establish what the official characteristics are for the relevant issuance date.
3. Enforcement and dispute resolution support
While the extract does not show enforcement provisions, the instrument’s role in the Currency Act framework supports enforcement indirectly. The Currency Act governs currency issuance and related matters. A clear notification under section 17(5) strengthens the evidential basis for authorities and parties in disputes involving counterfeit notes or misidentification. In litigation or regulatory investigations, the existence of a dated, Schedule-based legal specification can be used to corroborate what the official notes were at the relevant time.
Related Legislation
- Currency Act (Chapter 69) — including section 17(5) (the authorising provision for this notification)
- Timeline / Legislation timeline — referenced by the portal to confirm the correct version as at a given date
- Authorising Act (as labelled in the portal metadata): Currency Act (Chapter 69)
Source Documents
This article provides an overview of the Denomination and Characteristics of the Currency Notes for legal research and educational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult the official text for authoritative provisions.