Statute Details
- Title: Denominations and Characteristics of Coins
- Act Code: CA1967-S510-2006
- Legislative Instrument Type: Subsidiary legislation (SL)
- Authorising Act: Currency Act (Chapter 69)
- Authorising Provision: Section 17(5) of the Currency Act
- Instrument Number: S 510
- Publication/Commencement (as per timeline): 31 August 2006
- Status: Current version as at 27 March 2026
- Key Content: Notifies, for general information, the denominations and physical characteristics of coins to be issued on a specified date
- Schedule: “THE SCHEDULE” (contains the denominations and characteristics)
What Is This Legislation About?
The “Denominations and Characteristics of Coins” instrument is a Singapore subsidiary legislative notification made under the Currency Act (Chapter 69). In plain terms, it tells the public—and relevant stakeholders—what coin denominations will be issued and how those coins are characterised (for example, their denomination and physical features as set out in the Schedule).
Unlike a typical “regulatory” statute that creates broad compliance obligations for the public, this instrument is primarily an official specification document. It operates as a formal legal notice that the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) will issue coins on a particular date, and that the coins’ denominations and characteristics are those stated in the Schedule.
The instrument’s legal significance lies in its linkage to the Currency Act. Section 17(5) of the Currency Act empowers the relevant authority to specify, by notification, the denominations and characteristics of coins to be issued. This ensures that coin specifications are anchored in law, providing certainty for commerce, cash handling, vending and ticketing systems, banking operations, and the public’s ability to identify valid currency.
What Are the Key Provisions?
1. Notification of coin denominations and characteristics
The core operative statement is that, “pursuant to section 17(5) of the Currency Act,” MAS is authorised to issue coins on a specified date, and the denominations and characteristics of those coins are “as shown in the Schedule.” This means the Schedule is the authoritative source for the coin specifications.
2. Specified issue date
The instrument specifies that the coins are to be issued on 5 September 2006. This is important for legal and operational planning: financial institutions, retailers, cash-in-transit providers, and automated systems need advance notice of when new coin types will enter circulation.
3. Legal effect as a public notice
The enacting language frames the notification as being “for general information.” That phrasing does not reduce its legal importance; rather, it indicates the instrument is meant to be publicly accessible and transparent. In practice, such notifications help establish what constitutes the official coinage and reduce disputes about validity, recognition, and acceptance.
4. Reliance on the Schedule as the definitive specification
The instrument is structured around “THE SCHEDULE.” While the extract provided does not reproduce the Schedule’s table or descriptive entries, the legal architecture is clear: the Schedule contains the denominations and characteristics. For a practitioner, the Schedule is therefore the primary document to consult when advising on matters such as coin recognition, counterfeit risk, and the technical parameters that define official coinage.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
This instrument is short and notification-based. It follows a standard legislative format: an enacting formula, followed by THE SCHEDULE, which contains the substantive details. The instrument also includes administrative and versioning elements typical of Singapore’s legislative publication system, including a timeline showing the original publication date (31 August 2006) and the current version status (as at 27 March 2026).
From a legal research perspective, the key structural point is that the Schedule is not merely illustrative—it is the authoritative specification. Therefore, when reviewing the instrument, counsel should treat the Schedule as the “substantive” part and not rely solely on the short preamble or enacting formula.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
The instrument is directed at the public in the sense that it is issued “for general information.” However, its practical reach is broader than mere awareness. It affects anyone who handles, recognises, accepts, or processes Singapore coins—particularly MAS, banks, merchants, cash logistics providers, and operators of automated payment or vending systems.
While the extract does not show any explicit duties imposed on private parties, the legal notice of official coin characteristics can be relevant in disputes about whether a particular coin is genuine or whether a machine or process is correctly configured to accept valid currency. In that way, the instrument indirectly shapes compliance and operational standards across the cash economy.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
1. Legal certainty for currency recognition
Coinage is foundational to everyday commerce. By specifying denominations and characteristics in a legally authorised instrument, Singapore ensures that the definition of official coins is clear and stable. This reduces ambiguity for financial institutions and the public, and it supports consistent recognition across the economy.
2. Operational readiness and transition management
The instrument’s specified issue date (5 September 2006) is crucial. New coin introductions require updates to cash handling procedures, staff training, machine programming (e.g., coin acceptors), and accounting systems. A formal notification helps stakeholders plan for the transition and avoid operational disruptions.
3. Support for enforcement and dispute resolution
Although this particular instrument is framed as a general information notice, it provides an evidential baseline for determining what the official coin specifications are. In counterfeit-related matters, acceptance disputes, or regulatory inquiries, the Schedule’s details can be used to compare the physical and functional characteristics of coins in question against the legally specified standards.
4. Integration with the Currency Act framework
The instrument is not standalone; it is part of a broader statutory framework under the Currency Act. Section 17(5) is the enabling provision. This matters for practitioners because it clarifies the legislative pathway: MAS’s coin specifications are not arbitrary; they are issued under statutory authority, which strengthens the legitimacy and enforceability of the coin specifications.
Related Legislation
- Currency Act (Chapter 69) — in particular, section 17(5) (the authorising provision for notifications on coin denominations and characteristics)
- Legislation Timeline / Versioning Records — for confirming the correct version as at a given date (e.g., current version as at 27 March 2026)
Source Documents
This article provides an overview of the Denominations and Characteristics of Coins for legal research and educational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult the official text for authoritative provisions.