Statute Details
- Title: Denominations and Characteristics of Coins
- Act Code: CA1967-S699-2007
- Legislative Instrument Type: Subsidiary legislation (SL)
- Instrument Number: S 699/2007
- Authorising Act: Currency Act (Chapter 69)
- Authorising Provision: Section 17(5) of the Currency Act
- Enacting Formula / Legal Basis: Notified “for general information” pursuant to section 17(5)
- Status: Current version as at 27 Mar 2026
- Publication / Commencement (as per extract): Notified for coins to be issued on 4 January 2008
- Key Content: Denominations and characteristics of coins to be issued by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), set out in the Schedule
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—“for general information”—what coin denominations will be issued and what physical and design characteristics those coins will have.
Although the extract provided does not reproduce the Schedule itself, the legal mechanism is clear: the instrument is issued pursuant to section 17(5) of the Currency Act, and it specifies the denominations and characteristics of coins that the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) will issue on a particular date (here, 4 January 2008). The Schedule is the operative part that lists the relevant coin specifications.
Practically, such instruments support the integrity and uniformity of Singapore’s coinage. They ensure that coins in circulation conform to officially defined standards, which is important for lawful tender, vending and cash-handling systems, anti-counterfeiting measures, and consistent recognition by the public and businesses.
What Are the Key Provisions?
1. The statutory trigger: section 17(5) of the Currency Act
The instrument is expressly made “pursuant to section 17(5) of the Currency Act.” This matters for practitioners because it frames the legal authority and the intended function of the notification. Section 17(5) authorises MAS (through the relevant legal process) to determine and publish the denominations and characteristics of coins to be issued. The subsidiary instrument therefore operates as the official public record of those determinations.
2. “For general information”: the nature of the notification
The enacting formula states that it is “hereby notified for general information” that the denominations and characteristics of coins to be issued on 4 January 2008 are “as shown in the Schedule.” This language indicates that the instrument’s primary purpose is public disclosure and standard-setting, rather than creating a complex regulatory regime with multiple compliance duties.
That said, the notification is still legally significant. In disputes about whether a particular coin is genuine, whether it matches official specifications, or whether a coin is part of the authorised coinage, the Schedule provides the authoritative reference point.
3. The Schedule as the operative content
The extract repeatedly identifies “THE SCHEDULE”. In most coin-specification instruments, the Schedule contains a structured list (often by denomination) describing the coin’s physical attributes and design features. These typically include, for example, diameter, thickness, weight, metal composition, edge characteristics, and obverse/reverse design elements (such as inscriptions, symbols, and year/markings). The Schedule may also specify tolerances or other technical standards.
For legal work, the Schedule is the part you would cite when assessing conformity. If a coin is alleged to be counterfeit or altered, the Schedule’s specifications are the benchmark against which expert evidence can be compared.
4. MAS issuance date and the temporal scope
The instrument is tied to a specific issuance date: 4 January 2008. This temporal element is important because coin characteristics can change over time (e.g., design updates, commemorative issues, or replacement of coin series). Practitioners should therefore verify the relevant version of the instrument and the effective period for the coin series in question.
The extract also indicates that the instrument is part of a “timeline” and that there are “versions.” This suggests that the Schedule may have been amended or replaced in later years. In litigation or regulatory compliance contexts, counsel should ensure they rely on the correct version as at the relevant date.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
Based on the extract, the instrument is structured around a single principal component:
(a) Enacting formula — sets out the legal basis (section 17(5) of the Currency Act) and the purpose (general information).
(b) The Schedule — contains the detailed list of coin denominations and their characteristics. This is the core substantive content.
(c) Administrative metadata — includes the instrument number (S 699/2007), the publication/notification date (24 Dec 2007), and references to internal MAS/Attorney-General legislative file identifiers (e.g., “MAS 03/05/035; AG/LEG/SL/69/2002/1 Vol. 2”).
Even though the extract does not show multiple sections, the instrument’s legal effect is nonetheless anchored in the Schedule. In practice, the Schedule is treated as the authoritative specification list.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
The instrument is primarily directed at the Monetary Authority of Singapore in the sense that it records what MAS will issue. However, its practical application extends to anyone who interacts with Singapore coinage—members of the public, businesses, cash-handling services, and systems that accept coins.
While the notification itself may not impose direct “duties” on private parties in the way a licensing statute would, it becomes relevant wherever the official coin specifications matter. For example, in disputes about whether a coin is genuine, whether it conforms to official characteristics, or whether a coin is part of the authorised set for a given period, the Schedule provides the reference standard.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
1. It provides an authoritative technical benchmark
Coinage is inherently technical. The legal importance of this instrument is that it supplies an official, citable benchmark for the denominations and characteristics of coins issued by MAS. This supports consistent identification and reduces ambiguity in contexts such as cash processing, retail acceptance, and forensic examination of suspected counterfeits.
For practitioners, this is particularly relevant in evidentiary settings. If a coin is alleged to be counterfeit or modified, expert analysis can compare the coin’s measurable attributes against the Schedule’s specifications. The existence of a legal instrument listing those specifications strengthens the evidential foundation.
2. It underpins confidence in currency integrity
Singapore’s currency system relies on public trust and operational reliability. By formally publishing coin characteristics, MAS and the legal framework help ensure that coins in circulation are recognisably consistent and that counterfeiting can be more effectively detected. Even where the instrument is framed as “general information,” the publication of official standards is a cornerstone of currency integrity.
3. It matters for version control and temporal accuracy
The extract indicates that the instrument has a timeline and that there is a “current version as at 27 Mar 2026.” For legal work, this means you must be careful about which version applies to the relevant facts. A coin issued in 2008 may have characteristics defined by the 2007 instrument, but later amendments or replacement schedules could affect how later coins are described. In disputes involving the date of issuance, the period of circulation, or the authenticity of a particular coin series, counsel should confirm the correct version and the relevant issuance date.
Related Legislation
- Currency Act (Chapter 69) — in particular, section 17(5) (the authorising provision for this notification)
- Legislation Timeline / MAS coin-related subsidiary instruments — instruments that may update or replace coin denominations and characteristics over time (verify the timeline for the relevant coin series)
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.