Statute Details
- Title: Denominations and Characteristics of the Coins
- Act Code: CA1967-S274-2007
- Type: Subsidiary legislation (SL)
- Authorising Act: Currency Act (Chapter 69)
- Key Enabling Provision: Section 17(5) of the Currency Act
- Commencement / Notification Date: 20 June 2007
- Instrument Number: No. S 274
- Commencement of Coin Issue (as stated): 25 June 2007
- Status: Current version as at 27 Mar 2026 (per the extract)
- Parts: Not specified in the extract (instrument appears to be a schedule-based notification)
- Key Sections: The instrument is structured around “THE SCHEDULE” (denominations and characteristics)
- Related Legislation: Currency Act; legislation timeline (versioning)
What Is This Legislation About?
The “Denominations and Characteristics of the Coins” instrument is a Singapore subsidiary legal instrument issued for general information. In practical terms, it sets out the denominations of coins and the physical characteristics those coins must have when issued by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). The instrument is not a broad regulatory code; rather, it functions as an official specification document that supports the legal framework for Singapore’s currency.
In the extract provided, the instrument is expressly made “pursuant to section 17(5) of the Currency Act”. That enabling provision empowers the relevant authority to notify the public of the denominations and characteristics of coins that will be issued. The notification is timed to a particular coin issue date (25 June 2007 in the extract). This means the legal effect is closely tied to the currency issuance process: it provides a legally authoritative reference for what coins are, how they look, and how they are identified.
For lawyers and practitioners, the key point is that this instrument helps ensure certainty and uniformity in the definition of coinage. It also supports enforcement and dispute resolution in contexts where the authenticity, denomination, or identification of coins may be relevant (for example, in fraud, counterfeiting, or payment disputes). Even where the instrument itself is short, it is part of a larger statutory architecture governing Singapore’s currency.
What Are the Key Provisions?
1. Legal basis and form of notification. The instrument begins with the enacting formula and states that it is “hereby notified for general information” that the denominations and characteristics of coins to be issued on 25 June 2007 by MAS are “as shown in the Schedule.” This language is important: it indicates the instrument is a public notification rather than a regulatory prohibition or a licensing regime. Its function is to publish the official specifications.
2. The schedule as the substantive content. The extract highlights “THE SCHEDULE” as the core of the instrument. While the provided text does not reproduce the schedule’s table or descriptive specifications, the structure makes clear that the schedule contains the actual details—typically including the coin’s denomination and identifying characteristics (such as size, composition, design elements, inscriptions, and other physical attributes). In practice, the schedule is what a practitioner would consult to determine what coins are legally recognised for the relevant issuance.
3. Timing: coins to be issued on a specified date. The instrument specifies that the denominations and characteristics relate to coins “to be issued on 25th June 2007.” This temporal element matters. Currency specifications can change over time (for example, new series, commemorative issues, or design updates). By tying the notification to a particular issue date, the instrument helps avoid ambiguity about which specifications apply to which coin series.
4. Reference to the enabling authority and internal MAS/legislative identifiers. The extract includes references such as “[MAS 03/05/035; AG/LEG/SL/69/2002/1 Vol. 2]”. These citations are not merely administrative; they show that the instrument is grounded in MAS’s operational decisions and the Attorney-General’s legislative processing. For legal research, these identifiers can be useful when tracing the legislative history, amendments, or related documentation.
Practical note for practitioners: Because the extract does not show the schedule contents, a lawyer would normally retrieve the full “THE SCHEDULE” section from the official legislation database to obtain the exact denomination list and the precise characteristics. For matters involving coin identification, authenticity, or payment disputes, the schedule’s details are the operative reference.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
This instrument is structured in a straightforward way typical of schedule-based subsidiary legislation. It contains:
(a) An enacting formula that states the legal basis (section 17(5) of the Currency Act) and the purpose (general information notification).
(b) A short body that identifies the subject matter: denominations and characteristics of coins to be issued on a specified date by MAS.
(c) “THE SCHEDULE” as the substantive component, where the denominations and characteristics are set out in a structured format (often a table or list). The schedule is the primary source a practitioner would consult.
(d) Versioning and status information indicating that the “current version” is as at 27 March 2026, with a timeline showing the original notification date (20 June 2007) and the instrument number (SL 274/2007 or No. S 274).
Although the extract does not show multiple parts or sections, the overall design reflects a common legislative technique: use a schedule to publish technical specifications while keeping the main text concise and legally anchored to an enabling statute.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
On its face, the instrument applies to the public in the sense that it is “notified for general information.” It does not impose duties directly on citizens in the way that, for example, a regulatory compliance statute would. Instead, it defines and publishes the official specifications of coins that MAS is authorised to issue.
However, the practical reach is broader. The instrument is relevant to anyone whose conduct or rights depend on the recognition of coinage—such as businesses accepting cash payments, financial institutions, retailers, and enforcement agencies. In addition, it is relevant in legal proceedings where the identity of a coin (denomination and characteristics) is in issue. Even though the instrument is informational, it can become evidentially significant because it provides an authoritative legal reference for what the coins are.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
First, the instrument supports legal certainty in Singapore’s currency system. Currency is foundational to commerce, taxation, and everyday transactions. If the denominations and physical characteristics of coins were not clearly specified, disputes could arise about whether a particular coin is genuine, what denomination it represents, or whether it is part of the current authorised series.
Second, it strengthens the integrity of the monetary system by enabling consistent identification. In counterfeiting or fraud investigations, investigators and prosecutors need reliable references to compare suspected coins against official specifications. Similarly, in civil disputes (for example, where a party alleges underpayment or misrepresentation of payment), the schedule’s technical details can be crucial.
Third, the instrument demonstrates how Singapore uses a layered legislative approach: the Currency Act provides the overarching legal framework, while subsidiary instruments like this one publish the technical specifications needed to implement that framework. For practitioners, this means that currency-related legal questions often require reading both the enabling Act and the relevant notification instrument(s), including checking the correct version and timeline.
Finally, the versioning note (“current version as at 27 Mar 2026”) underscores an important research practice: practitioners must ensure they are consulting the correct instrument version applicable to the relevant time period. Coin characteristics may be updated, and the legal relevance of a schedule can depend on the issue date or the series in question.
Related Legislation
- Currency Act (Chapter 69) — in particular section 17(5) (enabling the notification of coin denominations and characteristics)
- Legislation timeline / version history — to confirm the correct instrument version as at the relevant date
Source Documents
This article provides an overview of the Denominations and Characteristics of the Coins for legal research and educational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult the official text for authoritative provisions.