Author: Wei Jie

Categories
Banknotes

Two Triangles

Recently, small triangles have appeared on the reverse of the $1000 Singapore banknote, in addition to the square dots spotted on other denominations. This security feature was added in early 2009, but its purpose is not revealed to the public. The two triangles are found below the word ‘Government’ on the reverse. Today, many collectors are still puzzled about the presence of such symbols.

As mentioned in our previous article, ‘there may be other shapes, such as circles, stars or triangles’. My hypothesis remains as such: The symbols represent the year of printing. In January 2009, $10 notes with one square dot appeared in circulation. In October 2009, there were $10 notes with two square dots, $100 notes with one or two square dots and $1000 notes with one square dot. In December 2009, $50 notes with one square dot appeared. In January 2010, $2 notes with two square dots are commonly seen. In February 2010, $1000 notes with two square dots are found circulating.

Based on the above, one square dot may represent the year 2008, two square dots 2009 and two triangles 2010. This is just a guess!

The first prefix for the new $1000 note, signed by Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, Chairman of the Monetary Authority of Singapore, is 2AA.

Scans provided by Vincent Tan.

Categories
Stamps

Playgrounds

On 9 March 2010, SingPost released the stamp issue on Playgrounds. With a cartoon inspired illustration, six of the most popular playgrounds in Singapore are printed on the stamps.

“Ask anyone in Singapore and they will be able to recall fond memories of fun times at the playground as a child. Playgrounds are important places for children to play in. Playing helps children to develop their social skills, physical coordination, strength and flexibility. All these become their lifelong skill sets that are carried forward into their adulthood.”

West Coast Park, one of the largest parks in Singapore, is pictured on the 1st local stamp. The Toa Payoh Dragon Head Playground, which stands at the junction of Kim Keat Link and Lorong 6 Toa Payoh, is found on the 50c stamp. The newly built Sengkang Sculpture Park (65c) contains a collection of marine life-themed sculptures and is a popular hangout for children.

The 80c stamp shows the Vivo City alfresco playground containing unique water features and playground equipment. Pasir Ris Park is one of the all-time favourite family-friendly places and is depicted on the $1.10 stamp. Lastly, Hindhede Nature Park ($2), an adventure park located at the foot of Bukit Timah Hill, is one of the popular destinations for those who enjoy physical challenges.

Categories
Postcards

Postcard: Beijing 2008

This week, we feature a postcard showing a bird’s eye view of the Beijing Olympic Green. On the left side is the Beijing National Stadium, colloquially known as the Bird’s Nest. With a construction cost of US$423 million, the 80,000-seater stadium is the world’s largest steel structure. This postcard also shows the Beijing National Aquatics Centre illuminated at night. The exterior is surrounded by 4,000 bubbles and is commonly known as the Water Cube.

Sent: 19 February 2010
Received: 26 February 2010

Also, check out the earlier post on the HK$20 Beijing Olympics commemorative note!

Categories
Postcards

Chinese New Year Postcard

Today is the fifteenth and last day of Chinese New Year, as well as the last day of February. Families usually celebrate this special day by eating glutinous rice balls, commonly known as Tangyuan.

Every year, China Post would issue postcards for the Chinese New Year. Also known as lottery New Year postcards, each of the cards bears a unique serial number. A list of winning serial numbers will be announced on the China Post website later today. Prizes can be redeemed from 5 March to 5 May 2010.

The postcard has a simple hand-drawn design which reflects the Chinese culture during the New Year. Regardless of age, people are dressed in red, as this colour is regarded as auspicious. On the fifteenth day of the New Year, children would walk around with lanterns, as shown on the postcard.

Sent from a friend in Beijing on 19 February 2010, the fifth day of the New Year, this card arrived in my mailbox yesterday, just in time for the last day of the New Year.

Categories
Stamps

Destination Singapore

On 22 February 2010, Singapore Post has released a new Self-service Automated Machine (SAM) label design on the theme ‘Destination Singapore’. The labels will first be made available at the machines in the Singapore Post Centre branch, S151 and S712.

The cover above was sent by Terence Wong, showing both the old and new label. Yes, old labels can still be obtained at all other machines!

The design is similar to that of the stamp issue on the 150 Years of Singapore Botanic Gardens, overprinted with the words ‘Destination Singapore’ in red. Each SAM label measures 49 mm by 26 mm.

According to a notice released today, the SAM labels will be released at Jurong Point (from 2 March 2010 onwards), Killiney Road (3 March), Tanglin (4 March) and Change Alley (5 March) next week. Following which, the new set of labels can be purchased from the SAMs located at Robinson Road (8 March), Chinatown Point (9 March), Toa Payoh Central (10 March), Thomson Road (11 March), Changi Airport (12 March) and Woodlands Central (15 March). Collectors may wish to collect the entire set of stamp labels from the above philatelic branches. The stamp labels will be introduced at other branches progressively from 16 March 2010.

Categories
Coins

1991 Uncirculated Coin Set

The latest addition to my collection is the New 1991 Brilliant Uncirculated Coin Set. This set was issued on 29 October 1991 with a mintage of 70,000 sets. In that year, a new aluminium-bronze $5 coin was also introduced as part of the uncirculated coin set. The $5 coin was issued in 1990 to commemorate Singapore’s 25th Anniversary. From 1992, the $5 coin has been replaced by the bimetallic, scallop-edged coin designed by local artist and sculptor Dr Elise Yu.

Categories
Banknotes

Beijing 2008 Commemorative Note

A special commemorative banknote was issued by the Bank of China (Hong Kong) a month before the 2008 Beijing Olympics (XXIX Olympiad). A total of four million pieces of HK$20 Olympic banknotes were printed. Since there were multiple-in-one packages, there were only 3.14 million items available for sale, of which 2.93 million of these items were sold in Hong Kong.

The single HK$20 banknote is presented in a blue-purple folder and is sold for HK$138, almost seven times its face value. The 4-in-1 uncut sheets are sold for HK$338, while the 35-in-1 uncut sheets are sold for HK$1388. Queues started two days before the note was made available to the public.

Features on the obverse include a picture of a plinth, the official Beijing Olympics emblem and the Bank of China Tower in Hong Kong. The Olympic Stadium, commonly known as the ‘Bird’s Nest’ is shown on the reverse.

This banknote shares the same colour and size as the 2003 HK$20 note issued by the Bank of China (Hong Kong). However, new security features such as bright-and-highlighted watermarks and colour-changing windowed threads were introduced. The serial number consists of six digits and may include a two-letter prefix. The prefixes include AA, BJ and HK. The remaining 1 million banknotes do not bear a prefix.

Categories
Coins

Year of the Tiger 2010

Today, we welcome the Year of the Tiger (as well as Valentine’s Day). People around the world celebrate the first day of Chinese New Year, one of the most significant dates on the Lunar calendar. The Tiger is the third of the 12-animal Chinese zodiac. This is the year of the Metal Tiger, which lasts until 2 February 2011.

Every year, the Monetary Authority of Singapore would issue an uncirculated coin set to signify an auspicious and prosperous year ahead, and is presented in the form of a red packet, commonly known as a ‘hongbao’. This coin set features the second series of circulation coins in Singapore, as well as the scallop-edged $5 coin which has been introduced in 1992. This year, the coin set retails for $20 and can be purchased from the Singapore Mint.

Categories
Stamps

Freepost

Last month, Singapore Post gave its customers a Freepost envelope, similar to a postage prepaid envelope. This means that the postage to any local address is free. This C5 sized envelope is valid for postage up to 40 grams. On the back, there are different advertisement designs featuring the services provided by Singapore Post. However, this envelope is no longer available to customers since the promotion is over. If you would like one, try requesting excess stocks from the counter staff.

Categories
Banknotes

Chinese New Year Rush

With less than two weeks left to the Lunar New Year, banks around Singapore (and perhaps other parts of the world) have been flooded with people, mostly to exchange for new notes. The use of new notes for the New Year symbolises a new beginning. Pieces of mint-fresh paper money fill up the red packets and are given out at family gatherings during this festive period. Stocks seem to be depleting quickly at OCBC for the $2, $5 and $10 denominations.

However, queuing up may take some time, especially during lunch hours. At around 3 pm yesterday, long queues were formed in the Serangoon Garden branches of DBS, OCBC and UOB. For example, it took me close to 35 minutes to exchange for new notes at DBS.

To avoid the long queues at local banks, you may wish to try obtaining your new banknotes at banks like Citibank, HSBC, Maybank or Standard Chartered. For example, there were only three other people in queue at HSBC Serangoon Garden when I visited the bank yesterday afternoon. Try visiting areas where different banks are located near one another. My favourite clusters (containing at least 5 banks, within walking distance) include Serangoon Garden, Ang Mo Kio Central and Holland Village.

In addition, $2 notes with two square dots at the back have been spotted. Currently, square dots have appeared on five of the seven denominations: $2, $10, $50, $100 and $1000, of which the notes either contain one, two or no square dots. Square dots have not been spotted on denominations of $5 and $10000 yet.