Singapore Bird Series ~ $50 & $100

Issued on 6th August 1976, this series has nine denominations as in the first except that the $20note(see earlier blog) was introduced to replace the $25 note of the 'Orchid' series.

Predominant Colour: Blue

Size: 157mmx 75mm        

                                                           Qty Printed: 148 million pieces

                                                           Printer: Thomas De La Rue & Co Ltd  

                                                             Issued on 1st February 1977.

                                                             Predominant Colour: Blue

                                                             Size: 165mm x 78mm
                                                             Qty Printed: 22.7 million pieces
                                                             Printer: Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co Ltd

The dominant feature is a bird on the left hand side of the front of each note. Birds are noted for their strength, adaptability and independence whch characterize the young Republic of Singapore with the potential to soar to greater heights in its progress.

On the front of the note is the Singapore Coat of Arms, lion's head watermark and the signature and seal of the then Minister of Finance and Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of Currency Singapore, Mr Hon Sui Sen. Incidently, the bird series do not have signature varities like it's precedessor the 'Orchid'.

An error note acquired decades back..................................................Can you spot the error?

 Another error note  with reverse wet ink overprint of the skyline and $50 numeral.

                                       The obverse view of the wet ink error note.


The following notes are replacement notes:

Note the different prefixes; Z/1 & Z/2, highly sought after as a set with identical serial numbers.....do you have any matching numbers? Contact me if you have.

               

   Regretfully, my one and only legal tender $100 piece, but with unique "triplet" serial number.

Singapore $20 Bird Series Concept to Actual



These two letters first appeared in the local newspaper, The Straits Times, around about mid December 1973 and it would take another 6 years before the actual note was issued into circulation.                                                     



10 December 1973



 



                  18 December 1973



About 6 years later.........................



extracted from The Straits Times dated 4 August 1979





extracted from Singapore MoneyBook



   The first series with a minor error.......slight over inking of the serial numbers "65" (enlarge to appreciate)



Singapore $1 ~ Another Thomas De La Rue Mistake ?

 First, I must say a BIG THANK YOU for your patience and concerns that I have not written a blog for more than a month..........well you asked for it..............a pretty lengthy one though!

The Straits Times 10 January 1987



                                   One of the first issued notes...........regretfully rather soiled.




Extracted from the Singapore MoneyBook published by MoneyWorld Asia Pte Ltd



                                        Quiz: Can you spot the MISTAKE on the banknote?

 Have a closer look......................

                                                 A series of unique serial numbers

Still cannot spot the mistake??

The Straits Times 11 February 1987

 Going and getting BLUE?????

Well, here is the MISTAKE................................................................................................

This letter was published in the Straits Times of 11 February 1987

The first BOO BOO from the printers, Thomas De La Rue????????????

(refer to my earlier blog on the Singapore $2 banknote for the second BOO BOO)

Sure makes banknote study a delightful hobby ;-)

This series of Singapore banknote is also unique, there being two different signatories and designations printed using the same prefix: D/14.

 Is there anyone having the same serial number but with different signatory and designation?

Alas, all good things have to come to an end.....................................

This is my 'last' piece..... anyone got the actual 'Last' piece? Do offer me as I am willing to buy!

The Straits Times 16 January 1990

Now my collection of Uncirculated $1,  Z series replacement banknotes and I have lots circulated ones for sale, email me if you are interested.

The common Z/1 variety signed by Dr Goh Keng Swee



The Scarce Z/2 variety signed by Dr Goh Keng Swee





                          The rare variety Z/2 signed by Dr Richard Hu Tsu Tau

Pandemonium Singapore Bird Series Banknotes..................

  

                                                  The Straits Times dated 5th August 1976

This specimen piece of the $10 bird series is part of an album of bird series specimen notes bought at a local auction a few years after it was officially released to the general public during  the Singapore International Coin Convention of 1989 (refer blog article of 25th July 2010).


I was fortunate enough to purchase the complete album at a price which was way below the issue price of $1100 at a local auction in the early 1990's

 
                 The Straits Times dated 7th Dec 1976

 A major point to ponder with regards to this next Straits Times article dated 9th August 1976.....



Does this point of law still stands in today's day and age? Would any of our learned friends care to comment?

The notes were issued with two different types of security thread, these with the first few single digit prefixes are of the straight  security thread ones.................... 

                                                             offset serial number error

                                                 lower digit "5" with bold ink print error
 

state crest wet ink transfer error              



left side of note printed slightly off centre



The errors seen are not standard issues, these happen to be that I collect $10 solid security thread bird series errors ;-)


.................................The later series of broken and jagged security threads was issued some time in October 1976 and it caused a major stir & panic among the illiterate population (why is it that it always starts first with the stupid illiterate ones and that it will come out from the market place? You will see what I mean, from the following newspaper articles.....)

                                                              The Straits Times dated 30th Nov 1976



The following articles were from The Straits Times dated 1st Dec 1976....................

 

From the Editorial Section of The Straits Times dated 1st Dec 1976,,,,,,,,

 Thus ends the saga of the pandemonium of modern Singapore currency?  nooooo.................. this is not the end or final, as there are more of these to come..............stay connected!

Following are Replacement Notes of the $10 Bird Series collected over the years......