The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) revealed a special S$10 coin on Monday, May 15, to commemorate the 100th birth anniversary of Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore's founding Prime Minister. The gold-colored LKY100 coins, minted in aluminium bronze, will be available for purchase at face value through application. With a diameter of 30mm, these coins are approximately 22 percent larger than the currently circulating Third Series S$1 coins.
MAS stated in a news release that the coin serves as a tribute to Lee Kuan Yew's strategic vision, courage, and unwavering determination, which transformed Singapore from a regional trading port into a global manufacturing, business, and financial hub, offering opportunities to all Singaporeans.
The reverse side of the coin showcases a portrait of Mr. Lee Kuan Yew, accompanied by Marina Barrage and the skyline of the Raffles Place financial district. The central bank further elaborated that the design highlights Mr. Lee's vision of constructing a freshwater reservoir in the city to enhance Singapore's water resilience. The backdrop features the Raffles Place financial district skyline, along with two heritage buildings that have played significant roles in Singapore's history—the Fullerton Hotel (previously the Fullerton Building/General Post Office) and the National Gallery Singapore (previously the Supreme Court and City Hall).
On the obverse side, alongside the Singapore Coat of Arms, the coin displays Mr. Lee's name, his birth and death years, the words "100th Birth Anniversary," and a dual latent image. This latent image reveals the year 1923 when viewed from one angle and the year 2023 when viewed from another, symbolizing the centennial celebration.
Local artist Weng Ziyan, known for designing banknotes commemorating Singapore's 50th year of independence, the Singapore bicentennial, and the 50th anniversary of the Brunei-Singapore Currency Interchangeability Agreement, created the coin's design.
The commemorative coin honoring Lee Kuan Yew's 100th birth anniversary showcases Singapore's deep respect and admiration for its visionary leader. It serves as a lasting tribute to his immense contributions in shaping Singapore into the prosperous nation it is today.
Application Process
Starting from Monday and running until June 9, applications for the Lee Kuan Yew commemorative coins can be submitted through a dedicated application website. Eligibility for application is limited to Singapore citizens and permanent residents, with each applicant allowed to apply for up to five coins.
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) stated that if demand surpasses supply, applicants may not receive the requested quantity of coins but will be guaranteed a minimum allocation of one coin. During the application process, individuals will need to provide their identity number, mobile phone number, and preferred bank branch for coin collection.
There is no upfront payment required during the application phase. Successful applicants will pay for the coins upon collection at their selected bank branches. Several banks, including DBS and POSB, OCBC, UOB, Bank of China, HSBC, Maybank, and Standard Chartered, will be participating in the distribution of the coins.
For those who require in-person assistance to submit their applications, community clubs or community centers, as well as ServiceSG centers at Our Tampines Hub and One Punggol, are available.
Successful applicants will receive SMS notifications starting in mid-August, and the coins will be ready for collection from September onwards. Unexchanged coins during the designated collection period will be made available for exchange at banks by the general public, including non-Singaporeans.
The final quantity of coins to be minted will be determined after the application period concludes, according to MAS. The release of the commemorative coin was announced earlier this year as part of a series of initiatives to mark the centenary of Mr. Lee's birth.
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