Saturday, October 16, 2010

2010 heritage orchids of Singapore coin

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) on 13 October 2010, launched the 2010 Heritage Orchids of Singapore $5 Silver Proof Coin. This is the final set of coins in the series issued in tribute to the Heritage Orchids of Singapore. Orchids are a significant feature of Singapore’s heritage and the orchid coin series have proven to be very popular with coin collectors. The 2010 Heritage Orchids of Singapore Coin Set features two local hybrids - Aranda Noorah Alsagoff and Aranthera Anne Black. The obverse of the coin bears the Singapore Arms with the year-date 2010. Two types of NETS Flashpay Cards featuring each of the two orchid species will also be issued together with the coin set. The coins and cards will be available in collectible sets on Wednesday, 13 October 2010.


(i) Aranda Noorah Alsagoff
Aranda Noorah Alsagoff played a major role in putting Singapore on the orchid breeders' map and contributed significantly to an export industry worth as much as $16 million per annum during the 1970s and 1980s. It was first grown in 1972 by Syed Yusof Alsagoff, a leading orchid hybridizer in Singapore. The orchid was named after his daughter.


(ii) Aranthera Anne Black
Aranthera Anne Black is the first VIP orchid of the Singapore Botanic Gardens. It was named after Lady Black, the wife of the former Governor of Singapore, Sir Robert Brown Black. With its unique scorpioid shaped flowers on a long spray together with long extended vase-life, this popular cultivar is still on the list of cut-flower orchids for export.


The details of the coin and card sets are as follows:

a) 2-in-1 $5 Silver Proof Coin Set
This coin set consists of two pieces of 999 fine silver coins with colour application. Each coin weighs 20 grams and has a diameter of 38.70mm. Each set is accompanied by two certificates of authenticity with the same serial number. Mintage of 8,000 sets only.

b) 2-in-1 NETS Flashpay Card Set
This card set consists of two types of NETS Flashpay cards featuring the two orchid species. Both cards in the set have the same serial number. Mintage of 3,000 sets only.

c) $5 Silver Proof Coin & NETS Flashpay Cards Set
The coin and card set consists of two pieces of 999 fine silver coins with colour application and two NETS Flashpay Cards. Each set is accompanied by two certificates of authenticity with the same serial number, which is also featured in the cards. Mintage of 1,000 sets only.

Source: Singapore Mint

Related Posts: