Singapore, 12 November 2002. The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) is pleased to announce the issue of the 2003 Year of the Goat coins and the Uncirculated Coin Set (5-cent to $5) on 3 January 2003. For the very first time, MAS will be issuing Singapore's smallest and largest gold coin. The smallest gold coin with a diameter of 7mm and the largest coin of 5 troy oz in 999.9 gold are set to bring a new era of excitement for coin collectors.

Launch of the 2003 Year of the Goat Coins and Uncirculated Coin Set (5-Cent To $5)

2   The Year of the Goat coins are the eleventh in the second series of the Chinese almanac coins first released on 2 January 1993.  Designed by Dr. Elsie Yu, the Year of the Goat coins are depicted in the traditional paper-cut design.  The obverse of the coins bears the Singapore Arms and the year-date 2003.

3   Besides the traditional $250 1 troy oz 999.9 Gold Proof Coin, $10 2oz 999 Silver Piedfort Proof Coin and $10 Cupro-Nickel Proof-Like Coin, new addition to the collection includes the $500 Gold Proof Coin, $5 Gold Proof Coin, $1 Gold BU Coin, $25 Silver Proof Coin and $2 Silver Proof Coin in Year 2003.

The details of the coins with the new sizes are: -

(a) $500 Gold Proof Coin (please see picture below '$500 Gold Coin')
Minted in 5 troy ounce of 999.9 fine gold, the mintage is limited to 200 pieces.  The issue price of the coin is $5,900 (inclusive of 3% GST).

(b) $5 Gold Proof Coin
This coin contains ? troy ounce of 999.9 fine gold.  The mintage is limited to 8,000 pieces and the issue price of the coin is $250.00 (inclusive of 3% GST).

(c) $1 Gold BU Coin (please see picture below '$1 Gold Coin')
This coin is the smallest 999.9 gold coin ever issued in Singapore's numismatic collection.  The diameter of the coin is only 7mm and its mintage is 8,000 pieces.  The issue price is $38.00 (inclusive of 3% GST).

(d) $25 Silver Proof Coin
Minted in 5 troy ounce of 999 fine silver, the mintage is limited to 250 pieces and the issue price of the coin is $350.00 (inclusive of 3% GST).

(e) $2 Silver Proof Coin
The coin is minted in 20gm 999 fine silver with mintage of 30,000 pieces and the issue price is $63.00 (inclusive of 3% GST).

4. The Lunar Goat Coins are also available in premium sets: -

(a) 3-in-1 Coin Set
The 3-in-1 coin set comprises a 1 troy oz 999.9 gold, 2 oz piedfort 999 silver, cupro-nickel coin and a minted ingot.  The special ingot is adapted from the famous classic Goat painting of the ancient artist Lang Shi Ning. The obverse of the ingot carries the certification by MAS.

The gold coin in the 3-coin set is engraved with a serial number matching that of the accompanying certificate of authenticity.  The mintage is limited to 2,000 sets and the issue price is $1,618.00 (inclusive of 3% GST).

(b) 5 oz Lunar Series Coin Set
The 5 oz Lunar Series Coin Set comprises the 5 oz 999.9 Gold Proof Coin and the 5 oz 999 Silver Proof Coin, displayed to form the auspicious symbol of the figure '8'.  Each coin set comes with a serialized certificate.  The mintage is limited to 88 sets and the issue price is $6,500.00 (inclusive of 3% GST).

(c) 2-in-1 Coin Set
The 2-in-1 coin set comprises a 2 oz piedfort 999 silver, cupro-nickel coin as well as a minted ingot.  The ingot design of the coin set is similar to that of the 3-in-1 coin set.  The mintage is limited to 3,000 sets and the issue price is $142.00 (inclusive of 3% GST).

(d) Lunar Pack (Cupro-nickel coin with CashCard)
This auspicious Lunar Pack comprises a cupro-nickel coin and a cashcard that features the ancient calligraphy of "Goat" in gold.  The price of this Lunar Pack is $38 (inclusive of 3% GST) with a mintage of 10,000 sets only.

2003 Uncirculated Coin Set (5c to $5)

5   The uncirculated coin set consists of 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, $1 denominations and a scallop-edged $5 coin which features a latent image of the year-date '2003' and the MAS logo for the first time.  This coin set is presented in an exquisitely designed Hongbao pack.   The coin set is priced at $14.50 (GST inclusive) and the mintage will be according to demand.

Goat Almanac Coin Single ez-link Card

6   The design of the Goat Almanac Coin Single ez-link Card features the $250 Gold Goat Coin and the famous classic Goat painting of the ancient artist Lang Shi Ning.  The ez-link card is another collectible issue for the first time. Each ez-link Card is priced at $15.00 (inclusive of 3% GST).

GST Rates

7   A 3% GST rate is applied to all orders received by 18 December 2002 and payment cleared before 31 December 2002.  For orders and purchases from 1 January 2003, the GST rate of 5% will apply.

Sale of Coins

8   The coins will be sold only by The Singapore Mint.

9   Details of the sale and order of the coins will be published as follows:
* The Straits Times 14 November 2002 (Thursday)
* Lianhe Zaobao     15 November 2002 (Friday)
* Lianhe Wanbao    16 November 2002 (Saturday)
 
10   Order forms can be obtained from:

(a) MAS office at Currency House, 109 Pasir Panjang Road Singapore 118 536

(b) The Singapore Mint's retail shops at

* 20 Teban Gardens Crescent, Singapore 608928
Tel: 65 66 26 26

* Starhub Centre, 51 Cuppage Road, #01-07, Singapore 229 469
Tel: 63 39 08 86

* Orchard MRT Station #B1-18, 437 Orchard Road, Singapore 238878
Tel: 67 35 00 12

(c) Selected 7-Eleven Stores

11   Orders can also be placed via:

(a) Internet at www.mint.com.sg

(b) Tele-ordering hotline 65 61 26 26

12   For priority allocation, order must be received before 18 December 2002.  All order forms can be sent to:

(a) 20 Teban Gardens Crescent, Singapore 608928 (By mail)

(b) 65 65 26 26/ 65 67 26 26/ 66 65 14 13 (By fax)

(c) Any of the Mint's retail outlets listed above

$500 Gold Coin	$1 Gold Coin

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