Singapore, 2 December 2004...The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) today launched the 2005 Year of Rooster Almanac coin.  At the same time, MAS also launched the first coloured Almanac coin - The 2005 $10 Silver Piedfort Proof Coin features the rooster in full colour.

2005 Year of the Rooster Coins

2   The Year of the Rooster coin is the first in the new third series of Chinese Almanac Coins. This third series was designed by Mr Xu Yunfei of Shanghai Mint. Inspired by Chinese calligraphy, the Rooster is symbolised by the Chinese character of the "Heavenly Stem and Earthly Branches" to enhance the characteristics of the Rooster and the oriental cultural flavour. The coins are produced by The Singapore Mint.

3   The first series of almanac coins, issued in 1981, features a realistic representation of the 12 animals.  The second series, issued in 1993, depicts the animals in traditional Chinese paper-cut design. The second series of almanac coins was completed last year with the Year of the Monkey coin.

4   Also for the first time, an 8-sided floral-shaped ingot is included for selected premium sets.  The ingot features a rooster and its family in a serene setting, from a masterpiece by renowned local artist Mr Choo Keng Kwang . The obverse of the coin bears the Singapore Arms with the year-date 2005.

Limited Worldwide Mintage

5   The coins will be issued on Wednesday, 29 December 2004.   The details of the coins are:

a) $200 Gold Proof Coin
5 troy ounce of 999.9 fine gold.  Very limited mintage of 200 pieces.   Issue price:   $5,889.00 (GST inclusive).

b) $100 Gold Proof Coin
1 troy ounce of 999.9 fine gold.  Mintage of 5,000 pieces.   Issue price:   $1,200.00 (GST inclusive).

c) $5 Gold Proof Coin
1/4 troy ounce of 999.9 fine gold.  Mintage is limited to 8,000 pieces.  Issue price:   $298.00 (GST inclusive).

d) $1 Gold Brilliant Uncirculated Coin (please see picture below "$1 Gold Coin")
Measuring only 7mm in diameter and weighing only 0.3 gm, it is the smallest 999.9 gold coin in the world.  The coin is housed in an exquisite card featuring a painting of a pair of roosters by Mr Choo Keng Kwang.  Limited mintage of 8,000 pieces.   Issue price:  $38.70 (GST inclusive).

e) $25 Silver Proof Coin
Minted in 5 troy ounce of 999 fine silver, this is the largest coin issued by MAS.  Very low mintage of 250 pieces.  Issue price:  $368.00 (GST inclusive).

 f)  $10 Silver Piedfort Proof Colour Coin (please see picture below "$10 Silver Coin")
The  first Singapore Almanac Coin  in colour.  The rooster featured on this coin is in full colour.  Double the thickness of an ordinary coin.  2 troy ounce of 999 fine silver.   Mintage is 30,000 pieces.  Issue price:   $99.90 (GST inclusive).

g) $2 Silver Proof Coin
20 gm 999 fine silver.  Mintage of 10,000 pieces. Issue price:  $50.00 (GST inclusive).

h) $2  Cupro-Nickel Proof-Like Coin
Proof-like condition and mintage is based on demand.   Issue price:  $16.50   each (inclusive of 5%GST).

6   The Lunar Rooster Coins are also available in premium sets: -

a) 3-in-1 Coin Set 
Consists of a 1 troy ounce 999.9 gold proof coin, a 2 troy ounce 999 silver piedfort coloured coin, a cupro-nickel proof-like coin and a floral-shaped ingot .

The gold coin in the 3-in-1 coin set is engraved with a serial number matching that of the accompanying certificate of authenticity.    Only 2,000 sets would be sold.  Issue price: $1,618.00 (GST inclusive).

b) 5 Troy Ounce Lunar Series Coin Set
Consists of a 5 troy ounce 999.9 fine gold proof coin and a 5 troy ounce 999 fine silver proof coin.  They are displayed to form the auspicious figure "8".  Each coin set comes with a serialised certificate.   Only 88 sets are available.  Issue price:  $6,568.00 (GST inclusive).

c) 2-in-1 Coin Set
Consists of a 2 troy ounce 999 fine silver piedfort proof coin, a cupro-nickel proof-like coin and a floral-shaped ingot.  Limited to 3,000 sets only.  Issue price:  $138.00 (GST inclusive).

d) Lunar Pack
Comprises a cupro-nickel proof-like coin and a cashcard featuring a calligraphic depiction of the rooster with the Chinese characters ""(success in all endeavours).  10,000 sets are available. Issue price:  $31.00 (GST inclusive).

2005 Uncirculated Coin Set (5? to $5)

7   It consists of 5?, 10?, 20?, 50?, $1 and a 8-sided scallop-edged $5 coin with a latent image of the year-date "2005" and the MAS logo.  The set is presented in an attractive Hongbao pack featuring the Lunar Rooster and peonies, which symbolise happiness and good fortune.  At the side of the set is an auspicious Chinese blessing "" Issue price: $14.75 (GST inclusive).

Rooster Almanac Coin Single ez-link Card

8   The Rooster Almanac Coin Single ez-link Card features the coin design and Mr Choo Keng Kwang's masterpiece of a rooster and its family under a flowering tree with an auspicious Chinese saying ""  Each ez-link Card is priced at $15.30 (GST inclusive).

Sale of Coins

9   The coins will be sold by The Singapore Mint.

10   Details of the sale and order for the coins will be published as follows:

• The Straits Times                                  3 December 2004 (Friday)
• Lianhe Zaobao                                      4 December 2004 (Saturday)
• Shin Min Daily News                            10 December 2004 (Friday)

11   Order forms can be obtained from:
 
       a)  The Singapore Mint's retail shops at

• The Singapore Mint Coin Gallery
  20 Teban Gardens Crescent, Singapore 608928
  Tel: 6566 2626
• Coin City, Starhub Centre
  51 Cuppage Road, #01-07, Singapore 229469
  Tel: 6339 0886

       b)  MAS Currency House at 109 Pasir Panjang Road, Singapore 118536.

12   Orders can also be placed via Internet at www.mint.com.sg.

13   For priority allocation, orders must reach The Singapore Mint by 25 December 2004.  Order forms can be sent to the above outlets or faxed to The Singapore Mint at 6565 2626 or 6567 2626 or 6665 1413.  For enquiries, you can contact The Singapore Mint at Tel: 6566 2626 / 6895 0386 / 6895 0383 during office hours.