Singapore, 11 November 2016… The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) today unveiled the Singapore Botanic Gardens UNESCO World Heritage Site Commemorative Coin to celebrate the inscription of the Singapore Botanic Gardens (SBG) into the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. SBG is Singapore’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site and the only tropical botanic garden in the world to be inscribed into the list. The coin will be issued on 29 November 2016.

Coin Design

2   The coin design showcases various elements that contributed to the success of SBG’s inscription as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, namely:-

a) A cluster of rubber trees with herringbone incisions, V-shaped cuts which allow the bark of the tree to be reopened for tapping of latex at regular intervals without causing harm to the tree, is depicted on the left of the coin to signify SBG’s contribution to the commercial success of rubber in the region;

b) The Bandstand, one of the best known features of SBG, is portrayed with accompanying yellow rain trees at the centre;

c) Sprays of Renanthera Singapore Botanic Gardens and Grammatophyllum speciosum, commonly known as the Tiger orchid, line the bottom of the coin. These two species of orchids were selected given their significance to SBG. The Renanthera SBG showcases SBG’s world renowned orchid hybridisation programme that was established in the 1920s while the Tiger Orchid represents SBG’s long history in orchid cultivation, with the first specimen planted in 1861 still existing today at 155 years of age.

3   The elements are featured in vibrant colours and intricate engravings against a shiny surface, within an outer sandblasted rim. The obverse of the coin bears the Singapore Coat of Arms with the year 2016.

4   More details of the coin are in the Annex.

Sale of Coins

5   The coins will be sold by The Singapore Mint. For enquiries and orders, the public can contact The Singapore Mint at 6566 2626 / 6895 0288 / 6222 2486 / 6238 2878 or via the internet at www.singaporemint.com .

6   Orders must reach The Singapore Mint by 28 November 2016. The coins will be subjected to balloting if oversubscribed.

Annex

Singapore Botanic Gardens UNESCO World Heritage Site Commemorative Coin

The coin can be purchased individually or as a coin set. The details are as follows:

a) 1 troy oz 999 Fine Silver Proof Colour Coin
The coin weighs 1 troy oz, has a face value of $5 and a diameter of 40.70mm, with colour application. Mintage: 15,000 pieces only

b) 1 troy oz 999 Fine Silver Proof Colour Coin with Third Series Uncirculated Coin Set
The coin set comprises a 1 troy oz 999 Fine Silver Proof Colour Coin and the five denominations of the Third Series UNC circulation coins, i.e. 5¢, 10¢, 20¢, 50¢ and $1, with the year 2016. The 1 troy oz silver coin in this set is part of the 1 troy oz silver coin mintage that is sold individually. Mintage: 2,000 sets only

c) Specially Selected 500 Coins of 1 troy oz 999 Fine Silver Proof Colour Coin
Each coin is specially selected for its superior proof quality standard and encased in a slab capsule. It comes with a mint marked security seal for quality assurance. The 1 troy oz silver coin in this slab capsule is part of the 1 troy oz silver coin mintage that is sold individually.

All of the above are accompanied by a certificate of authenticity.

ABOUT SINGAPORE BOTANIC GARDENS

Key contributing factors in achieving UNESCO World Heritage Site status

• Tropical Colonial Garden with British Influence: Unique British tropical garden built on natural terrain with well-defined multi-layered cultural landscape
• Rubber Cultivation: Early success in the pioneering work of rubber cultivation in the 1880-90s, which set in place the foundations of the worldwide 20th century rubber boom and contributed to the commercial success of rubber in the Southeast Asia region
• Orchid Hybridisation: The cradle of breeding science for orchids
• 'Greening’ of the Garden City: Key and influential contributions to the ‘greening’ of Singapore
• Social Venue: A national place of culture, science and heritage much cherished and valued by generations of Singaporeans

Bandstand

An iconic landmark of the Singapore Botanic Gardens, the Bandstand is a representation of the Gardens as a social venue since its early years, where the locals gather for concerts and celebrate personal milestones. The octagonal gazebo, erected in 1930, served as a site for regimental bands to perform.

The Gardens was the ‘neutral’ meeting place for families to introduce partners in former arranged marriages; in 1959, it was the venue for a series of multi-cultural concerts where Malay, Chinese and Indian performances shared the stage for the first time; and a series of events that shaped the formation of the multi-racial culture in Singapore.

Rubber trees with herringbone incisions

The rubber trees with herringbone incisions symbolise the contributions of the Singapore Botanic Gardens to the rubber boom in Southeast Asia which transformed the face of the regional economy. The development of innovative rubber cultivation techniques and herringbone incision was pioneered by the first Gardens Director Henry Ridley and his team of managers. The shallow herringbone incisions were revolutionary as its V-shaped cuts allowed the bark of the tree to be reopened at regular intervals, allowing latex to be obtained continuously from the same tree throughout most of the year, without causing permanent harm to the trees. This greatly increased the productive lifespan of the rubber trees and latex yield during the years of rubber boom.

Orchid Hybridisation

A cradle of breeding science for orchids, Singapore Botanic Gardens has successfully developed many orchid hybrids. The Orchid Hybridisation Programme established in 1928, by Singapore Botanic Gardens together with local breeders, has created and produced exotic hybrids which were highly popular in the orchid cut-flower industry. Exports of hybrids boosted Singapore’s flower export industry and brought in S$13-16 million annually during the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Renanthera Singapore Botanic Gardens

The Renanthera Singapore Botanic Gardens was named in 1999 to commemorate the 140th Anniversary of the Gardens. This magnificent plant carries branching, fan-shaped sprays. It was awarded the First Prize and the Trophy for the best Renanthera hybrid at the 17th World Orchid Conference in 2002.

Grammatophyllum speciosum (Tiger Orchid)

The Grammatophyllum speciosum Tiger Orchid is amongst the most remarkable specimens in the Garden’s collections with great significance in the history. Planted in 1861 by designer of the Gardens, Lawrence Niven, the native specimen may likely be the world’s oldest and largest specimen, at 155 years of age and five metres in diameter as of 2016. The Tiger Orchid is the world’s largest orchid species, whose common name refers to the tiger-striped flowers.
 
Coin Images

1 troy oz 999 Fine Silver Proof Colour Coin

1 troy oz 999 Fine Silver Proof Colour Coin with Third Series Uncirculated Coin Set

Specially Selected 500 Coins of 1 troy oz 999 Fine Silver Proof Colour Coin

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