Singapore, 20 October 2021…The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) today unveiled the Hawker Culture in Singapore Commemorative coins, to celebrate the inscription of Hawker Culture in Singapore into the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity on 16 December 2020. Two versions of the coin, a nickel-plated zinc coin and a silver coin, will be issued on 12 November 2021.

Coin Design

2          The coin design showcases three key elements of Hawker Culture in Singapore: the mastery of culinary skills by hawkers, the reflection of our multicultural society and how hawker centres serve as community dining spaces for everyone.

3          The design captures the passion of four hawkers from diverse cultural backgrounds engaged in their craft, paying tribute to hawkers who work hard to serve the community, and showcasing the following:

1. Local favourites - Hokkien Mee (fried prawn noodles); Nasi Lemak (aromatic rice infused with coconut milk served with fried chicken, egg, anchovies, peanut and sambal); Roti Prata (Indian flatbread served with curry); Indian Rojak; and Singapore’s breakfast staple, Kaya Toast accompanied with soft-boiled eggs and Kopi – are depicted on the front of the coin.
   
   
2. Patrons, young and old, enjoying their meals in a hawker centre, are depicted in the background.
   
   
3. The obverse of each coin bears the Singapore Coat of Arms with the year 2021. 

4          More details of the coins are in the Annex.

Sale of Coins

5          The coins will be sold by The Singapore Mint. Pre-orders can be placed from 20 October to 5 November 2021. To order, please visit www.singaporemint.com, or call 6566 2626 for more information. If oversubscribed, the coins will be allocated by balloting.

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Annex

About Hawker Culture in Singapore

Hawker Culture in Singapore is an integral part of life for Singaporeans, where people from all walks of life gather at hawker centres to dine and bond over their favourite food prepared by hawkers. Over the years, this unique combination of food, space and community has evolved into a microcosm of Singapore’s multicultural society, fostering a common national identity based on shared experiences, values and norms.

Many of Singapore’s hawker dishes originated from the food cultures of various immigrant groups which settled in Singapore. The dishes have evolved over time to become distinctive local dishes that Singaporeans love, and form an important part of Singapore’s food heritage. Hawkers and their repertoire of skills are central to Hawker Culture in Singapore. Well-regarded for their mastery of hawker culinary traditions, it is important that the hawkers’ knowledge, culinary skills and values are shared with generations of Singaporeans.

About the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity

The UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity comprises diverse cultural practices and expressions of humanity, and seeks to raise awareness of the importance of such practices and expressions, encourage dialogue that respects cultural diversity, as well as give due recognition to the practices and expressions of communities worldwide.

Details of the Hawker Culture in Singapore Commemorative Coins

The coins can be purchased individually or as a coin set. Each silver coin will be accompanied by a serialised certificate of authenticity. The coins in the sets are part of the total quantity of coins minted (mintage) for the respective coin type. The coin details are as follows:

1. Nickel-plated Zinc Proof-like Coin
   Nickel-plated zinc coin with a face value of $2 in a round shape with a diameter of 40.70 mm. Mintage: 10,000 pieces
   
   
2. 1 troy oz Silver Proof Colour Coin
   999 fine silver coin with a face value of $5 in a round shape with a diameter of 40.70 mm. Mintage: 5,000 pieces


3. 2-Coin Set
   Consists a Nickel-plated Zinc Proof-like Coin and a 1 troy oz Silver Proof Colour coin. Limited to 2,000 sets. Each coin set comes with a serialised certificate of authenticity. 

 The images of the coins and coin set are shown below. 

 Nickel-plated Zinc Proof-like Coin

1 troy oz Silver Proof Colour Coin

 2-Coin Set