Renowned as the premier and sole museum space devoted to currency in the country, the Singapore Coins and Notes Museum is a one of a kind attraction in the Lion City. Having opened its doors to the public on June 24th, 2009 the museum evolved from the 2008 Singapore Mint initiative to document the country’s monetary progress and legacy. Managed in collaboration with the Heritage Industry Incentive Programme of the National Heritage Board, the two floor museum employs cutting edge technology to display and showcase elements of history that helped shape Singapore to the Asian giant that it is today.
Located down Trengganu Street the museum which is open to the public from 10 am to 8 pm literally offers a wealth of information on the currency trends of Singapore by using modern exhibition methods to bring history to life. The gallery showcasing ancient monetary items is especially intriguing as they were used during barter trade transactions centuries ago. One of the main highlights is of course the Majapahit style gold coin which is also the smallest coin in the museum. Dating back 800 years the Javanese coin manufactured by the Majapahit is believed to have been minted during the 13th-16th century. Currency forms which predate minting processes are also found here with seashells and spices taking centre stage. The foreign currencies circulated in Singapore during its founding period that originated from Holland and Mexico is also displayed here.
Commemorative mints and other award garnering coins are also found on-site with the coin minted for the 150th anniversary of the country’s founding and the 22 karat gold coin worth $150 with the Raffles Lighthouse at its main motif being the chief highlights.
Modern day polymer bills are also featured in addition to other groundbreaking currencies such as the coin of Angkor Wat which displays the Cambodian icon through a hologram like impression. The manufacturing processes of minting coins and bills are also explained in detail at the museum’s interactive exhibit with audio visual aids while visitors can have a special commemorative coin of their visit minted before their own eyes.
The museum shop also retails commemorative coins, medallions and other memorabilia connected to Singapore’s currency history in addition to other quirky souvenirs.
Travellers in search of elegant hotels in Singapore should look to Millennium & Copthorne Hotels Singapore for the best accommodation in the Lion City. Offering visitors a range of Singapore hotels in strategic locations around the city this renowned hotel group provides stylish accommodation for holidaymakers and business travellers.
Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry. Google+
