Singapore Currency
Find out the history and security features of Singapore currency, guidelines for using images of Singapore currency, currency regulations and information about commemorative and numismatic currency.
Redeeming face value for current and past series currency
Mutilated (damaged) currency
MAS took over the currency issuance function following the merger with the Board of Commissioners of Currency, Singapore (BCCS) in October 2002.
All currency notes and coins issued since 1967 by MAS and the former BCCS are legal tender in Singapore, and are fully backed by MAS' assets.
MAS also does the following:
Works closely with banks, security couriers and appointed contractors to ensure efficient and effective distribution of the Singapore currency, and the availability of the currency to meet public demand.
Administers the Currency Act
The Currency Act provides for the legal tender status of the notes and coins issued by MAS in Singapore.
It also contains provisions relating to Singapore currency matters such as mutilation (damage) of Singapore notes and coins, reproduction of images of Singapore currency and confiscation of counterfeit currency.
Find out about Singapore notes and coins, what currency legal tender means, how to identify genuine currency and what you can do with mutilated (damaged) or past series currency.
Find out about Singapore's commemorative and numismatic notes and coins which are issued by MAS.
Find out the conditions for using images of Singapore currency and how to apply for permission to reproduce any Singapore currency.
Learn about the Currency Interchangeability Agreement between Brunei Darussalam and Singapore and details of anniversary commemorations.
Learn about the milestones of currency in Singapore's history.
Here are the Top 5 currency FAQs. View all frequently asked questions about currency.
Where can I exchange my torn or mutilated (damaged) notes?
Under the Singapore Currency Act, mutilated notes command no value. However, MAS may, out of goodwill, award value to mutilated notes provided there is no evidence suggesting that they have been deliberately mutilated.
You can take your torn or mutilated (damaged) notes to any commercial bank in Singapore where you have a bank account. The bank will authenticate and assess the note before award value according to the Monetary Authority of Singapore's guidelines.
If the bank has assessed that your torn or mutilated (damaged) notes are genuine and were not wilfully or deliberately damaged, the assessed value will be credited directly into your bank account.
If the bank is unable to assess the value, the mutilated (damaged) note will be sent to MAS for assessment. After MAS has assessed value, the bank will credit the assessed value to your bank account.
Please let us know details of the bank and name of the counter staff via the online feedback form, if the bank is not willing to accept the notes for assessment.
What can I do with past series (old) notes and coins?
All currency notes and coins issued by the Monetary Authority of Singapore since 1967 are still legal tender and can be used to pay for goods and services in Singapore.
Alternatively, you can redeem past series notes and coins over the counter at a commercial bank in Singapore where you have a bank account. You may also deposit past series notes coins at MAS' appointed Circulation Coins Operator and Manager (CCOM), Certis CISCO Secure Logistics Pte Ltd (CSL) via their self-service coin deposit machines or over the counter.
The bank or CSL will verify the authenticity of your currency before crediting the value into your bank account.
Can a vendor refuse to accept cash or certain denominations (e.g. 5-cent coins) as payment?
As the payment for goods and services is an agreement between a willing buyer and a willing seller, both the seller and the buyer can specify how the payment is to be made.
Vendors usually consider several factors when deciding payment terms, such as the value of transaction, cost of acceptance and convenience to customers. Under the Currency Act , if a vendor does not wish to accept any or certain denominations of coins or notes as payment, he/she can provide a written notice to inform potential customers. This serves to highlight the proposed terms of payment to the customers and help customers make a decision on whether to go ahead with the transaction.
If the vendor displays a written notice stating their payment requirements (for example, stating that cash or 5-cent coins are not accepted), they have acted in accordance with the Currency Act and can reject any form of payment stated in the written notice.
If no written notice is provided, the customer is entitled to make payment in all denominations of currency notes and coins (up to the legal tender limit for coins) to satisfy the debt incurred. Read more information on acceptance of legal tender.
Can a vendor refuse to accept Brunei notes or coins?
Under the Brunei-Singapore Currency Interchangeability Agreement (CIA), Brunei Darussalam's and Singapore's currencies can be exchanged at par and without charge at the respective countries' local banks.
While private entities (including individuals and businesses) cannot be forced to accept the Brunei currency for payment of goods and services in Singapore, the Monetary Authority of Singapore has been educating and encouraging them on the acceptance of Brunei currency in Singapore, in keeping with the spirit of the Agreement.
If you encounter difficulties paying a vendor in Brunei currency in Singapore, you can provide MAS via the online feedback form with the following details so that we can engage the respective vendor accordingly:
Name, full address of the vendor, and if possible, their telephone number.
Date and time of the incident.
Details of the purchase and what was said by the vendor.
When will new notes for the festive seasons be available for exchange at the banks?
New notes are typically available within the 2 week period before Chinese New Year, Hari Raya Puasa and Deepavali. The public is advised to check with the banks on the actual date of availability of the notes.
© 2023, Government of Singapore.Last updated on 21 Nov 2022