A new variety of Singapore’s 10-dollar note was released in January 2012, carrying the symbol of one diamond on the reverse (above the word Sports). The first prefix for this variety is likely to be 4BA. For previous varieties of the $10 polymer banknotes, the first observed prefixes were 2BA and 3BA respectively. This is due to the fact that 2AA and 3AA were one of the prefixes used in the 2004 version.

The notes were available at some branches, while other branches carried the previous $10 note variety with two triangles. A few weeks ago, the $1000 note with one diamond was found in circulation.

Symbols printed on the reverse of the notes were introduced back in 2008 as a new security feature used for authentication purposes by MAS. Despite the lack of information, a different symbol was used for each batch of notes. Based on the observations from the serial number, the symbols may either represent the print run number or the year of printing. It is also understood that there may be other symbols used, including circles and stars.

Most denominations showed the same pattern in the sequence of symbols. The earliest batches of such notes contained no symbol. From 2008, banknotes were first imprinted with one square, followed by two squares, one triangle, two triangles and one diamond.

This variety still carries the signature of then Chairman of the Monetary Authority of Singapore, Goh Chok Tong. On 21 May 2011, Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam was appointed the new Chairman of the Monetary Authority of Singapore.

SingPost will be releasing the Dragon Zodiac stamp issue on 5 January 2012 to usher in the year of the Water Dragon. This is the fifth out of twelve issues in the Zodiac stamp series, which started with the Rat Zodiac stamp beck in 2008. The Dragon is the fifth animal in the zodiac cycle.

Designer Leo Teck Chong illustrated the three stamps for this issue, which comes in the denominations of 1st Local, 65 c and $1.10.

On the 1st Local stamp, a dragon is featured on a beige-gold background, together with the Chinese character ‘ji’. The 65 c stamp features the character ‘xiang’, with a dragon on a bright red background. Put together, ‘ji xiang’ means auspicious.

Similar to the previous issue in this series, two dragons are featured on the $1.10 stamp, together with the phrase ‘xiang long xian rui’.

In addition, a collector’s sheet ($16.80) containing a $5 and $10 stamp will be released. The $5 stamp shows a morphing effect from the outline of a Rabbit to that of a Dragon, while the $10 stamp changes from the outline of a Dragon to that of a Snake.

For banknote collectors, the new banknotes for Chinese New Year will be released as early as 3 January, at selected DBS and POSB branches. OCBC and UOB will be issuing these new notes later in the week or early next week.

Lastly, wishing everyone a Happy New Year 2012!

Images by SingPost

The Year of the Dragon is just a few weeks away. Just like every other year, there will be a slogan message printed on selected mail items.

From 3 January to 18 January, the slogan message “Lunar New Year – Please Post Early” will be marked on mail items which pass through FC Stamp Cancelling Machine C4. However, do note that there is a possibility where mail items are randomly sorted to other cancelling machines.

As delays in mail processing and delivery are expected during the festive season, do remember to send out your greeting cards in advance so that it will arrive in time for the Lunar New Year.

Do note that the Year of the Dragon Stamps will only be available from 5 January.

Images by SingPost

On 2 December 2011, Singapore Post released the 2011 annual collection of stamps featuring the various philatelic issues throughout the year in a colourful coffee-table book.

Featured stamps include Singapore’s longest individual stamp in a joint issue with Egypt, Singapore’s largest individual stamp, Spirit of Giving, and Eric Kong’s latest definitive issue coated with reflective ink, showcasing Pond Life. It also commemorates international events such as the World Orchid Conference 2011.

The book comes with two stock cards containing a total of 60 pieces of mint stamps and two miniature sheets.

Every purchase comes with a limited edition story book entitled Little Otters to the Rescue!. It features four little otters on a rescue mission to save their father. This A4-sized children’s book is written by SingPost’s Stamp Ambassador, Edmund Chen Zhi Cai. Earlier this year, he illustrated a set of stamps featuring the oriental small-clawed otter. An autograph session was held on 2 December at Singapore Post Centre.

From 2 to 31 December 2011, The 2011 Collection of Singapore Stamps is available at all post offices for S$66.90 (US$52). The usual price is S$72.90.

Two new stamp cancelling machines C12 and C13 will be used for the postmarking of mail items with effect from 12 December 2011. Singapore Post has indicated that these cancelling impressions are applied to ‘C5 envelopes with a minimum weight of 50 grams’. However, it is not known if these machines will be used on a daily basis or during the peak season.

On 8 June 2011, SingPost started using the C11 stamp cancelling machine.

C12 is a round datestamp which is rolled onto mail items as they pass through the machine. It is similar to machines C1 to C7, C9 and C11.

C13 is a dot matrix printer which cancels stamps with a double octogon outline. This is the same as two other stamp cancelling machines, C8 and C10. C8 is said to handle C6 envelopes during peak period.

This is the tenth year since SingPost started offering festive postage rates. The rates apply to greeting cards of any size, shape or colour, posted from 4 December to 25 December 2011. The local rate is 26 cents (up to 20 grams) and 32 cents (up to 40 grams), while the overseas rate is 55 cents (up to 40 grams). For Malaysia and Brunei, the weight is up to 50 grams.

Update 12 Dec 2011: 

Here is the first day cancellation for the C12 and C13 stamp cancelling machines.