Some interesting news came out of Singapore recently.
Collectors in Singapore discovered that there are some varieties of notes printed for the current S$2 and S$10 polymer notes. The difference on these varieties notes is that a tiny square dot(s) measured by approx. 1mm x 1mm is printed on the reverse side of the note just under the theme description. For example, on the S$2 note, this tiny little square dot appears under the wordings “Education” and “Sports” for the S$10 note. In addition to this the S$10 also printed both with one and 2 dots varieties. Until today, collectors in Singapore are not sure as to why this tiny dot is added to the notes and for what purpose. I was informed that a closer look on the rest of these notes did not detect or indicate any alteration on it’s original designs, colours etc. Therefore, the question is, why and for what purpose?
All these notes bear the same signature of Goh Chok Tong (former Prime Minister of Singapore).
Below as some queries on these “dot” notes: -
1) S$2
Four prefixes were examined.
3GP, 3GS, 3HE and 3KR
The 3GP, 3GS and 3KR all have a dot but not 3HE. Why? To me this is strange. 3HE comes before 3GP and 3GS and after 3KR. Therefore why notes are issued without a dot in between and for what purpose?
2) S$10
These notes come with one and two dots. The two prefixes examined are 2CQ and 2EG. The 2CQ has 2 dots but the 2EG has only one. Does this mean that the two dots were issued first before the one dot? And why? I personally have a 2ED without the dot! And again my 2ED is placed between the 2CQ and 2EG. Would it be possible to have no dot and dot note for the same letter prefix notes?
Unless these are some of the possible reasons: -
1) Notes printed by more than one printer? Is Singapore printing some of its own requirements now? Why not just print a year date instead or initials of the imprinter like all other DLR, ABNC, FCO, G&D, CBNC etc notes?
2) Is this some kind of experimental type of notes like using different ink or printing process etc? In Australia, they printed some test notes ($100 in 1996 and $5 in 1997) with some kind of new ink. These notes are printed with letter prefix commencing “AN” to “AZ” and "BN" to "BZ" etc. Of course not many collectors knew about it until a few years later.
3) Collectors in Singapore had a good look at the $2 and $10 notes (with and without dot) and see if there are any alterations on the notes, like the colours, design, fonts, etc. Apart from the dot, nothing changed.
4) I don’t think they printed that for the vision impaired as I was told that the dot added is not raised. One can’t feel the dot with their finger tip. The words “Sports” and “Education” are raised but not the dot.
5) Could it be for identification and sorting purposes for an ATM? If this is true, then why such a small print? Australian notes have two white horizontal bars approx. between 15mm to 30mm printed on the top and bottom edges for sorting purposes.
No sighting for the S$5 note with a dot symbol yet. However I am sure we won't be disappointed with any new reprints.
If any readers have any information on this, please feel free to share with us.
Collectors in Singapore discovered that there are some varieties of notes printed for the current S$2 and S$10 polymer notes. The difference on these varieties notes is that a tiny square dot(s) measured by approx. 1mm x 1mm is printed on the reverse side of the note just under the theme description. For example, on the S$2 note, this tiny little square dot appears under the wordings “Education” and “Sports” for the S$10 note. In addition to this the S$10 also printed both with one and 2 dots varieties. Until today, collectors in Singapore are not sure as to why this tiny dot is added to the notes and for what purpose. I was informed that a closer look on the rest of these notes did not detect or indicate any alteration on it’s original designs, colours etc. Therefore, the question is, why and for what purpose?
All these notes bear the same signature of Goh Chok Tong (former Prime Minister of Singapore).
Below as some queries on these “dot” notes: -
1) S$2
Four prefixes were examined.
3GP, 3GS, 3HE and 3KR
The 3GP, 3GS and 3KR all have a dot but not 3HE. Why? To me this is strange. 3HE comes before 3GP and 3GS and after 3KR. Therefore why notes are issued without a dot in between and for what purpose?
2) S$10
These notes come with one and two dots. The two prefixes examined are 2CQ and 2EG. The 2CQ has 2 dots but the 2EG has only one. Does this mean that the two dots were issued first before the one dot? And why? I personally have a 2ED without the dot! And again my 2ED is placed between the 2CQ and 2EG. Would it be possible to have no dot and dot note for the same letter prefix notes?
Unless these are some of the possible reasons: -
1) Notes printed by more than one printer? Is Singapore printing some of its own requirements now? Why not just print a year date instead or initials of the imprinter like all other DLR, ABNC, FCO, G&D, CBNC etc notes?
2) Is this some kind of experimental type of notes like using different ink or printing process etc? In Australia, they printed some test notes ($100 in 1996 and $5 in 1997) with some kind of new ink. These notes are printed with letter prefix commencing “AN” to “AZ” and "BN" to "BZ" etc. Of course not many collectors knew about it until a few years later.
3) Collectors in Singapore had a good look at the $2 and $10 notes (with and without dot) and see if there are any alterations on the notes, like the colours, design, fonts, etc. Apart from the dot, nothing changed.
4) I don’t think they printed that for the vision impaired as I was told that the dot added is not raised. One can’t feel the dot with their finger tip. The words “Sports” and “Education” are raised but not the dot.
5) Could it be for identification and sorting purposes for an ATM? If this is true, then why such a small print? Australian notes have two white horizontal bars approx. between 15mm to 30mm printed on the top and bottom edges for sorting purposes.
No sighting for the S$5 note with a dot symbol yet. However I am sure we won't be disappointed with any new reprints.
If any readers have any information on this, please feel free to share with us.