The
Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has launched
The Splendour of Native Orchids Series coin set, comprising 10 999 fine silver proof coins featuring orchids from the
Native Orchids of Singapore coin series issued from 2011 to 2015. The
Native Orchids of Singapore coin series celebrates the beauty of orchids that once thrived in Singapore, some of which are still found in our forests today.
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| Source: MAS. |
Each coin has a face value of S$1, weighs 8.56 grams and has a diameter of 24.66 mm. Four thousand sets will be minted. The coin set will be issued on 24 June 2016.
The coin designs are adapted from the Native Orchids of Singapore coin series and feature the following native orchids:
i. Cymbidium finlaysonianum
This species produces pendulous inflorescences of delicate flowers that are of an unusual olive colour complemented by an intense purple lip with a yellow tinge. Its narrow leaves are thick and leathery, growing up to 75cm in length and 4cm in width.
ii. Grammatophyllum speciosum
This species is the world’s largest growing orchid plant. A fully mature plant can weigh over a ton. It forms clumps that resemble the sugar cane plant with its individual fleshy stems growing to a height of 3m. When flowering, its inflorescences that can be longer than 2m, bearing over 30 flowers. The flowers resemble the coat of a tiger, hence its common name, tiger orchid.
iii. Arundina graminifolia
Commonly known as the bamboo orchid for its strong resemblance to the bamboo plant, this orchid has reedy stems which are capable of reaching more than 1.5m in height, covered with slender bamboo-like leaves that are alternately arranged. The flowers are a contrasting amalgamation of white and lavender or a deep violet-pink combination with a subtle hint of bright yellow in the throat.
iv. Bulbophyllum macranthum
This orchid has flowers where the lip is situated at the top, giving it an “upside-down” orientation. The sepals are creamy-yellow or white, with specks of dark purple. The flowers emit a spicy odour to attract its pollinators. Its leaves grow on separate pseudobulbs and have a leathery texture.
v. Bulbophyllum flabellum-veneris
This orchid has a fan-shaped umbel formed by up to 10 flowers. These individual flowers, measuring 2.5 cm long and 8 mm across, form a semi-circle. The flowers are yellow with flushed red and purple highlights at the base of the petals.
vi. Dendrobium crumenatum
Commonly known as the pigeon orchid for its strong resemblance to a flying pigeon, this orchid produces sweet scented flowers nine days after heavy rainstorms. The flowers are white, measuring 4cm to 5cm across, and are highlighted with a subtle tint of yellow in its throat.
vii. Phalaenopsis cornu-cervi
The Phalaenopsis cornu-cervi is characterised by star-shaped flowers which are yellow with specks of deep maroon. The flowers measure about 3cm to 4cm in diameter and usually long-lasting.
viii. Coelogyne rochussenii
The Coelogyne rochussenii has pale yellowish-green flowers, with the sidelobes of its white lip containing brown pigments. The lemon-scented flowers measure about 5cm in diameter, and each hanging flower spray can reach 70cm in length with more than 30 flowers.
ix. Dendrobium leonis
The Dendrobium leonis has creamy yellow petals with a tinge of red and a protruding broad lip. The vanilla-scented flowers measure about 1.2cm to 1.5cm in diameter. Each orchid bears many sprays of stems with thick, flattened, triangular leaves arranged in alternating rows.
x. Dendrobium secundum
The Dendrobium secundum is commonly known as the toothbrush orchid. It has sprays of densely packed purplish pink flowers with a contrasting orange lip. The individual flowers are unidirectional and arranged in neat rows like a toothbrush. Each individual flower measures 1.8cm long and 0.6cm wide. Depending on the size of the orchid plant, each flower spray can measure up to 12cm in length.
Each orchid is featured in full colour, set against a sandblasted background. The name of the orchid is minted on the shiny upper circumference of the coin. The obverse of the coins bears the Singapore Coat of Arms with the year 2016.
Interested?
For enquiries, the public can contact
The Singapore Mint at +65 6566 2626, +65 6895 0288 or +65 6844 9947. The coin set will be subjected to balloting if oversubscribed.
