Singapore, 25 May 2016… The Monetary Authority of Singapore
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) today launched The Splendour of Native Orchids Series coin set, a special set comprising 10 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. The coin set will be issued on 24 June 2016.
Coin Designs
2 The coin designs are adapted from the Native Orchids of Singapore coin series and feature the following native orchids:
i. Cymbidium finlaysonianum
ii. Grammatophyllum speciosum
iii. Arundina graminifolia
iv. Bulbophyllum macranthum
v. Bulbophyllum flabellum-veneris
vi. Dendrobium crumenatum
vii. Phalaenopsis cornu-cervi
viii. Coelogyne rochussenii
ix. Dendrobium leonis
x. Dendrobium secundum
3 Each orchid is featured in full colour, set against a sandblasted background to accentuate the full brilliance of the orchids. 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.
4 More details of the coins are in Annex 1.
Sale of Coins
5 The coin set will be sold by The Singapore Mint. For enquiries and orders, the public can contact The Singapore Mint at 6566 2626 / 6895 0288 / 6844 9947 / 6222 2486 / 6336 2878 or place their orders online at www.singaporemint.com .
6 Orders must reach The Singapore Mint by 12 June 2016. The coin set will be subjected to balloting if oversubscribed.
***
Annex 1
Coin Details
The Splendour of Native Orchids Series coin set comprises 10 pieces of 999 fine silver proof coins with colour application, along with one serialized certificate of authenticity. Each coin has a face value of $1, weighs 8.56 grams and has a diameter of 24.66 mm. Mintage of 4,000 sets.
About the Native Orchids
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 75 cm in length and 4 cm in width. This epiphytic plant is highly adaptive. It obtains its nutrients from decaying leaf litter shed by its host tree, allowing it to thrive even in a low nutrient environment.
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 3 metres. When flowering, it produces inflorescences that can be longer than 2 metres bearing over 30 flowers. The showy flowers are uniquely coloured and resemble the coat of a tiger, hence its common name, Tiger Orchid.
Arundina graminifolia
Commonly known as the Bamboo Orchid for its strong resemblance to the bamboo plant, this orchid is usually found free flowering in open grasslands where there is an abundance of light and moisture. Its reedy stems, which are capable of reaching more than 1.5 metres in height, are 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.
Bulbophyllum macranthum
This orchid is characterized by its unique 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.
Bulbophyllum flabellum-veneris
This orchid is characterized by its 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 cluster arrangement. The flowers are yellow with flushed red and purple highlights at the base of the petals.
Dendrobium crumenatum
Commonly known as the Pigeon Orchid for its strong resemblance to a flying pigeon, this orchid grows freely in lowland forest and woodlands. It gives bloom to sweet scented flowers nine days after heavy rainstorms. The flowers are white, measuring 4 cm to 5 cm across, and are highlighted with a subtle tint of yellow in its throat.
Phalaenopsis cornu-cervi
The Phalaenopsis cornu-cervi is characterised by its star-shaped flowers, which are yellow with specks of deep maroon. The flowers measure about 3 cm to 4 cm in diameter and usually last for a long period of time. The flowers are usually found growing on trees in exposed lowland areas.
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 5 cm in diameter, and each hanging flower spray can reach 70 cm long with more than 30 flowers. Its flowers usually bloom in the morning and close partially in the evening.
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 1.2 cm to 1.5 cm in diameter. Each orchid bears many sprays of stems with thick, flattened, triangular leaves arranged in alternating rows.
Dendrobium secundum
The Dendrobium secundum is characterised by its flower sprays. Densely packed with purplish pink flowers with a contrasting orange lip, the orchid is commonly known as the “Toothbrush Orchid”. The individual flowers are uni-directional 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.