The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) is releasing a special coin set called “The Splendor of Native Orchids Series.” This set includes ten 999 fine silver proof coins, each showcasing a different orchid from the “Native Orchids of Singapore” coin series issued between 2011 and 2015. This series pays tribute to the beautiful orchids that were once plentiful in Singapore, some of which can still be found in its forests.

Source: MAS.

Each coin has a face value of S$1, weighs 8.56 grams, and measures 24.66 mm in diameter. Only four thousand sets will be produced. The official release date is June 24, 2016.

The coin designs are inspired by the “Native Orchids of Singapore” coin series and feature the following orchids:

i. Cymbidium finlaysonianum: This orchid produces hanging clusters of delicate, olive-colored flowers. A deep purple lip with a yellow tint complements the blooms. Its sturdy, leathery leaves can grow up to 75cm long and 4cm wide.

ii. Grammatophyllum speciosum: Known as the world’s largest orchid, this species can grow so large that a mature plant can weigh over a ton. The plant grows in clumps resembling sugar cane, with each fleshy stem reaching up to 3m tall. Its impressive flower clusters can exceed 2m in length and bear over 30 flowers. The blooms resemble a tiger’s coat, earning it the nickname “tiger orchid.”

iii. Arundina graminifolia: This orchid, aptly named the “bamboo orchid,” has sturdy stems that can grow over 1.5m high and resemble bamboo. Its slender, bamboo-like leaves are arranged alternately along the stems. The flowers are a captivating blend of white and lavender or a rich violet-pink with a touch of yellow in the center.

iv. Bulbophyllum macranthum: This orchid has a unique “upside-down” appearance due to its lip being positioned at the top of the flower. The creamy-yellow or white sepals are dotted with dark purple, and the blooms release a spicy scent to attract pollinators. This orchid’s leathery leaves sprout from individual pseudobulbs.

v. Bulbophyllum flabellum-veneris: This orchid displays a fan-shaped cluster of up to 10 flowers, each about 2.5 cm long and 8 mm wide, forming a semi-circle. The yellow flowers have red and purple hues at the base of the petals.

vi. Dendrobium crumenatum: Affectionately called the “pigeon orchid” because its blooms resemble a pigeon in flight, this orchid produces fragrant white flowers after heavy rainfall. The flowers, measuring 4cm to 5cm across, have a subtle yellow tint in the throat.

vii. Phalaenopsis cornu-cervi: This orchid is known for its long-lasting, star-shaped flowers. The blooms, about 3cm to 4cm in diameter, are yellow with deep maroon spots.

viii. Coelogyne rochussenii: This orchid features pale yellowish-green flowers with brown pigments on the sidelobes of its white lip. These lemon-scented flowers can grow to about 5cm in diameter. Each hanging flower spray can reach up to 70cm long and bear over 30 flowers.

ix. Dendrobium leonis: The Dendrobium leonis has creamy yellow petals with a reddish tint and a prominent, broad lip. These vanilla-scented flowers are approximately 1.2cm to 1.5cm in diameter. Each plant produces many sprays of stems with thick, flattened, triangular leaves growing in alternating rows.

x. Dendrobium secundum: This orchid, often called the “toothbrush orchid,” displays densely packed purplish-pink flowers on its sprays. The blooms have a contrasting orange lip and are arranged in neat, unidirectional rows resembling a toothbrush. Each flower measures around 1.8cm long and 0.6cm wide. Depending on the plant’s size, each flower spray can grow up to 12cm long.

Each orchid is presented in full color against a sandblasted background. The name of the orchid is engraved on the upper, shiny circumference of the coin. The obverse side of each coin features the Singapore Coat of Arms with the year 2016.

Interested?

For inquiries, please contact The Singapore Mint at +65 6566 2626, +65 6895 0288, or +65 6844 9947. Please note that the coin set will be subject to balloting if oversubscribed.