Prototype coin designs of Singapore

[Galapagos]

Singapore: coins of 1967.

Singapore became independent on 9 August 1965.

Its first set of circulation coins was issued in 1967.

The set was known as the Marine Series because of its design themes.


The reverse design descriptions are as follows:-

1c.  Fountain in front of high-rise flat block.   
5c.  Great white egret.                       
10c. Great crowned seahorse.                   
20c. Swordfish.                               
50c. Firefish.                                 
$1.  Squinte, the mythical merlion.         

[Galapagos]

Stuart Devlin.

The Marine Series was designed by the Australian Stuart Devlin, shown above.

He was also responsible for the first decimal designs of Australia.


 Singapore originally asked for designs featuring the following three orchids:-

1] Vanda Tan Chay Yan; 2] Vanda Joaquim; and 3] Dendobrium Caesar.


Mr Devlin consulted Kew Gardens and found that these orchids looked very similar.

He therefore came up with his own alternatives.

These are shown in the posts that follow.

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Suggested obverse design.

Image © Royal Mint (UK).

The suggested design for the obverse of the coins.

The denomination would have been different on each coin.

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Suggested 1 cent design.

Image © Royal Mint (UK).

The Singapore Welcome orchid.

Brassocattleya Languedoc.

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Suggested 5 cents design.

Image © Royal Mint (UK).

The Cypripedium Haynaldianum orchid.

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Suggested 10 cents design.

Image © Royal Mint (UK).

The Bulbophyllum Medusae orchid.

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Suggested 20 cents design.

Image © Royal Mint (UK).

A realistic depiction of a lion's head.

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Suggested alternative 20 cents design.

Image © Royal Mint (UK).

A "Chinese style" lion's head.

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Suggested 50 cents design.

Image © Royal Mint (UK).

The national coat of arms.

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EXPANDED DESIGN CHOICE

Ultimately, some designs shown above were not adopted.

The the coat of arms design and Bulbophyllum Medusae orchid were rejected.

Also rejected were the suggested obverses with denominations.

I do not know who made those decisions.


A new set of designs was now considered.

This set included some bird and animal themes.

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Orchids A and B.

Image © Royal Mint (UK).

The orchid designs were once more considered.

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Image © Royal Mint (UK).

A pitcher plant was also considered.

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Image © Royal Mint (UK).

A design featuring a monkey and her baby was also considered.

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Image © Royal Mint (UK).

A design featuring a paddy bird was also considered.

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Image © Royal Mint (UK).

A design featuring a snake bird was also considered.