Gaining International Recognition

As Singapore gradually gains recognition as a financial hub in the 1980s, The Singapore Mint also transits into another exciting phase of development.

Having made headway in the 1970s, the Singapore Mint was incorporated as a private limited company wholly owned by government-linked companies in the 1980s.

This new 'government-linked company' status endorsed the Mint's excellent performance and rendered it independent.

The 1980s was further characterised by variety in production, refinement in product design and packaging and extensive effort in international marketing. Many overseas projects, including both government and private commissions, were added to the Mint's portfolio of prestigious customers. They include Andorra, Bermuda, Cook Islands, Fiji, Israel, Macau, Malaysia, Negara Brunei Darussalam, Solomon Islands, Switzerland, Tokelau, Tonga, Uganda and USA.

In 1981, BCCS issued the Year of the Rooster coin, which is the first coin of a highly popular lunar coin series. And not to forget the commemorative coins, which captured the various milestones in Singapore's history. These coins mark significant events such as the Official Opening of the Changi Airport (1981), the Official Opening of Benjamin Sheares Bridge (1982), 25 Years of Public Housing (1985), the Operation of the Mass Rapid Transit (1989) and many other significant coin issues.

In 1987, the Mint was involved in organising the first Singapore International Coin Convention (SICC). The Singapore Mint struck its first largest 12 oz pure silver medallion of 88mm in diameter.