| Date |
Events |
| 1819 |
Money was first brought into Singapore by the traders. Silver dollars, especially the Mexican dollar, were popular among the traders. |
| 1837 |
Government of India enforced the Indian silver rupee and subsidiary Coins were sole legal tender currency in the Straits Settlements. |
| 1850 |
Private Banks like Oriental Banking Corporation, Mercantile Bank of India, London and China, Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation began to issue their respective bank notes. |
| 1867 |
The Straits Settlements became a Crown Colony. The Indian rupee was discontinued as legal tender currency and silver dollars were made legal tender currency. |
| 1897 |
Establishment of the Board of Commissioners of Currency through the passing of Ordinance No 8. |
| 1899 |
The 1st government notes issued by the Board of Commissioners of Currency. |
| Oct 1903 |
Following the recommendation by the Straits Settlements Currency Committee, chaired by Sir David Barbour, the new silver Straits dollar was introduced. |
| Dec 1904 |
The government suspended the authority of the Chartered Bank to issue bank notes. |
| Aug 1908 |
The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation and the Merchantile Bank were also suspended by the government from issuing notes. |
| 21 Oct 1938 |
Establishment of a Currency Commission and the Board of Commissioners of Currency, Malaya. |
| Feb 1942 - Sep 1945 |
The Japanese "Banana" notes were in circulation during the Japanese occupation. |
| 1945 |
After the Japanese surrendered, the "Banana" note was demonetised. |
| Aug 1948 |
The pre-invasion notes were demonetised. |
| Nov 1948 |
Introduction of the Cupro-nickel coinage. |
| Sep 1949 |
The silver coins were demonetized. |
| 1 Jan 1952 |
Establishment of the Board of Commissioners of Currency, Malaya and British Borneo. It was commissioned with the sole right to issue notes and coins for use as currency. |
| 1 June 1959 |
One-dollar notes (dated 1 Mar 1959) of the new series featuring designs symbolic of the Malayan currency era were issued for circulation. |
| 1966 |
Historic monetary union between Singapore and the Malayan territories broke down. |
| 7 Apr 1967 |
Establishment of the Board of Commissioners of Currency, Singapore, by the enactment of the Currency Act (Chapter 69). |
| 12 Jun 1967 |
Release of the "Orchid" series notes. |
| 20 Nov 1967 |
Release of the "Marine" series coins. |
| 1967 |
Release of the 1st Uncirculated Coin Set and Proof Coin Set. |
| 16 Jan 1969 |
Cessation of legal tender status for notes and coins issued by the Board of Commissioners of Currency, Malaya and British Borneo in Singapore. |
| 8 Aug 1969 |
Release of the 1st Gold Coin (face value of $150) to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the Founding of Singapore |
| 4 Feb 1972 |
Release of the 1st Aluminium Coin (5 cts) in conjunction with Singapore's participation in tehUnited Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation's Coin Programme. |
| 10 Feb 1972 |
Release of the 1st $10 Silver Coin. |
| 9 Jul 1973 |
Release of the 1st $5 Silver Coin to commemorate the 7th SEAP Games held in Singapore. |
| 29 Dec 1975 |
Release of the 1st $1 Sterling Silver Proof Coin. |
| 6 Aug 1976 |
Release of the "Bird" series notes. |
| 11 Feb 1980 |
Release of the 1st $50 Silver Coin. |
| 26 Jan 1981 |
Release of the 1st series Chinese Almanac coins. |
| 1 Dec 1983 |
Release of the 1st Singapore Bullion Coins in denominations of $1, $2, $5 & $10 based on Chinese mythological symbols. |
| 22 Oct 1984 |
Release of the "Ship" series notes. |
| 2 Dec 1985 |
Release of the "Floral" series coins. |
| 30 May 1990 |
Release of the Singapore Lion Gold Bullion Coins in denominations of $5, $10, $25, $50 & $100. |
| 24 Jul 1990 |
Release of $50 Commemorative Plastic Note to commenorate Singapore's 25th anniversary. |
| 31 Mar 1991 |
Release of 1st Uncut Currency Note Sheet ($2, red). |
| 2 Jan 1993 |
Release of the 2nd series Chinese Almanac Coins. |
| 9 Sep 1999 |
Release of the "Portrait" series notes, in conjunction with the Millennium celebration. |
