Am I right to say that this polymer note is missing here? Note was issued in 2004 to celebrate the first MAS release. 10,000 sets in folder printed and 9300 sets released to the public at S$35 per set. Not sure what happened to the remaining 700 sets. This note was signed by the previous PM Lee Hsien Loong. In my book, this note is rare.
Am I right to say that this polymer note is missing here?
I can't find it: perhaps you can add it to Numista?
Note was issued in 2004 to celebrate the first MAS release. 10,000 sets in folder printed and 9300 sets released to the public at S$35 per set. Not sure what happened to the remaining 700 sets.
Notes with a limited 10,000 print run & issued in folders are aimed at a very small niche of collectors & I'm sure it is rare.
This 20 Pesos with the “BSP” prefix from the Philippines, celebrating 30 years of banking, though probably more common then the MAS $10 note, appears to be a similar product aimed at a segment of the collector market (those who buy direct from the dealer). They're like proof coins (never intended for circulation) but still legal tender. I looked them up after hearing about them on social media & there were a few dealers selling them for $100 USD. They're commemorative but they're not really typical commemoratives issued to the population at large (& their mark ups can be 100 times their face value).
Yes, at that time and to me, I thought 10,000 sets were a bit low too. Singapore has a habit of not releasing a lot for commemorative banknotes, except for the 1990 $50 circulating polymer. However, at the time of the release, it was restricted to 2 sets per customer. If you have the will, you can easily buy more.
I got one for the Philippines 20 piso 2023 issue. As long as I can get them at an affordable price, then I am happy. It was quite expensive when I got it. On the other hand, the 5,000 piso 2021 Victory of Mactan is a killer. I do not have this note as the asking price is just too much. Anything that is over $1,000 I have to step back a bit.....
There are two other notes that I will never get. Just too expensive
Philippines - 100.000 piso 1998 Centennial of First Republic
Thailand - 500,000 baht 2000 Golden Wedding Anniversary. Not sure if anyone can get this note from the bank back in 2000.
Also that Ukraine 50 heiven P125 is a killer too. I do not have that note either. Only 1000 sets were issued and I was offered one a few years ago, and the collector wanted 3 full sets of Australia polymer (A$185 x 3). Not sure if he valued my note at face value or what?
Back then when I got this Singapore $10, I posted a spare note on my site for exchange and no one wanted it. I am glad it turned out this way as it is now worth much more. I was then offered it at cost, but then maybe collectors were not willing to pay S$35 for a FV of $10.
BTW, I won't be adding this Singapore $10 commemorative note here as it asked too many questions, like filling up a loan application form 😅.
Yeah, those “killer” notes which you mentioned don't interest me in the least. Banknotes with rare numbers issued are aimed at a few collectors. They just don't engage me. I feel like they have taken advantage of the collector community & are targeting people with deep pockets & who don't really pay attention to what is tough (& what is not). I prefer notes that were issued for everybody's use (like democratic access to MONEY) even though many tough change-over issues (or short prefixes) don't disperse democratically (many of Canada's toughest prefixes were either issued in Quebec or Alberta provinces) I still enjoy the chase. They were issued as money meant to be spent & a few of us lucky collectors managed to snag a few. They weren't sent to a coin shop (like the OP or BSP 20 Pesos). To me, collecting tough notes ISSUED to everyone (& catching them) is like “winning the lottery” when we manage to “snag one.”
I still think its interesting (& important) to focus on the nations that have had small releases or even had regular (large) issues released but few survived (like in colonial Africa). I can't afford colonial notes. Notes from the Belgian Congo are just way over my budget (like the “killer” notes you mentioned).
BUT there are several nations who have had very low # released (& few must exist) if we're to believe the Numista Rarity Index (NRI) provided by this site! These notes really grab my attention & engage me.
AND: the coolest thing is they're very affordable! I tried to drum up some discussion on Suriname's first DOLLAR here & only managed to get 1 reply (besides the Numist Robot). The lowest denominations ($1.00, $2.50 & $5.00) all have pretty impressive NRI's for being such low denominations. The 2004 $5.00 has a NRI of 62 (nothing earth shattering) but for a low $5.00 denomination (released in large #) I'd say that's pretty impressive. I got one for $5.00. The $10 & $20 have NRI of 77 & 78 which is what one would expect for higher denominations. They're quite expensive & I could only find VF examples of the 2004 $10 on eBay (priced at $30 or more). The $50 & $100 are super tough & a few expensive examples were on eBay (so I'll pass).
I have since noticed that many small island nations have really tough (high NRI) mid-high denominations. Some are inexpensive while many of the popular nations are quite dear. We just have to find which tough notes are still affordable.
I saw your post for the Suriname note but I didn't have any of those notes. I asked myself why I didn't buy any when it was released?
I agree with you that collecting normal circulating notes are more interesting as they are real money and issued for a purpose. However, my theme of collections also include the commemorative type and it is disappointing to find central banks releasing them that ordinary people cannot afford them or with quantity so low that collectors have to 'kill' each other to get them. The good thing about collecting commemorative notes is that once you have them, that is it. You have the completed the series and no follow up to come. Of course, nowadays, some bank just issue reprints with new year date on it, and if I can, I collect them too, if I can get them.
BTW, you mentioned small islands collection, and people think that because I am from Australia, many think that I can get them easily. This is just pure fallacy.
BTW, you mentioned small islands collection, and people think that because I am from Australia, many think that I can get them easily. This is just pure fallacy.
Of course. Sourcing banknotes is not easy at all. When Canada's Commemorative $10 was released we quickly learned that the CDF (last) prefix was short. Do you think any of the 3,203,796 CDF $10 were released in my area? NO! I had to pay twice FV (& buy 10) & that was the best I could do (from a collector I knew in Alberta).
Also, I'm just using small island nations as a generalization (which tends to be true) just based on the fact that they usually issue low numbers. Its cool you collect commemoratives but that's just not my thing (unless I can get a good deal on them) 😀 I've been collecting for many decades too, but TBH, collecting full sets is kind of new to me.
BTW, you mentioned small islands collection, and people think that because I am from Australia, many think that I can get them easily. This is just pure fallacy.
…. but TBH, collecting full sets is kind of new to me.
Me too. Just received a full set of 8 notes 2024 from Bosnia & Herzegovina (Croat and Serb prints). Always enjoy them in full set. 😁
Just needs a comment and a year line entry not a whole page.
Pick reference # P54, 10,000 sets printed but only 9,300 sets issued at a price of S$35 per set. Note is undated but was released on 17.05.2004. Note was issued in a folder.
Honestly, I do not like proposing amendments or updating catalogue here. A few years ago, I proposed some amendments on a note and I won't mention which country. I was shot down with no reason given at all. Just a pure rejection. This reminds me of the Seinfeld show for that Soup episode - No soup for you!
However, I have no issue in mentioning it here in the forum section. It is up to them if they want to do something about it.
Honestly, I do not like proposing amendments or updating catalogue here. A few years ago, I proposed some amendments on a note and I won't mention which country. I was shot down with no reason given at all. Just a pure rejection. This reminds me of the Seinfeld show for that Soup episode - No soup for you!
However, I have no issue in mentioning it here in the forum section. It is up to them if they want to do something about it.
That's a shame. Sorry you had that experience. You can now at least appeal the rejection.
Just needs a comment and a year line entry not a whole page.
Pick reference # P54, 10,000 sets printed but only 9,300 sets issued at a price of S$35 per set. Note is undated but was released on 17.05.2004. Note was issued in a folder.
Definitely warrants a totally separate listing - not as a line within other listings, Kai.
Thanks for the mention, @peterjhalford. I just got caught up on this thread.
The First Print Commemorative overprint brings to mind the issue of postal “official first day covers” (OFDCs) which are typically cancel-marked and wouldn't see the inside of a post box (except in another envelope or package 😜). Unlike stamp OFDCs (which are available for pretty much all designs), the MAS First Print celebrates the issuing authority, rather than the design or series, and is only in one denomination amirite? (There's also the fact that this overprinted banknote is still valid for re-use, unlike postage stamps!) Plenty of other pages for both circulating commemorative and standard circulation banknotes have listings for NIFC (not issued for circulation) varieties - matching serials, special prefixes, uncut sheets etc. - together on the same page. Here's an example of another overprint (also with a special prefix) listed with the general circulation variety: 20 Dollars (40 Years of Currency Interchangeability). All things considered, I'm not yet convinced that the note mentioned deserves a page of its own. The addition of a year entry and photo(s) in the comment field would be appreciated.@ahkai, would you have a picture of the commemorative folder as well?
Titus
Numista referee for banknotes from Canada, USA, Costa Rica, China, Macau, Singapore, & Taiwan.
Thanks for the mention, @peterjhalford. I just got caught up on this thread.
The First Print Commemorative overprint brings to mind the issue of postal “official first day covers” (OFDCs) which are typically cancel-marked and wouldn't see the inside of a post box (except in another envelope or package 😜). Unlike stamp OFDCs (which are available for pretty much all designs), the MAS First Print celebrates the issuing authority, rather than the design or series, and is only in one denomination amirite? (There's also the fact that this overprinted banknote is still valid for re-use, unlike postage stamps!) Plenty of other pages for both circulating commemorative and standard circulation banknotes have listings for NIFC (not issued for circulation) varieties - matching serials, special prefixes, uncut sheets etc. - together on the same page. Here's an example of another overprint (also with a special prefix) listed with the general circulation variety: 20 Dollars (40 Years of Currency Interchangeability). All things considered, I'm not yet convinced that the note mentioned deserves a page of its own. The addition of a year entry and photo(s) in the comment field would be appreciated.@ahkai, would you have a picture of the commemorative folder as well?
Titus
@tutus17, Yes, I still have the folders but I will have to search for it, after all, it's more than 20 years I have the notes in my collection. I separate all my notes and folders, and all my empty folders are packed away. As for having whether the note should be having a page of its own, I believe it should. This is a commemorative note and it was issued solely for this purpose. This is just my opinion. Thanks
Using the guidelines it can be argued that a new page could be created as there is a difference in design. However, it is a very small design change, nearly as small as a signature change therefore it should remain on the main page to make it easier to find along with the main listing as it is a variation rather than a redesign.
I still believe it should have a separate page for this commemorative note, after all the Pick catalogue reference #s for the two notes are not the same.
