5 Dollars 2007, Singapore
in Krause book | Number: 47 |
Years of issue: | 18.05.2007 |
Edition: | -- |
Signatures: | Chairman Monetary authority of Singapore: Mr. Goh Chok Tong |
Serie: | Fourth Series |
Specimen of: | 18.05.2007 |
Material: | Polymer |
Size (mm): | 133 x 66 |
Printer: | British American Bank Note Co. Ltd., Montreal |
* All pictures marked are increased partially by magnifying glass, the remaining open in full size by clicking on the image.
** The word "Specimen" is present only on some of electronic pictures, in accordance with banknote images publication rules of appropriate banks.

Description
Watermark:
First president Yusof bin Ishak.
Lower, in right corner, the window with denomination.
Avers:
Tun Yusof bin Ishak (12 August 1910 - 23 November 1970) was the first President of Singapore, serving from 1965 to 1970.
Yusof was well known both as a journalist and the founder of the Malay newspaper Utusan Melayu prior to becoming head of state of Singapore. He was married to Noor Aishah.
He first served as Yang di-Pertuan Negara (head of state) between 1959 and 1965, remaining in office during the time that Singapore was part of the Federation of Malaysia between 1963 and 1965. Following Singapore's departure from Malaysia in 1965, he served as the first President of the Republic until his death in 1970.
Buried at Kranji State Cemetery.
Top left, in plastic window, is the coat of arms of Singapore.
Near the denomination, centered, is the Merlions hologram. Same Merlion is lower left (not hologram).
On background are the Monetaria annulus, common name the ring cowrie or gold ringer.
The shell size varies between 9 mm. and 50 mm.
This species and its subspecies are found in the Red Sea, and in the Indian Ocean on the coasts of Aldabra, Chagos, the Comores, the East Coast of South Africa, Kenya and Tanzania, Madagascar, the Mascarene Basin, Mauritius, Mozambique, Réunion, the Seychelles, Somalia, Yemen, Oman, Maldives, India, Sri lanka, Mozambique, in the tropical Pacific Ocean as far north as Hawaii and towards the western Pacific reaching the Galápagos islands.
Many shells of the species were found by Sir Austen Henry Layard in his excavations at Nimrud in 1845-1851. The shell was also introduced to Native Americans during and after the fur trade by European traders as a cheaper substitute for highly treasured elk ivory, for dowry, and for other uses as ornaments.
Top left are two Braille points, vertically, for the visually impaired.
Denomination in numeral and in words is centered.
Revers:
Garden city.
Tembusu tree and orchid flowers, the skyscrapers are on background.
Gardens by the Bay is a park spanning 101 hectares (1,010,000 m2) of reclaimed land in central Singapore, adjacent to the Marina Reservoir. The park consists of three waterfront gardens: Bay South Garden, Bay East Garden and Bay Central Garden.The largest of the three gardens is Bay South Garden, standing at 54 hectares.
On banknote is the famous, in Singapore, Tembusu tree (Fagraea fragrans or Cyrtophyllum fragrans) in Singapore botanical Garden, on the lawn, next to the "Swan Lake".
It is believed that the tree was there well before the Gardens were laid out, in 1859. Whenever you mention about a 5-dollars note, almost everyone in the nation will relate the sweet and joyful story about the tree. Kids and adults find it irresistible to park themselves on the lower part of the broad branch and taking photos with this chivalrous tree is a familiar task to most of us.
The branch of the tree grown wide and, as it is politely lowered, with not more than 6 inches before it touches the ground. As years go by, the wise turn wiser, the old turn older. Crutches may have become the evidence of a wisdom man.
Now, the gracious wise tree has been conserved by the National Parks under the Heritage Trees Scheme.
The tree and its magnificent lower branches have been fenced since December 2013 to remove the soil re-consolidation caused by visitors over the years. Over time, the decomposition of fallen leaves and the activity of soil organisms will enrich the soil, allowing the roots of the tree to grow even better.
Next to the edge of the Palm Alley is another tree, perhaps even older than a fenced glow. It supports a huge vine of Morinda umbellata, a woody liana that can be almost as old as the tree itself.
For these two trees a long forgotten sight is described, when clouds of flying foxes gather on their fruits from all corners of the island. "They are arranging a night feast ... gulching and fighting ... tearing the skins of berries and seeds in red sprays."
The Tembusu (Fagraea fragrans) is a large evergreen tree in the family Gentianaceae. It is native to Southeast Asia. Its trunk is dark brown, with deeply fissured bark, looking somewhat like a bittergourd. It grows in an irregular shape from 10 to 25 m. high. Its leaves are light green and oval in shape. Its yellowish flowers have a distinct fragrance and the fruits of the tree are bitter tasting red berries, which are eaten by birds and fruit bats.
The trunk of this tree can produce very hard wood that can be used to make chopping boards. The wood can last over 100 years, particularly as termites and weevils do not eat this kind of wood. People always use this wood for creating the floors of their homes and love to sleep on it.
It is a slowly growing, evergreen tree that can reach 30 m. in height, with a dark brown, deeply cracked bark. Thin, leathery leaves 3-11 cm. long, wavy along the edges. Funnel-shaped flowers about 2 cm. across, ranging from creamy white to yellow. Fruits are small berries, ripen from orange to red. The species is distributed from South Myanmar through Southeast Asia up to New Guinea. It is often found on poorly aerated soils of swampy lowlands and heathy forests.
Singapore Tembusu blooms between April and July, fruiting two to three months later. (addgrainonearth.com)
On right side are the national flowers of Singapore - Vanda Miss Joaquim.
Naturalized Armenian women constituted a serious competitor to other participants of Singapore flower exhibitions. Most of the 1890 prize for his plant got Maggie Cheyter, Irene and Rips Johannes, but dominated by women of different generations of the family Joachim, received in 1897, 18 of the 104 prizes. In the history of the country has remained an Armenian Agnes Joaquim, that gave orchid variety "Vanda Miss Joaquim". In 1947, this amazingly beautiful flower was chosen as the emblem of the Progressive Party, and in 1981 - the national flower, symbol of Singapore.
The eldest daughter of Parsika and Hurel Joaquim, Agnes, from her youth fond of floriculture, as well as many other women of her family. From 1893 to 1895 years, it has taken over three annual exhibitions in Singapore, a total of twenty-seven first places and fifteen second. But her finest hour came in the 1899th, to the best in many years show, "highlight" which became her "Vanda", obtained by crossing two varieties of orchids - Burmese Vanda teres and Malay Vanda hookeriana. New flower Agnes withdrew in 1893, and at the same time introduced to Henry Ridley, Director of the Singapore Botanic Gardens. He sent information about the flower in the flower authoritative edition of the "Gardeners' Chronicle", where it was published. In 1897, "Vanda Miss Joaquim" first blossomed on European soil. This orchid has caused delight at the Royal Agricultural Show in London, where a certificate has been awarded the first category. To date, nearly 440 hybrids obtained by crossing varieties of flowers "Vanda Miss Joaquim".
Near lower denomination is a Merlion (same, as on obverse).
Denominations in numerals are in top and lower left corners.
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