The Singapore $1 Coin Story

Ever spotted the difference?

I wonder how many of you noticed the differences between a more dated $1 coin and one that is more recently created.

I’m sure most of us know that MM Lee is a believer of fengshui. Besides the octagonal shape of our $1 coin, there’s something else people missed out.

Take a look at the close up of this coin dated 1990:

That was how the back of our $1 coin looked. Notice the banner right above “1990″ and the invisible arc line formed between the animals’ heads – they are both arched downwards.

Remember the Asian Financial Crisis that happened back in 1997 which hit Singapore pretty badly?

It was said that MM Lee consulted a fengshui shi fu about what he could do to improve the situation caused by the Asian Financial Crisis, and the fengshui shi fu swiftly gave a solution, that is the change the way the back of the coin is designed.

The shi fu pointed out that the design resembled a sad face:

“The Singaporeans are already so upset over the financial crisis, yet the $1 coin still has a sad looking face. How can?!! Change change change!” he said.

And change we did. Take a look at the design on our 1997 coin:

How does it look to you?

It sure looks like a smiley face to me.

Now you tell me lah, fengshui is important, but what would we do in a world without designers?!

Hahahaha!