1999 M2 $2
Entering the New Millennium
In 1999, as the 2nd millennium (M2) approached, we focused on consolidating the strengths we had built over the past decades. It was a time to reinforce the foundations of good governance, economic stability, and social cohesion that had supported our growth. We worked to strengthen our institutions, sharpen our competitiveness, and prepare our people for the opportunities and challenges ahead. While we had come far, we were determined to build an even stronger and more resilient nation.
Circulation status: Commemorative
Issuing authority: BCCS
First issued: 8 December 1999
Pieces issued:
• 4.9 million (regular edition)
• Unknown (identical number edition)
• 2,000 sheets (3-in-1 uncut edition)
Printer: Thomas De La Rue & Co Ltd
Material: Paper
Artist: Eng Siak Loy
‘Singapore’ in caps
‘Singapore’ in four languages
National Coat of Arms
Lion Head symbols
Image: Education (back), featuring:
• Victoria Bridge school
• Old Raffles Institution
• College of Medicine
• Fluorescent ink & fibres
• Intaglio & reverse intaglio printing
• Micro-lettering
• Perfect registration of Lion Head
• Ultraviolet-visible text
• Asymmetrical serial number digits
• EURion constellation
• Floral patterns
• Watermark of Yusof Ishak
• Security thread with variable image
• Silver Kinegram-like device
• Latent image patch of Lion Head
Logo Prefix, Seven Digits—A Millennium Rarity
The Millennium $2 note is special in two ways. It is the only Singapore banknote that uses a logo instead of letters for its prefix. Instead, the first digit of the serial number acts as the prefix. It is also the only note in our history with a seven-digit serial number, besides the special number 1000000. Because of this, numbers like 2000000, 3000000, 4000000, and 5000000 can only be found on the Millennium $2 note, and there is only one piece of each. If any of these rare notes ever appear on the market, they will surely command extremely high prices from collectors.
Marking 2000 With Meaning and Music
The Millennium note commemorates the year 2000, not the number 2,000,000. So why is it called a “millennium”? The word comes from Latin: mille means one thousand, and annus means year. Together, millennium means a period of 1,000 years. It has nothing to do with the word “million”, which also comes from mille but takes a different path. “Million” came from Italian, where milione meant “a big thousand”—in other words, a thousand thousands, or 1,000,000. So although “millennium” and “million” sound similar, one refers to time, the other to numbers.
On 31 December 1999, Singapore welcomed the new millennium with a nationwide celebration called the Millennium Swing, a massive countdown party that brought together people from all walks of life. The main event was held at the Padang, where crowds gathered for live performances, a dramatic light show, and a midnight fireworks display over Marina Bay. Other parties took place across the island—in town centres, parks, and neighbourhoods—each with its own concerts, cultural showcases, and family-friendly festivities. The event marked not just the end of 1999, but the beginning of a new chapter for Singapore, with a hopeful and forward-looking spirit.
Market Value in 2024
Market Price: $18
Condition
• Ungraded
• Like new
• No tears, pinholes, stains, creases or folds
• Some foxing
Context
• The information here refers specifically to the banknote featured on the top of this page.
• The same note may fetch a higher price if it is graded, issued as a special edition, has special serial numbers, or is a specimen or error note.
• The same note may fetch a lower price if it lacks the first prefix 0 or is in poorer condition.
Attributions
1. Prefix and banknote details from Vincent Tan and Tan Wei Jie, Singapore Banknotes: Complete Prefix Reference, Mr Banknotes, 2017.
2. Image from Md Shariff Abdullah, Facebook. Source: https://www.facebook.com/shariff.sbr/posts/who-remembered-this-swing-singapore-who-is-with-me-echo-division-intake-42-spf-t/10022921814401355/.