Orchid $25 (1972)
The Pillars of Justice
The Supreme Court building, with its imposing columns and grand façade, was the symbol of justice and order in our young nation. Constructed in the 1930s, the building had acted as the centre of Singapore’s judiciary since the days of the British colonial rule. Following Singapore’s independence, it became more than a building; it was a promise that fairness and equality would be the cornerstones of our society. In the years to come, it was in this building that the laws governing our new nation would be upheld.
Circulation status: Discontinued
Issuing authority: BCCS
First issued: 7 August 1972
Pieces issued: 50 million
Printer: Thomas De La Rue & Co Ltd
Material: Paper
‘Singapore’ in caps
‘Singapore’ in four languages
National Coat of Arms
Denomination print: ‘$25’ & ‘TWENTY-FIVE DOLLARS’
Size: 140mm x 79mm
Colour: Brown
Guarantee: Legal tender affirmation
First prefix: A1
Last prefix: A50
Replacement prefix: Z1
Signed by: Minister for Finance Hon Sui Sen (with seal)
Watermark of lion’s head
Fluorescent ink
One solid, vertical security thread
Intaglio print
Geometric patterns
An Unusual $25 Experiment
The $25 denomination is rare not only in Singapore’s banknote history, but anywhere in the world. Back in the 1960s, it was not intended initially. However, after all the other denominations were confirmed, some believed it could be a useful middle denomination between the $10 and $50. But they turned out to be wrong. The $25 denomination was unpopular and discontinued after the Orchid series, because it was tedious to compute for everyday transactions. People found it tough, for example, to quickly calculate how much change to be obtained from paying $25 for a $17.20 item?
Aurora
• Genus: Renanthopsis
• Grex: Aurora
• Registrant: H. Iwanaga
• Originator: H. Iwanaga (1961)
The Renanthopsis is a man-made orchid hybrid, created by crossing Renanthera and Phalaenopsis. It combines the bright, eye-catching flowers and climbing nature of Renanthera with the neat, elegant look of Phalaenopsis. Renanthopsis is not a natural orchid species—it was specially created through cross-breeding. In Singapore’s Orchid banknotes, other examples of hybrid genera include the Papilionanda (a mix of Papilionanthe and Vanda) and Aranda (a mix of Arachnis and Vanda). The name Aurora refers to a grex, which is a group of hybrids that come from the same cross between two parent orchids. Different clones of the Renanthopsis Aurora can have noticeably different colours, sizes, or blooming habits.
Supreme Court over Time: War, Politics and Legacy
During the Japanese Occupation, the old Supreme Court building was taken over by the Japanese military and used as their headquarters. After the war ended, the building became the site for war crime trials. These trials were held to punish Japanese officers and locals who had worked with them during the war. One of the most serious crimes was the Sook Ching massacre, where the Japanese army carried out a systematic killing of Chinese civilians suspected of being anti-Japanese. Thousands of people were killed during this operation.
The 1960s saw high-profile trials in the Supreme Court, including cases involving political figures. One well-known case was that of Lim Chin Siong, a popular left-wing leader, who was accused of inciting violence during the 1964 racial riots. At the time, Singapore was going through a period of political tension, with fierce competition between the government and opposition groups. The courtroom became a place where these tensions played out in public.
In 2005, the old Supreme Court building was officially closed, and the court moved to a new, modern building located just behind it. The new Supreme Court has a more updated design and facilities to meet the needs of Singapore’s growing legal system. The old building, however, was carefully preserved because of its historical and architectural value. It was later converted into part of the National Gallery Singapore, which officially opened in 2015. Today, the building is used to house and display important Southeast Asian and Singaporean artworks.
Architecturally, the old Supreme Court building is one of Singapore’s most impressive colonial landmarks. It features tall Corinthian columns, a large central dome, and a beautifully carved pediment above its main entrance—design elements that reflect the style of ancient Roman architecture. This building was the last grand neoclassical structure built during Singapore’s colonial period. (Neoclassicism was a style popular in the 18th and 19th centuries that took inspiration from Greek and Roman art and buildings.)
Market Value in 2024
Market Price: $350
Condition
• Ungraded
• Lightly used
• No tears, pinholes, stains or foxing
• Minor creases & folds
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, in superior condition, 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 A1 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. Orchid registration details from International Orchid Register.
3. Image by Masahiro Saito. Source: http://orchids.la.coocan.jp/Renanthera/Renanthera%20storiei/DSC09142.JPG
4. Image by Neo Tuanhong. Source: https://orchidroots.com/display/summary/orchidaceae/177342/?role=pub.
5. Image from Seed Fella listing. Source: https://seedfella.com/products/phalaenopsis-orchids-flower-seeds-planting-dark-pink-100-pcs.
6. Image from If Only Singaporeans Stopped to Think. Source: https://ifonlysingaporeans.blogspot.com/2014/12/singapore-government-responds-to.html.
7. Image from User:Sengkang, Wikipedia. Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a7/Old_Supreme_Court_Building_5%2C_Jan_06.JPG
8. Image by Yeo Kok Leng, Wikipedia. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:AllegoryofJustice-OldSupremeCourtBuilding-Singapore-20071013-02.jpg.