Singapore $10 Ship Series Banknote – Palari Boat & Public Housing (1988 Issue)
Historical context
Issued by the Board of Commissioners of Currency, Singapore, this note belongs to the second major post‑independence banknote family. The Ship Series was designed to honour traditional maritime vessels that contributed to Singapore’s early economy, while the reverse imagery reflects the nation’s modernisation and housing achievements.
Obverse design
The front of the note features a detailed engraving of a Palari boat, a traditional sailing and barter‑trading vessel from South Sulawesi. Its inclusion underscores Singapore’s historical role as a maritime crossroads. Additional elements include:
Palari boat in full sail
Round scad fish at the lower right, a nod to regional marine life
Multilingual country name in Chinese, Latin, and Tamil scripts
Denomination TEN DOLLARS
Signature of the Minister for Finance
Text affirming legal‑tender status
The colour palette is dominated by warm red and orange tones, typical of the $10 denomination in this series.
Reverse design
The reverse shifts from maritime heritage to modern urban identity, depicting:
A panoramic view of Singapore public housing (HDB flats)
Denomination repeated in multiple positions
Printer imprint: Thomas De La Rue and Company Limited
This pairing of traditional and modern imagery symbolises Singapore’s journey from trading port to developed nation.
Key specifications
Feature Details
Country Singapore
Issuer Board of Commissioners of Currency, Singapore
Period Republic (1965–present)
Type Standard circulation banknote
Year 1988
Denomination 10 Dollars (SGD)
Currency Singapore Dollar
Composition Paper
Size 141 × 69 mm
Shape Rectangular
Scripts Chinese, Latin, Tamil
Watermark Lion’s head
References Pick 20, KNB MBS 29
Artistic and cultural significance
The Ship Series is widely admired for its balance of heritage and modernity. The Palari boat represents regional maritime culture, while the HDB flats highlight Singapore’s nation‑building achievements. The multilingual inscriptions reinforce the country’s multicultural identity.
Collecting appeal
Collectors value this note for:
Its place in the iconic Ship Series
Strong De La Rue engraving quality
The distirctive red colour scheme
Its representation of Singapore’s maritime and urban history
High‑grade examples remain popular, especially early‑date varieties like the 1988 issue.
