October 4, 2012 – After much anticipation, “Kai Kai” and “Jia Jia” – a male giant panda and his female companion – have finally arrived in Singapore! To welcome them and mark their momentous arrival, a range of collectors’ coins exclusively minted and marketed by The Singapore Mint, have been officially issued by the Monetary Authority of Singapore on 6 September 2012. The uniquely designed collection also includes Singapore’s very first oval coin.
Singapore / 2 SGD / Cupro-Nickel / 20 g / 38.70 mm / Mintage: 10,000.
Much like the lion is to Singapore, the giant pandas is considered the national animal to the People’s Republic of China. Well loved by many for their playful image and gentle, docile nature, giant pandas however face a high threat of extinction with fewer than 1,600 pandas left in the wild. The arrival of Kai Kai and Jia Jia signifies the close diplomatic relations between Singapore and China. They are to stay in Singapore for 10 years as part of a joint collaboration between China Wildlife Conservation Association and Wildlife Reserves Singapore to promote giant panda conservation.
Singapore / 2 SGD / Cupro-Nickel, coloured / 20 g / 38.70 mm / Mintage: 10,000.
All the coins in the set feature the playful Kai Kai and Jia Jia on the reverse. They are portrayed relaxing in their natural habitat of verdant bamboo groves. Alongside the pandas, their Chinese names are engraved in an elegant Chinese script. The obverse of the coins bears the Singapore Coat of Arms and the year of mintage, 2012.
Singapore / 5 SGD / silver 999 / 31.10 g / 45.00 x 31.00 mm / Mintage: 10,000.
The coins are available in three versions, with limited mintages of 10,000 pieces each. The $5 coins are minted in 999 Fine Silver and feature a unique oval shape, finished in full colour and the highest proof quality; The $2 coins are minted in cupro-nickel, featuring a round design in proof-like finishing, with coloured and non-coloured versions available.
Singapore is the ninth country to receive pandas from China since 1994. Following the innovative tradition of producing uniquely designed coins, the oval design adopted for the fine silver proof version of the coin is a first for Singapore, symbolising the significance of the pandas’ arrival. A definite must-have for all discerning collectors is the special collector’s set that features all three versions of the coin – only 3,000 sets (retailing at $215 each) have been produced.
As part of the launch of the Giant Panda Commemorative Coins, SGD$1 from the sale of every silver Giant Panda coin will be channeled to Wildlife Reserves Singapore to support the conservation of the endangered giant panda through a breeding and research program.
For more information, please visit the website of the Singapore Mint.
Here you can learn more about the China Wildlife Conservation Association …
… and the Wildlife Reserves Singapore.
To watch the two pandas arrive at Singapore just click here.
They are also at Facebook as you may check out!