20 dollars 1979
Market Prices
118 salesAbout This Note
This is a Singapore $20 banknote from the 1979 Bird Series, graded UNC, representing one of the most popular and widely collected issues from Singapore's currency history. The note features a beautifully engraved yellow-breasted sunbird on the obverse and a Concorde supersonic aircraft over Changi Airport on the reverse, both rendered in vibrant multi-color printing that remains crisp and unmarred. The exceptional condition, combined with the iconic imagery celebrating Singapore's wildlife and modern infrastructure, makes this a desirable note for both general collectors and specialists in Asian currency.
Common. This is a regular issue banknote from Singapore's widely-circulated 1979 Bird Series, produced in substantial quantities for normal monetary circulation. eBay market data shows consistent trading activity from 2012 to 2024, with UNC examples selling in the $20–$79 range (averaging $30–$50 in recent years), indicating abundant supply relative to collector demand. While prices can reach $100+ for higher PMG grades (65–68) or exceptional examples, the ready availability and relatively low floor prices ($5–$30 for lower grades) confirm this is a common banknote despite its aesthetic appeal and historical significance.
Issued in 1979 by Singapore's Board of Commissioners of Currency, this banknote reflects the nation's rapid modernization and pride in technological achievement during the post-independence era. The depicted Concorde aircraft—specifically the British Airways aircraft modified in Singapore Airlines livery—symbolizes Singapore's role as a major international aviation hub, while Changi Airport's prominence on the reverse celebrates the country's infrastructure development. The yellow-breasted sunbird on the obverse represents Singapore's commitment to environmental awareness and natural heritage preservation during a period of intense economic growth.
The obverse features a meticulously engraved yellow-breasted sunbird (Aethopyga siparaja) perched on a branch in the upper left, rendered in naturalistic detail with yellow and blue plumage set against a decorative floral pattern background in pastel tones. The Singapore national coat of arms—depicting a crescent moon and five stars within a shield, flanked by two lions—appears in the upper right corner. A detailed engraving of the Singapore skyline with harbor and buildings occupies the lower portion, representing the nation's maritime commerce and urban development. The reverse depicts the Concorde supersonic aircraft (specifically Callsign G-BOAD, operated by British Airways in Singapore Airlines livery) in flight, positioned above a detailed engraving of Changi International Airport's terminal with crowds of travelers, set against a prominent decorative sunburst pattern in pink and yellow. The left side features a partial cultural figure in purple and grey tones, likely representing traditional Singapore heritage. Large denomination markers ('$20') appear prominently, with the printer's mark of Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co Ltd visible.
FRONT: '$20' and 'TWENTY DOLLARS' (English denomination); 'This note is legal tender for SINGAPORE' (English legal tender statement); 'YELLOW-BREASTED SUNBIRD' (English bird identification); 'MINISTER FOR FINANCE' (English signature line); 'MAJULAH SINGAPURA' (Malay: 'Onward Singapore', national motto); 'SINGAPURA' (English/Malay: Singapore); '新加坡' (Chinese: Singapore); 'சிங்கப்பூர்' (Tamil: Singapore); Serial number 'A79 6799921'. BACK: 'SINGAPORE' (English); '$20' (English denomination); 'BRADBURY, WILKINSON & CO LTD' (English printer's mark).
Intaglio (recess/engraving) printing executed by Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co Ltd (BWC), New Malden, a renowned security printer specializing in banknote production. The technique is evidenced by the detailed line work, fine hatching patterns, and complex background designs visible throughout the note. Multi-color printing was employed, with careful registration of various colored inks (yellow, blue, pink, green, brown, grey, cream) to create the vibrant and intricate imagery. The crisp, raised texture of the engraved elements and the precision of color separation are characteristic of BWC's high-quality security printing standards.
The observed serial number prefix 'A79' indicates the 1979 issue period. The note exhibits the standard obverse design with the yellow-breasted sunbird and Singapore skyline, and the standard reverse with the Concorde aircraft and Changi Airport terminal. PMG records indicate a single cataloged variant (P-12r) for this base Pick number, with BWC listed as the printer. No varieties such as signatures, date variants, or overprints are noted in the available catalog data. The specimen observed appears to be a typical printing of the 1979 regular issue without identifying marks of special runs or limited editions.
