The Monetary Authority of Singapore, responding to a letter about the use and acceptance of 5-cent coins, said the coins remain in use in Singapore and will continue to be issued to meet demand. It pointed to continued retail use, including supermarkets pricing goods in 5-cent increments and charging 5 or 10 cents for plastic bags, and said it will monitor the coin’s longer-term relevance. MAS also clarified that under the Currency Act, merchants may choose not to accept certain coins for payment if they put up a written notice to inform customers. It said merchants may weigh factors such as the impact on customers, the value of the transaction and the cost of handling coins, while customers remain free to decide whether to patronize those businesses.
Monetary Authority of Singapore2026-07-23
Monetary Authority of Singapore says it will continue issuing 5 cent coins and clarifies merchants may refuse them with notice
The Monetary Authority of Singapore said 5-cent coins still have a use in Singapore and will continue issuing them to meet demand while monitoring their longer-term relevance. It also clarified that merchants may refuse certain coins under the Currency Act if they display a written notice to customers.