Customer Questions the Legality of No Longer Accepting 5-Cent Coins

A customer in Tampines took to social media after noticing that a coffee shop had stopped accepting 5-cent coins, questioning whether it was legal to do so. Mr. Leslie Tan posted on the Facebook Group ‘Complaint Singapore,’ asking, “Is it legal to openly declare that they don’t accept 5 cent coin although it is a legal coin in Singapore?”

Notice of Policy Must Be Clearly Displayed
According to netizens, it is legally permissible for businesses to refuse specific coins, including the 5-cent coin. However, they must display a clear notice where customers can see it. The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) requires these notices to be written in English and, where possible, in all four official languages—English, Chinese, Malay, and Tamil—ensuring visibility for all customers. This is to comply with MAS guidelines, which mandate that such notices must be legible and posted in a prominent location within the store.