SingPost Reimagines Historic 1966 First Independence Stamp Design for 61st National Day
13 July 2026
Commemorative Stamp Issue and Exclusive Limited-Edition Imperforated Stamp Sheets Open for Pre-Orders
Singapore Post Limited (SingPost) will release a special commemorative stamp issue on 7 August 2026 to mark the 61st Anniversary of Singapore’s Independence. The collection pays tribute to the nation’s very first independence anniversary stamps, issued on 9 August 1966, and introduces an exclusive imperforated stamp sheet offering for collectors.
A Stamp Issue Unlike Any Other in Singapore’s Postal History
The 1966 stamps hold a singular place in Singapore’s philatelic record. Issued to mark the first anniversary of independence, they remain the only Singapore stamps ever to bear the full formal name “Republic of Singapore.” Every issue since, beginning with the Masks and Dances definitive series in 1968, has carried simply “Singapore”.
The 1966 series was issued in three denominations sharing a uniform design across different colours, and carried the theme "Surviving in a Challenging Future in a Multi-Racial Society", a reflection of the nation’s priorities at that time. The imagery depicted workers from Singapore's diverse communities, public housing blocks, and industrial infrastructure, symbolising the grit, survival, and economic aspirations of a newly independent nation.
"The original 1966 stamp series was a purposeful declaration of our new statehood, capturing the sense of optimism, vision and progress for the nation. When the suggestion of remaking the iconic 1966 series was first mooted, the committee saw a historic milestone to celebrate exactly how far we have travelled as a nation. By layering intricate contemporary details onto that iconic 1960s pop-art aesthetic, this remake serves as a visual cover story of Singapore’s brilliant 60-year transformation. Placing the 1966 and 2026 sets side by side beautifully illustrates just how far we have advanced as a sovereign nation,” said Lim Chong Jin, former Chairman of the Stamp Advisory Committee (SAC), who oversaw the selection of this year’s National Day Stamp.
The 2026 Design: Sixty Years On
Where the 1966 stamps captured the economic vision of the new nation, the 2026 issue reflects a country that has moved from nation-building to global connectivity and sustainability. Designed by local graphic designer Lim Wen Bin, the collection reinterprets the visual language of the original series for contemporary Singapore.
Lim Wen Bin, the graphic designer behind the collection, said, "Following the original 1966 design, rendering the architectural backgrounds in a desaturated style allows the people in the foreground to pop in full, vibrant colour. This stark contrast is deeply intentional, as it is our people who built this nation. The ultimate creative challenge was deciding what to leave out rather than what to include. With Singapore having achieved so much over the past 60 years, it was vital to distill that immense progress into a simple, clear narrative that can be understood at a single glance on a canvas this small.”
The collection features three denominations (1st Local, $1.55, and $2), as well as a premium Miniature Sheet featuring striking silver rainbow foil hot stamping
Exclusive Imperforated Stamp Sheets (61 Limited Edition Sets)
SingPost will release an exclusive imperforated stamp sheet alongside this year’s commemorative issue. Unlike standard stamps, which feature the familiar rows of small punched holes along their edges to allow clean separation, imperforated stamps are printed on an unbroken sheet with no perforations. Produced in strictly limited quantities and intended for collecting rather than postage, imperforated stamps are among the most prized items in any philatelic collection, their rarity and the clean, uninterrupted presentation of the full design making them particularly sought after.
- The Set: Each exclusive set contains 3 full imperforated sheets, with 100 stamps on each sheet (covering all three new denominations).
- Strictly Limited: To mark the 61st anniversary, only 61 sets are available for pre-order from 15 July 2026 through https://spost.sg/reg-nd61-imperf
- Price: $610.00 per set (inclusive of GST)
- Ballot System: Given the extreme rarity of these sheets, they are available strictly via pre-order. As demand is expected to exceed the exclusive 61 available sets, allocation will be decided through a ballot system.
Regular and Perforated Stamp Sheets Sales
For regular collectors and daily mailing needs, standard Perforated Stamp Sheets (containing 100 stamps per sheet) will also be available for purchase at face value:
- 1st Local Sheet (100 stamps): $62.00
- $1.55 Sheet (100 stamps): $155.00
- $2.00 Sheet (100 stamps): $200.00
Other regular philatelic products in this issue include First Day Covers, Pre-cancelled First Day Covers, and a Presentation Pack.
