SingPost to release National Day stamps inspired by historic 1966 design

The 1966 stamps also hold a singular place in Singapore’s philatelic record, said SingPost. 

“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 original 1966 stamp series was a purposeful declaration of our new statehood, capturing the sense of optimism, vision and progress for the nation,” said former Chairman of the Stamp Advisory Committee, Lim Chong Jin, who oversaw the selection of this year’s National Day stamp.

In a move to reflect the shift from nation-building to global connectivity and sustainability, the 2026 version offers three landscapes – the changed Singapore central business district skyline, blocks of flats alongside an MRT train and high-rise buildings decked in greenery alongside the Gardens by the Bay Supertree and drones.

“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,” said Mr Lim.

Graphic designer Lim Wen Bin found the most challenging part of the assignment was deciding what to leave out.

“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,” he said.

The collection features three denominations, 1st Local, S$1.55, and S$2, as well as a premium Miniature Sheet featuring silver rainbow foil hot stamping.