oceania: ...Tonga - ND1995 Series Full Set s. Baron Vaea von Houma & James Cecil Cocker

Puleʻanga Fakatuʻi ʻO Tonga

(Kingdom of Tonga)

Pangike Pule Fakafanua 'O Tonga

(National Reserve Bank of Tonga)

Currency - Pa'anga (TOP)

This is the second series of banknotes issued by the National Reserve Bank of Tonga since the inception of the central bank in 1989. This series was introduced in 1995 with notes from 1 pa'anga to 20 pa'anga. The 50 pa'anga was later added to the series but with different signatures and therefore this is a full set I have posted here.

The design on the front for all the notes are the same, featuring the late monarch, King Táufa'ahau Tupou IV. The king was born in 1918 and died in 2006, aged 88. He became the King of Tonga following the death of her mother, Queen Sálote Tupou III in 1965. Prior to his death, he was one of the longest reigning living monarchs in the world. Some interesting facts about Queen Sálote Tupou III is that she was born in 1900 and took over the crown of Tonga in 1918. She went on and ruled Tonga until her death in 1965. She ruled Tonga for almost 48 years and still holds the records as the longest serving monarch in Tonga's history.

The designs on the back of this series depict the view of Vava'u harbour (1 pa'anga), women making native tapa cloth (2 pa'anga), Ha’amonga 'a Maui (stone trilithon) (5 pa'anga), the Royal Palace in Nuku'Alofa (10 pa'anga), and Tonga Development Bank building (20 pa'anga).

Signatures

Prime Minister - Baron Vaea von Houma (tenure 1991-2000);

Minister of Finance - James Cecil Cocker (tenure 1982-1991).

As I have stated that this set was issued in 1995, however, I have a feeling that this set was printed while the Finance Minister, James Cecil Cocker was still in office. In my opinion, it is likely that these notes were commissioned prior to 1991 and only introduced to the public in 1995. Tutoatasi Kimkinilau Fakafanua took over the role from 1991 to 2000 and his signature appeared on the second print of this series.

One Pa'anga