...Tonga - ND1995 Reprints Of Three Notes 1, 2 And 5 Pa'anga Full Set

Puleʻanga Fakatuʻi ʻO Tonga

(Kingdom of Tonga)

 

Pangike Pule Fakafanua 'O Tonga

(National Reserve Bank of Tonga, Est.1989)

Currency - Pa'anga (TOP)

Posted below are the three notes of 1, 2 and 5 pa'anga belonging to the series nd1995. It is not sure when these three notes were issued, but most likely is between 1996 and 2000 given that the tenures for the Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance both ended in 2000. This series was first introduced in 1995 and these three notes are the first reprints for the series. Only three notes were issued with these signature combinations. The first series consists of five notes of 1, 2, 5, 10 and 20 pa'anga.

 

Whilst Tonga had a rather small population back in the mid 90s (around 100,000), the quantity printed for this series was relatively small too. Based on my observation, around one million pieces were printed for both the one and two pa'anga denominations (prefixes C/2 to C/3), and perhaps only 500,000 pieces printed for the five pa'anga denomination (prefix C/1 500001 to 1000000). These notes were printed by Thomas De La Rue and Company Limited (now De La Rue).

I bought these 3 notes from a local dealer here and they were sold separately and not as a set. Despite  these notes being over 20 years old, they are still relatively cheap, even though the quantity printed was not that many. Perhaps, the only reason is that Tonga banknotes are not in demand or they are pretty easy to find, even in uncirculated condition.

One Pa'anga

 

Signatures

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

Minister of Finance - Tutoatasi Kinikinlau Fakafanua (1991-2000)

Watermark - Bust of King Taufa'ahau Topou IV facing right

Dimensions - 151.5mm x 71mm

 

Front - Portrait of King Taufa'ahau Topou IV (b.1918-2006). King Taufa'ahau Topou IV (born Siaosi Taufa'ahau Tupoulahi) was crowned King of Tonga in 1965, following the death of his mother, Queen Salote Tupoulll (born Salote Mafile'o Pilolevu), who ruled Tonga for 48 years from 1918 to 1965.

Back - View of a coastal town. It is not sure if this is actually related to an actual town or location or simply just an artist's impression. 

 

Two Pa'anga

 

Signatures

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

Minister of Finance - Tutoatasi Kinikinlau Fakafanua (1991-2000)

Watermark - Bust of King Taufa'ahau Topou IV facing right

Dimensions - 151.5mm x 71mm

 

Front - Portrait of King Taufa'ahau Topou IV (b.1918-2006). King Taufa'ahau Topou IV (born Siaosi Taufa'ahau Tupoulahi) was crowned King of Tonga in 1965, following the death of his mother, Queen Salote Tupoulll (born Salote Mafile'o Pilolevu), who ruled Tonga for 48 years from 1918 to 1965.

 

Back - Four women making tapa cloth, with a native hut in the background. The two women on the left are putting designs to the tapa cloth whilst the two on the right are beating the tapa.

Five Pa'anga

 

Signatures

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

Minister of Finance - Tutoatasi Kinikinlau Fakafanua (1991-2000)

Watermark - Bust of King Taufa'ahau Topou IV facing right

Dimensions - 151mm x 71mm

 

Front - Portrait of King Taufa'ahau Topou IV (b.1918-2006). King Taufa'ahau Topou IV (born Siaosi Taufa'ahau Tupoulahi) was crowned King of Tonga in 1965, following the death of his mother, Queen Salote Tupoulll (born Salote Mafile'o Pilolevu), who ruled Tonga for 48 years from 1918 to 1965.

 

Back - Ha'amonga stone gateway or Ha'amonga 'a Maui is a stone structure with two vertical large stones supporting a third stone on the top. This Ha'amonga 'a Maui is situated on the island of Tongatapu. Standing next to the structure is a man/woman. This gives you some ideas how big this structure is. It is believed that this structure was built by King Tu'itatui in the 13th century in honour of his sons.

...Solomon Islands - $50 and $100 ND2023 Specimen Modified And Upgraded Series

Solomon Islands

Central Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI - est.1983)

Currency - Dollar (SBD)

 

Governor - Dr Luke Forau

Secretary, Minister of Finance - McKinie P Dentana

 

On 28.12.2023, the Central Bank of Solomon Islands released two new notes of $50 and $100. The designs for these two notes are similar to those previously issued in 2013 and 2015 but with added security features, which include an embedded 17 mm wide micro-optic stripe band on the front of the notes. The micro-optic strip replaced the Optiks security thread of the previous series.

Whilst the 2013 and 2015 series were all printed on Hybrid materials, these two new notes are not. Basically there are no changes to the notes except for the micro-optic stripe band. Based on the prefixes of these two notes printed, it looks like they are the continuation of the current series.

The two notes that I have posted here are both specimen notes.

Fifty Dollars

 

Front - An abstract pattern work based on local native basket weave designs and is intended to represent the swirling movement of shoals of fish. The see-through is a fish eating Frigate Bird that is shown in outline with wings outstretched. A large billowing flag showing as if being blown from the left with strong wind with the upward slanting yellow stripe on the flag adding to the dynamic movement effect. The Coat of Arms is on the right. The embedded 18 mm wide micro-optic stripe band which is located in the central right has images of a swimming shark and a crocodile. At the bottom is a symbolic representation of two birds passing a fish between them.

 

Watermarks - Sanford's sea eagle head and electrotype CBSI

Dimensions - 147mm x 67.5mm

 

Back - Montages of local fauna and flora like shell, lizard snake, iguana and fungi to recognise and celebrate the unique biodiversity of the islands.

 

One Hundred Dollars

 

Front - An abstract pattern work based on geometrical design and is intended to represent the swirling movement of shoals of fish. Fish is also represented by the symbols that are flanking the Coat of Arms. A large billowing flag showing as if being blown from the left with strong wind with the upward slanting yellow stripe on the flag adding to the dynamic movement effect. The Coat of Arms is on the right. The embedded 18 mm wide micro-optic stripe band which is located in the central right has images of a swimming shark and a crocodile.

Watermarks - Sanford's sea eagle head and electrotype CBSI

Dimensions - 152.5mm x 67.5mm

Back - Images of coconut growing with a man harvesting coconuts. To the left is a necklace and an opened coconut in the middle.

...Samoa - 2023/2024 Polymer Series

Malo Saʻoloto Tutoʻatasi o Sāmoa

(Independent State of Samoa)

Central Bank of Samoa (est.1984)

Currency : Tala (WST)

Signatures

Minister of Finance - Lautimui Afoa Uelese Va'ai (since 01.10.2023)

Governor - Maiava Atalina Emma Ainuu-Enari (since 11.08.2011)

 

In December 2023, the central bank announced three new banknotes to be issued. These three notes are all printed on polymer substrate materials. On 18.12.2023, the bank then released the first denomination of 5 tala, with the remaining two denominations released on 23.01.2024.

 

The designs for this new series are similar to the last paper series, except that these new notes are printed on polymer substrate material and as such a see-through window is incorporated on each of the notes. Like those banknotes introduced since 2008, the prefixes are all printed with double-letter, and the first prefix for the 5 tala is AA, with BB for the 10 tala; and CC for the 20 tala. The replacement prefix is printed with the two letters ZZ.

 

Five Tala

Sandy beach in Samoa

 

Front -  Tourism team. A beautiful pristine view of a sandy beach in Samoa. Tourism is one of the main economic drivers of Samoa.

 

Five Tala (Replacement prefix ZZ)

Sandy beach in Samoa

 

Back - Robert Louis Stevenson's former residence in Samoa. He is known as Tusitala (Teller of Tales) to the locals in Samoa. Robert Louis Stevenson (b.1850-1894) was a Scottish novelist and a travel writer. He settled in Samoa in 1890 and died of a stroke in 1894 at the age of 44 years old. He died in a village called Vailima (Villa Vailima) which is about four miles south of Apia, the capital of Samoa. His former residence is now a museum.

 

Dimensions - 141.5mm x 73mm

 

Robert Louis Stevenson Museum

 

Ten Tala

Samoa International Rugby Board (IRB) Hong Kong Sevens Champion 2007

Front - Sport theme. It features Samoa's rugby sevens team triumphant victory, crowned champions at the International Rugby Board (IRB) Hong Kong Sevens in 2007. This tournament was founded in 1976 and is a 3 days event held annually in Hong Kong. Since then, Samoa have won three times, in 1993, 2007 and 2010.

 

Ten Tala (Replacement Prefix ZZ

Samoa International Rugby Board (IRB) Hong Kong Sevens Champion 2007

Dimensions - 140.5mm x 73mm

Back - Samoan children on their way to school.

 

Samoan children

Twenty Tala

Sopoaga falls

Twenty Tala (Replacement prefix ZZ)

Sopoaga falls

 

Front - Image of Sopoaga falls in Samoa. This waterfall is situated on the island of Upolu and is the largest waterfall in Samoa. entrance to this falls cost 10 tala per person.

Dimensions - 141mm x 72.5mm

Back - Featuring the national bird of Samoa, the Manumea, and Samoa's national flower, the Teuila.

 

Manumea and Teuila (National bird and flower)

...New Zealand - $50 Reprint ND2021

 New Zealand

Aotearoa

Reserve Bank of New Zealand (est.1934)
Te Putea Matua

Currency : Dollar (NZD)

 

This is a second reprint of a $50, first introduced in 2016 (Brighter Money Series). The first reprint was issued with the date of (nd)2018 and also bearing the signature of the Governor Adrian Orr.

As this is a reprint, the designs are still the same as those previously issued.

Fifty Dollars

Sir Apirana Ngata (b.1874–1950), Porourangi Meeting House

Front - To the center right is the portrait of Sir Apirana Ngata (b.1874–1950). Sir Apirana Ngata was the first Māori to graduate from a university in the country and a Member of Parliament for 38 years. He was a Maori activist during his lifetime. In the centre left is Porourangi Meeting House. This house was designed by Major Rōpata Wahawaha and was built in 1888. This house is significant to the Ngata family as it is located next to the original Ngata family home.

 

This Tukutuku panel is known as ‘Poutama’. It means ‘stairway to heaven’ and is a feature in the Porourangi meeting house. Ko Poutama te ingoa o tēnei tukutuku, arā, ko te pikinga ki ngā rangi. He tauira tēnei i roto i te wharenui o Porourangi. 

 

Governor - Adrian Orr (since 2018)

Dimensions - 151.5mm x 73mm

 

Back - The kōkako or blue wattled crow (Callaeas Wilsoni) is a large, native bird with a distinctive bluish-grey body, a black face ‘mask’ and sky-blue wattles. The variety on the note is the North Island kōkako.

 

Pureora Forest Park, located in the central North Island, stretches for 78,000 hectares. It is one of the most ecologically significant forests in New Zealand and home to a large population of kōkako.

The sky-blue mushroom (Entoloma hochstetteri) grows throughout New Zealand. It is notable for its bright blue colour, which fades with age. 

 

To the center left are two sky-blue mushrooms. The sky-blue mushroom can be found throughout the country and it has a very distinct bright blue colour, which fades with age. 

 

Sky-blue mushrooms, Pureora Forest Park, kōkako or blue wattled crow

...Solomon Islands - $50 and $100 ND2023 Modified And Upgraded Series

Solomon Islands

Central Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI - est.1983)

Currency - Dollar (SBD)

 

Signatures

Governor - Dr Luke Forau

Secretary, Minister of Finance - McKinie P Dentana

 

On 28.12.2023, the Central Bank of Solomon Islands released two new notes of $50 and $100. The designs for these two notes are similar to those previously issued in 2013 and 2015 respectively, but with added security features, which include an embedded 17mm wide micro-optic stripe band on the front of the notes. The micro-optic strip replaced the Optiks security thread (Hybrid) of the previous series.

Whilst the 2013 and 2015 series were all printed on Hybrid materials, these two new notes are not. Basically there are no changes to the designs except for the micro-optic stripe band. Based on the prefixes of these two notes printed, it looks like they are the continuation of the current series.

 

It is not sure if any replacement notes for this series have been printed. I have not seen any yet and would like to get them if they have been issued. To collect a full set, one must have a normal note (preferably first prefix), a replacement note and one specimen as well.

Fifty Dollars

A large billowing flag and Coat of Arms

Front - An abstract pattern work based on local native basket weave designs and is intended to represent the swirling movement of shoals of fish. The see-through is a fish eating Frigate Bird that is shown in outline with wings outstretched. A large billowing flag showing as if being blown from the left with strong wind with the upward slanting yellow stripe on the flag adding to the dynamic movement effect. The Coat of Arms is on the right. The embedded 18 mm wide micro-optic stripe band which is located in the central right has images of a swimming shark and a crocodile. At the bottom is a symbolic representation of two birds passing a fish between them.

 

Watermarks - Sanford's sea eagle head and electrotype CBSI

Dimensions - 147mm x 67.5mm

 

Back - Montages of local fauna and flora like shell, lizard snake, iguana and fungi to recognise and celebrate the unique biodiversity of the islands.

Montages of local fauna and flora like shell, lizard snake, iguana and fungi

One Hundred Dollars

A large billowing flag and Coat of Arms

Front - An abstract pattern work based on geometrical design and is intended to represent the swirling movement of shoals of fish. Fish is also represented by the symbols that are flanking the Coat of Arms. A large billowing flag showing as if being blown from the left with strong wind with the upward slanting yellow stripe on the flag adding to the dynamic movement effect. The Coat of Arms is on the right. The embedded 18 mm wide micro-optic stripe band which is located in the central right has images of a swimming shark and a crocodile.

Watermarks - Sanford's sea eagle head and electrotype CBSI

Dimensions - 152.5mm x 67.5mm

Back - Images of coconut growing with a man harvesting coconuts. To the left is a necklace and an opened coconut in the middle.

A man harvesting coconuts