...Samoa - 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) Commemorative Limited Editions

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)

Date - CHOGM 2024

Quantity - 2000* sets (* reportedly)

Dimensions - mm x mm

 

On 22.10.2024, the Central Bank of Samoa released four commemorative banknotes celebrating the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). This meeting was held from 21.10.2024 to 26.10.2024. This is the 27th meeting and was held in the capital city of Apia in Samoa. CHOGM was first started in 1971, and was held in Singapore. CHOGM is a bi-annually meeting event and has been held in all five continents, with the United Kingdom holding the most in such meetings. In all, they have hosted CHOGM five times - 1977, 1986, 1997, 2018 and 2023* (*special sessions).

 

Fifty-six commonwealth nations attended the 2024 CHOGM, with the majority of which were represented by the country's Head of State or Prime Minister. However, the leaders of India, South Africa and Canada, namely Narendra Modi, Cyril Ramaphosa and Justin Trudeau respectively did not attend this meeting as both Narendra Modi, Cyril Ramaphosa were in Kazan Russian for the BRICS summit held on 22-24.10.2024, and as for Justin Trudeau, he was worried about his employment at home and had decided not to attend just in case he got a tap on his shoulder by someone from this own party. As head of the Commonwealth, King Charles III and his wife, Queen Camilla both attended this meeting in Apia and both arrived on 22.10.2024, after a 5 days stopover in Australia (Sydney and Canberra) for a short state visit.

 

To celebrate this special event, the Central Bank of Samoa issued four commemorative notes of 5, 10, 20 and 60 tala. The designs for these notes are the same as those recently issued series but with an added commemorative logo of CHOGM on the front of each note.

 

In terms of commemorating the CHOGM events since 1971, this is the fifth time that banknotes have been issued to celebrate this special event and is also the only time that more than one note has been released. Below are banknotes released since 1997 to celebrate the CHOGM events : -

1997 - Scotland, Clydesdale Bank plc - £20;

2007 - Uganda - 10,000 shillings;

2009 - Trinidad and Tobago - $100;

2013 - Sri Lanka - 500 rupees; and

2024 - Samoa - 5, 10, 20 and 60 tala.

Whilst all previous CHOGM commemorative notes were released as face value, the Samoa CHOGM sets are not as they are all sold at a premium.

 

Given that these notes were recently released in the country for general circulation, and according to the central bank, these commemorative notes were issued in limited edition. However, I do not have the details as to how many sets were issued. According to a dealer's site, it was claimed that only 2,000 sets were issued for the three polymer notes of 5, 10 and 20 tala and for the 60 tala, it was reported but not confirmed that only 1000 sets were made available. Also according to the bank's website, these commemorative notes were sold in albums and folders. It should also be noted that the 60 tala note is a double commemorative series as the same notes were issued at two separate occasions to celebrate different historical events, albeit one with CHOGM logo overprint on it.

 

217.5mm x 136mm

All notes are printed with a CHOGM 2024 hologram logo on the front of each note. The logo is surrounded by microtext that lists the names of all 56 Commonwealth countries, and trust me, it's extremely hard to read them. I suppose this is why they called it microtext. All the commemorative notes begin with the serial number 060xxxx, and this is chosen because of Samoa's recent 60th anniversary of independence, which was celebrated in 2023 with the issuance of the 60 tala banknote. The original release for the 60 tala 2023 commemorative note was one million pieces. 

 

The next CHOGM will be held in 2026 in Antigua and Barbuda in the capital city of St. John's. Now, that would be a very nice few days of sun and sea holidays! The question I have here is that will there be any banknotes planned for this event? Antigua and Barbuda will be celebrating their 45th year of independence from the British in 2026 (November 1st) and if this 28th CHOGM is held around that time, it would be a double celebration for this tiny nation. No date has been set for this meeting yet. 

 

Here, I have posted a full set with matching serial numbers printed with the serial numbers of 0600246.

Five Tala (Polymer)

 

Dimensions - 140.5mm x 73mm

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

Ten Tala (Polymer)

 

Dimensions - 140mm x 73mm

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.

 

Back - Happy Samoan children on their way to school.

 

Twenty Tala (Polymer)

 

Dimensions - 140.5mm x 73mm

 

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.

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

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

 

Sixty Tala (Paper)

Governor - Maiava Atalina Emma Ainuu-Enari (since 2011)

Minister of Finance - Mulipola Anarosa Ale-Molioo (since 2021)

Date - CHOGM 2024

Watermark - Teuila flower (purple alpine), acronym CBS

Quantity - 1000* sets (* unconfirmed)

Dimensions - 141mm x 73.5mm  

 

Front - This note is issued in a tri-fold folder. The portrait of Fiame Naomi Mataafa, the Prime Minister of Samoa. Prior to becoming the Prime Minister, she was the Deputy Prime Minister from 2016 to 2020 representing the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP). In 2021, she joined the Fa'atuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (or FAST - Samoa United in Faith party) and was elected as their leader in March 2021. The FAST party was founded on 30.07.2020. She is the seventh Prime Minister of Samoa. In the center is the 60 SAMOA independence commemorative logo, and to the right is the billowing Samoa flag in blue and red colours and the Southern Cross constellation in white.

 

Back - The reverse side of the banknote depicts Samoa first Prime Minister of Samoa, the Honourable Fiame Matāa’fa Faumuina Mulinuu II (b.1921-1975), as he lowered the New Zealand flag on its first Independence in 1962, together with the 26th Prime Minister of New Zealand Sir Keith Jacka Holyoake (b.1904-1983) lowering the Samoan flag. The Western Samoan flag was then raised by joint heads of state Malietoa Tanumafili ll and Tupua Tamasese Mea'ole. Fiame Matāa’fa Faumuina Mulinuu II was also a Samoan paramount chief. To the right is the billowing flag of Samoa, and the commemorative logo is repeated on the bottom right side of the note. 

 

This is a tri-fold folder that comes with the 60 tala note. Inside the folder it has printed with information regarding the issuance of this commemorative note. It appears that these folders were presented as gifts to those who attended this meeting. I wonder if Narendra Modi, Cyril Ramaphosa and Justin Trudeau all got one too?

First Fold - As a remembrance of your participation in the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2024 and your visit to our beautiful islands, we present you with a special commemorative banknote created specially for this year's CHOGM held in Apia, Samoa.

A unique CHOGM 2024 hologram has been applied to the 60-tala commemorative banknote to create a special, commemorative banknote souvenir, especially prepared for this year's CHOGM in Samoa.

May you cherish this keepsake that marks a significant milestone not only in the history of Samoa but also in the history of the Commonwealth.

 

Center fold - On May 31, 2023, the Central Bank of Samoa issued a commemorative banknote celebrating Samoa's 60th anniversary of independence. The obverse of the banknote portrays Samoa's current and first female Prime Minister, the Honorable Fiame Naomi Mataa'fa. The reverse of the banknote depicts her father, the first Prime Minister of Samoa, the Honorable Fiame Mataa'fa Faumuina Mulinuu II, as he lowered the New Zealand flag on the country's first day of independence in 1962. This commemorative banknote honors and recognizes Samoa's core strength as its foundation in God with the words: "Folau ma le Faatuatua" (Sail with Faith) and "Faavae i le Atua Samoa" (Based on the God of Samoa).  

This commemorative banknote proudly won the title of "Best Commemorative Banknote of the Year"at the High Security Printing Asia event held in December 2023 in Sri Lanka.

 

 

Stamps:

To the left is a set of four Singaporean stamps issued in 1971 to celebrate the first CHOGM held in Singapore. If you look and count the number of flags printed on the stamps, there were only 32 countries attending this inauguration meeting back then. I have had this set of stamps in my collection since 1971, and unfortunately, as I have had them for so many years, you can see the aging effect on them.

...Samoa - 60 Tala Specimen 60th Year Of Independence From New Zealand 1962-2022

Malo Saʻoloto Tutoʻatasi o Sāmoa

Independent State of Samoa

Central Bank of Samoa, Est 1984

Currency - Tala (WST)

 

I posted the 60 tala commemorative note here on 04.07.2023. The note was issued on 31.05.2023 for the celebration of Samoa's 60th year of independence from New Zealand. To read more above my previous post, please feel free to click here.

 

Now, I have posted the specimen note for this issue. As a specimen note, this note is printed with the serial number ST 0000000 but with no printer control number on the bottom left side of the note. The word "Specimen" is printed diagonally in red in the center of the note on the front and back.

 

The note is printed with two oval shape stamps in red on the top left corner and bottom right cover on the front and on the back with the following test : -

 

Specimen

De La Rue

No Value

I cannot say that I am an expert in specimen banknotes and based on all the most recent Samoa's specimen notes released, this is slightly different from the rest. The difference here is the printer's oval shape specimen stamps. My question is, is this an official specimen issue or is there another one without the oval shape stamp? To me, this looks more like a printer's specimen and not those specimen notes intended to issue to the public for information and education purposes. This is my first specimen note that is printed this way, out of 358 pieces of specimen notes I have in my collection.

Sixty Tala Specimen

 

Governor - Maiava Atalina Emma Ainuu-Enari (since 2011)

Minister of Finance - Mulipola Anarosa Ale-Molioo (since 2021)

Watermark - Teuila flower (purple alpine), acronym

Quantity- Unknown

Dimensions - 141mm x 72.5mm

Front - The portrait of Fiame Naomi Mataafa, the Prime Minister of Samoa. Prior to becoming the Prime Minister, she was the Deputy Prime Minister from 2016 to 2020 representing the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP). In 2021, she joined the Fa'atuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (or FAST - Samoa United in Faith party) and was elected as their leader in March 2021. The FAST party was founded on 30.07.2020. She is the seventh Prime Minister of Samoa. In the center is the 60 SAMOA independence commemorative logo, and to the right is the billowing Samoa flag in blue and red colours and the Southern Cross constellation in white.
 

Back - The reverse side of the banknote depicts Samoa first Prime Minister of Samoa, the Honourable Fiame Matāa’fa Faumuina Mulinuu II (b.1921-1975), as he lowered the New Zealand flag on its first Independence in 1962, together with the 26th Prime Minister of New Zealand Sir Keith Jacka Holyoake (b.1904-1983) lowering the Samoan flag. The Western Samoan flag was then raised by joint heads of state Malietoa Tanumafili ll and Tupua Tamasese Mea'ole. Fiame Matāa’fa Faumuina Mulinuu II was also a Samoan paramount chief. To the right is the billowing flag of Samoa, and the commemorative logo is repeated on the bottom right side of the note.

...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)