...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.

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

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

...Tonga - ND2023 Series Full Set Paper And Polymer Commemorative

 Puleʻanga Fakatuʻi ʻO Tonga

(Kingdom of Tonga)

 

Pangike Pule Fakafanua 'O Tonga

(National Reserve Bank of Tonga, Est.1989)

Currency - Pa'anga (TOP)

 

Signatures

Prime Minister - Siaosi Ofakivahafolau Sovaleni (since December 2021)

Minister of Finance - Tiofilusi Tiueti (since October 2022)

Bank Governor - Tatafu Toma Moeaki (since December 2022)

 

Below is a full set of paper/polymer notes released on 04.12.2023. This set comprises six notes from 2 pa'anga to 100 pa'anga. This is the first time this tiny pacific nation has issued a polymer banknote and the bank has released them in the denominations of 5 and 10 pa'anga. I believe this is the 9th series of banknotes issued since 1921. This set was issued to commemorate the birthday of the Kingdom's moderniser King Tupou I. King George Tupou I was born on 04.12.1797 and died on 18.02.1893. He was the king of Tonga from 1845 until his death at the good old age of 95.

Right now there are about 11 nations in the Pacific region that are issuing their own banknotes, and all have at least one or two notes that are printed on polymer substrate except for the French Pacific Territories and New Caledonia. Countries like Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu have all fully converted their banknotes to polymer notes and now Tonga have issued two of their notes in polymer substrate notes too. The reason for the two notes of 5 and 10 pa'anga printed on SAFEGUARD on polymer substrate is that these are the two most used denominations in the country. These notes are all printed by De La Rue.

 

The theme for this new series is similar to those previous issues with the exception of the 50 pa'anga. I believe the design for the 50 pa'anga is completely new. As expected, the design on the front for all the notes are the same albeit in different colours. The dimensions for all six notes are also basically the same with 1 to 1.5mm in variance, which is normal. These notes are undated (nd2023).

Two Pa'anga

King of Tonga, Tupou VI (b.1959)

Front - King of Tonga, Tupou VI (b.1959). He was crowned King of Tonga on 18.03.2012 following the death of his brother, King George Tupou V. Prior to that, he was the 13th Prime Minister of Tonga from 2000 to 2006. In 2008, he was the Chief of mission for Tonga's High Commission in Canberra Australia and in 2010, he was appointed as the Tongan ambassador to Japan. To the far right is the Coat of Arms.

Watermarks - King Tupou VI and electrotype NRBT

Dimensions - 150.5mm x 70mm

 

Back - The theme on the back of the note is related to tourism, depicting a Humpback whale doing a water backsplash. Whales watching months in Tonga is from June to October, with August and September are the best months.

Whale watching

Five Pa'anga (Polymer)

King of Tonga, Tupou VI (b.1959)

 

Watermarks - King Tupou VI and electrotype NRBT (transparent window)

Dimensions - 151.5mm x 71mm

 

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. 

 

Ha'amonga 'a Maui

Ten Pa'anga (Polymer)

King of Tonga, Tupou VI (b.1959)

 

Watermarks - King Tupou VI and electrotype NRBT (transparent window)

Dimensions - 151.5mm x 70.5mm

 

Back - Tonga ancient and ritual ceremony, depicting Princess Angelika Latufuipeka Tuku'aho (b.1983) performing Kava Ceremony Milolua. The princess is the eldest daughter of King Tupou VI, and the princess is the current Tonga High Commissioner to Australia since 2012.

Milolua

Twenty Pa'anga

King of Tonga, Tupou VI (b.1959)

 

Front - This note is printed with a PUREIMAGE security feature, a holographic thread in the central right of the note.

 

Watermarks - King Tupou VI and electrotype NRBT

Dimensions - 151mm x 69.5mm

 

Back - The National Reserve Bank of Tonga (NRBT) building in Nkuk'alofa. The NRBT is a five story building and is the tallest building in Tonga. The building also hosts the Embassy of Japan.

The National Reserve Bank of Tonga (NRBT) building

Fifty Pa'anga

King of Tonga, Tupou VI (b.1959)

 

Front - On the front it features the NEXUS security thread, a dynamic micro-optic thread with the 'Drive' effect and denominational numeral.

 

Watermarks - King Tupou VI and electrotype NRBT

Dimensions - 151.5mm x 70mm

 

Back - The St George Government Building was built in May 2017. This is a four-storey building which is occupied by the Prime Minister department, the Minister of Finance and National Planning, and also the office of Trade and Foreign Affairs. The cost for the construction was funded via a grant from China and was built by Shanghai Construction Group.

 

St George Government Building

One Hundred Pa'anga

King of Tonga, Tupou VI (b.1959)

 

Front - With NEXUS security feature which is a 18mm wide embedded micro optic stripe on the central left side of the note.

 

Watermarks - King Tupou VI and electrotype NRBT

Dimensions - 151mm x 70mm

 

Back - On the back is the Royal Palace situated in Nuku'Alofa, the capital city of Tonga. This wooden palace was built in 1867 and is located only a short distance from the Pacific ocean. The palace is the official residence of the King of Tonga.

Tonga Royal Palace in Nuku'alofa (capital city of Tonga)