King Tupou VI unveiled Tonga's New Family of Coronation Currency ^Featured

The new coronation currency consists of a new series of coins to replace the old coins and new banknotes with advanced security features.

The Privy Council approved to change the portrait from His Majesty the late King George Tupou V to His Majesty King Tupou VI effigy on the banknotes with slight changes to the design and paper to improve the quality and performance of the banknotes. The colour of the banknotes is slightly darker to prevent the notes from being soiled quickly. Security features were also updated to strengthen the resiliency of the banknotes to counterfeit. These include increasing the width of OPTIK thread from 2mm to 3 mm in the $2 to $20 and from 3mm to 18mm in the $50 to the security level in the $100 banknote.

Among the major changes to Tonga’s coronation currency series is the discontinuance of the 1 and 2 seniti and coining of the 1 pa’anga. Both the new notes and coins depict the portrait of His Majesty, King Tupou VI with the exception of the 1 pa’anga coin which depicts the portrait of His Majesty, the Late King George Tupou V.

The new family of coins consists of 5 coins featuring designs, themes and concepts that reflect Tonga’s history, culture, economy and heritage. These are reflected on the introduction of the Milolua on the 50 seniti, Kalia on the 20 seniti, the world’s rarest and smallest megapode Malau on the 10 seniti and the Heilala flower on the 5 seniti. The sizes of the coins are now thinner, smaller in size and lighter in weight. Launching of Tonga’s new coronation currency series is truly a historic event that marks the Kingdom’s first coinage reform in almost 50 years.

Features of Tonga's new coronation currency series

Denominations       Obverse                   Theme               Colour 

Banknotes            New                           New    
$100            King Tupou VI's image       Vava'u Harbour        Cherry red and white
$50              King Tupou VI's image       Royal Palace              Light green and yellow
$20              King Tupou VI's image       NRBT Building              Brown
$10              King Tupou VI's image       Royal Tomb                  Blue
$5               King Tupou VI's image        Ancient 'Otu Langi        Purple
$2              King Tupou VI's image        Whale Watching          Light Red

Coins              
$1         King George Tupou V's image    Coat of Arms               Gold
50¢       King Tupou VI's image               Milolua                         Silver
20¢       King Tupou VI's image               Kalia                            Silver
10¢       King Tupou VI's image               Malau                           Silver
5¢        King Tupou VI's image                Heilala                          Silver

If you need further clarifications, please contact:
National Reserve Bank of Tonga
Telephone: (676) 24057 | Fax: (676) 24201
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For media: Press Release in English