On Monday the 29th June, the National Reserve Bank of Tonga issued a new series of banknotes and coins.
The new currency designs replace the portrait of the late King George Tupou V with his successor and brother, King Tupou VI. The new coronation currency replaces all coins and banknotes with up to date security features.
The new series consists of the following:
Banknotes: $100, $50, $20, $10, $5, $2
Coins: $1, 50¢, 20¢, 10¢, 5¢
The new coins are smaller and thinner in weight compared to the previously issued coins.
The new banknotes have been printed by UK banknote printers De La Rue and include their anti-counterfeit technology Optiks™, a wide security thread, in the top 2 banknote denominations. The lower denomination notes include De La Rue’s StarChrome® colour changing security thread, increasing the note’s thread width from 2mm to 3mm to add strength to the note compared to the last note series. The Bank also advises that the banknote designs now use a darker colour to help slow down the effects of soiling.
“Our relationship with Tonga dates back to 1921 and we are therefore honoured to have continued to work with this valued customer on this upgraded family of banknotes”. Ruth Euling, De La Rue’s Global Sales Account Director
The new currency series no longer includes the T$1 banknote or the 1¢, 2¢ coins.
Read De La Rue’s press release here.
Read the National Reserve Bank of Tonga’s statement here.
