Wanted: Images of missing Oceania notes

As we prepare the first regional edition of The Banknote Book, we're making a renewed effort to obtain images of the following banknotes heretofore unillustrated. If you have any of the following notes in any condition, please share 300-dpi scans of same, or send links if you know where to find images online.

Cook Islands BNP101 (PCS1): 3, 10, and 20 dollars w/ matching s/n in booklet.
Fiji B306 (P30): 20 pounds 1914 - 1926.
French Oceania B305 (Tahiti P5): 20 francs 01.05.1920
French Oceania B601 (PNL): 25 centimes ND (1919)
French Oceania B602 (PNL): 50 centimes ND (1919)
French Oceania B603 (PNL): 1 franc ND (1919)
Gilbert and Ellice Islands B101 (P1): 1 shilling 01.01.1942
Gilbert and Ellice Islands B102 (P2): 10 shillings 01.01.1942
Keeling-Cocos Islands B103 (PS103): 1 rupee copper 03.10.1879
Keeling-Cocos Islands B108 (PS114): 2 rupees copper 24.07.1888 - 29.07.1888
Keeling-Cocos Islands B109 (PS115): 5 rupees copper 10.01.1888
Keeling-Cocos Islands B111 (PS117): 1/4 rupee 1897
Keeling-Cocos Islands B112 (PS118): 1/2 rupee 1897
Keeling-Cocos Islands B114 (PS120): 2 rupees 1897
Keeling-Cocos Islands B115 (PS121): 3 rupees 1897
Netherlands New Guinea B207 (P17): 500 gulden 08.12.1954
New Caledonia B203 (P9): 500 francs 1875
New Caledonia B204 (PNL): 5 francs 1875
New Caledonia B207 (PNL): 500 francs 187_
New Caledonia B304 (P14): 20 francs 03.03.1902
Papua New Guinea B154 (PNL): 2 kina
Tonga B108 (P8): 5 pounds 19.05.1939

Tonga new signature 20-pa'anga note (B216b) confirmed

Tonga_NRBT_20_paanga_2015.00.00_B16b_P41_C_089413_f
Tonga_NRBT_20_paanga_2015.00.00_B16b_P41_C_089413_r
B216b: Like B216, but new signatures. Prefix B, C.

Courtesy of Alberto Fochi.



Tonga new note family confirmed

On 29 June 2015, the National Reserve Bank of Tonga introduced an upgraded family of six banknotes all printed by De La Rue. The new notes feature the portrait of the new king, Tupou VI. The notes will be issued in the coming months to commemorate the king's coronation to be held 4 July 2015. Sets with matched serial numbers will be issued in a folder as a numismatic product.

Tonga_NRBT_2_paanga_2015.06.29_B219a_PNL_A_044401_f
Tonga_NRBT_2_paanga_2015.06.29_B219a_PNL_A_044401_r
B219 (PNL): 2 pa’anga (US$1)
Light red. Front: King Tupou VI; coat of arms. Back: Whale leaping out of water; medallion. 1.4-mm windowed security thread with demetalized NRBT. Watermark: King Tupou VI, electrotype NRBT, and Cornerstones. Printer: (TDLR). 150 x 70 mm.
a. No date. Signature 8. Prefix A. Intro: 29.06.2015.

Tonga_NRBT_5_paanga_2015.06.29_B220a_PNL_A_026398_f
Tonga_NRBT_5_paanga_2015.06.29_B220a_PNL_A_026398_r
B220 (PNL): 5 pa’anga (US$2.50)
Purple. Front: King Tupou VI; coat of arms. Back: Langi; medallion. 1.4-mm windowed security thread with demetalized NRBT. Watermark: King Tupou VI, electrotype NRBT, and Cornerstones. Printer: (TDLR). 150 x 70 mm.
a. No date. Signature 8. Prefix A. Intro: 29.06.2015.

Tonga_NRBT_10_paanga_2015.06.29_B221a_PNL_A_025436_f
Tonga_NRBT_10_paanga_2015.06.29_B221a_PNL_A_025436_r
B221 (PNL): 10 pa’anga (US$5.05)
Blue. Front: King Tupou VI; coat of arms. Back: Royal tomb; medallion. 2.0-mm red-to-green windowed security thread with demetalized NRBT. Watermark: King Tupou VI, electrotype NRBT, and Cornerstones. Printer: (TDLR). 150 x 70 mm.
a. No date. Signature 8. Prefix A. Intro: 29.06.2015.

Tonga_NRBT_20_paanga_2015.06.29_B222a_PNL_A_025600_f
Tonga_NRBT_20_paanga_2015.06.29_B222a_PNL_A_025600_r
B222 (PNL): 20 pa’anga (US$10)
Brown. Front: King Tupou VI; coat of arms. Back: NRBT building; medallion. 2.0-mm red-to-green windowed security thread with demetalized NRBT. Watermark: King Tupou VI, electrotype NRBT, and Cornerstones. Printer: (TDLR). 150 x 70 mm.
a. No date. Signature 8. Prefix A. Intro: 29.06.2015.

Tonga_NRBT_50_paanga_2015.06.29_B223a_PNL_A_042558_f
Tonga_NRBT_50_paanga_2015.06.29_B223a_PNL_A_042558_r
B223 (PNL): 50 pa’anga (US$25)
Light green and yellow. Front: King Tupou VI; coat of arms. Back: Royal Palace building; medallion. Optiks security thread. Watermark: King Tupou VI, electrotype NRBT, and Cornerstones. Printer: (TDLR). 150 x 70 mm.
a. No date. Signature 8. Prefix A. Intro: 29.06.2015.

Tonga_NRBT_100_paanga_2015.06.29_B224a_PNL_A_021871_f
Tonga_NRBT_100_paanga_2015.06.29_B224a_PNL_A_021871_r
B224 (PNL): 100 pa’anga (US$50)
Cherry red and white. Front: King Tupou VI; coat of arms. Back: Vava’u Harbor; medallion. Optiks security thread. Watermark: King Tupou VI, electrotype NRBT, and Cornerstones. Printer: (TDLR). 150 x 70 mm.
a. No date. Signature 8. Prefix A. Intro: 29.06.2015.

Courtesy of Hartmut Fraunhoffer (Banknote-Online).


Tonga new note family introduced 29.06.2015

Tonga_NRBT_2_paanga_2015.06.29_BNP_PNL_folder_1
Tonga_NRBT_2_paanga_2015.06.29_BNP_PNL_folder_2
Tonga_NRBT_2_paanga_2015.06.29_BNL_PNL_James_Pickering
James Pickering of e-worldbanknotes.com standing beside new Tongan notes and coins.

On 29 June 2015, the National Reserve Bank of Tonga introduced an upgraded family of six banknotes all printed by De La Rue. The new notes feature the portrait of the new king, Tupou VI. The notes will be issued in the coming months to commemorate the king's coronation to be held 4 July 2015. Sets with matched serial numbers will be issued in a folder as a numismatic product.

Courtesy of James Pickering (e-worldbanknotes.com) and Cleo Phas.

Tonga chapter of The Banknote Book is now available


The Tonga chapter of The Banknote Book is now available for individual sale and as a free download to subscribers.

This 23-page catalog covers notes issued by the Government of Tonga from 1921 to 1989, and the National Reserve Bank of Tonga from 1989 to present. Revised 3 Mayl 2016.

Each chapter of The Banknote Book includes detailed descriptions and background information, full-color images, and accurate valuations. The Banknote Book also features:
  • Sharp color images of note’s front and back without overlap
  • Face value or date of demonetization if no longer legal tender
  • Specific identification of all vignette elements
  • Security features described in full
  • Printer imprint reproduced exactly as on note
  • Each date/signature variety assigned an individual letter
  • Variety checkboxes for tracking your collection and want list
  • Date reproduced exactly as on note
  • Precise date of introduction noted when known
  • Replacement note information
  • Signature tables, often with names and terms of service
  • Background information for historical and cultural context
  • Details magnified to distinguish between note varieties
  • Bibliographic sources listed for further research

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Tonga new signature 5-pa'anga note confirmed

Tonga_NRBT_5_paanga_2009.01.21_B14b_P39_A_748009_sig
5 pa'anga, no date. Like NRBT B14a, but new signatures (Siale ‘Ataongo Kaho, Lord Tu’ivakano and Lisiate ‘Aloveita ‘Akolo).

Courtesy of Claudio Marana.

Tonga new date (05.07.1985) 20-pa'anga note confirmed


20 pa’anga (US$10.15), 5th July, 1985. Like Pike 23, but new date.

Courtesy of TDS.

Tonga issues new $2-50 notes 21 January 2009

On 21 January 2009, the National Reserve Bank of Tonga issued newly designed banknotes in the denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 pa’anga. The new notes replace the image of King Taufa’ahau Tupou V with that of the reigning King George Tupou V. The watermark is of King Tupou V with electrotype NRBT. On the $1-$5 notes, the 1.4-mm wide windowed security thread is demetalized NRBT. Larger denominations have a 2.0-mm wide red-to-green thread with demetalized NRBT. Older notes will remain legal tender, but will be phased out over time.


1 pa’anga (US$0.50)
Green. Front: King George Tupou V. Back: Whale leaping out of water. 1.4-mm windowed security thread with demetalized NRBT. Watermark: King Tupou, electrotype NRBT, and Cornerstones. Printer: (TDLR). 150 x 70 mm.


2 pa’anga (US$1)
Light red. Front: King George Tupou V. Back: Children studying outside school building; two men playing rugby. 1.4-mm windowed security thread with demetalized NRBT. Watermark: King Tupou, electrotype NRBT, and Cornerstones. Printer: (TDLR). 150 x 70 mm.


5 pa’anga (US$2.40)
Purple. Front: King George Tupou V. Back: Langi. 1.4-mm windowed security thread with demetalized NRBT. Watermark: King Tupou, electrotype NRBT, and Cornerstones. Printer: (TDLR). 150 x 70 mm.


10 pa’anga (US$4.85)
Blue. Front: King George Tupou V. Back: Royal tomb. 2.0-mm red-to-green windowed security thread with demetalized NRBT. Watermark: King Tupou, electrotype NRBT, and Cornerstones. Printer: (TDLR). 150 x 70 mm.


20 pa’anga (US$9.70)
Brown. Front: King George Tupou V. Back: NRBT building. 2.0-mm red-to-green windowed security thread with demetalized NRBT. Watermark: King Tupou, electrotype NRBT, and Cornerstones. Printer: (TDLR). 150 x 70 mm.


50 pa’anga (US$24.30
Light green and yellow. Front: King George Tupou V. Back: Royal Palace building. 2.0-mm red-to-green windowed security thread with demetalized NRBT. Watermark: King Tupou, electrotype NRBT, and Cornerstones. Printer: (TDLR). 150 x 70 mm.

Courtesy of Thomas Augustsson, Cleophas Elmakias Schockemohle, and Sejin Ahn.

Tonga issues new 100-pa’anga note

The National Reserve Bank of Tonga issued a new 100-pa’anga banknote on July 30, 2008. The bank intends to issue newly designed banknotes in the denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 pa’anga in early 2009. Older notes will remain legal tender, but will be phased out over time.



100 pa’anga (US$55.10)
Cherry red and white. Front: King George Tupou V. Back: Vava’u Harbor. Optiks security thread. Watermark: King Tupou with electrotype NRBT. Printer: De La Rue (w/o imprint). 150 x 70 mm. No date. Signatures: Dr. Feleti Vaka’uta Sevele, PALEMIA O TONGA; ‘Otenifi Afu’alo Matoto, MINISITA PA’ANGA. Introduced 30.07.2008.

Courtesy of Mirsad Delic.