coins and more: April 2014

Tuesday, 29 April 2014

Did you know Series: (20) “Man of Steel” A Superman movie: A set of stamps brought out in 2013 by Jersey Post, the States of Jersey, commemorating a local lad Henry William Dalgliesh Cavill who played Superman in the movie:

Did you know Series: (20) “Man of Steel” A Superman movie:

A set of stamps brought out in 2013 by Jersey Post, the States of Jersey, commemorating a local lad Henry William Dalgliesh Cavill who played Superman in the movie:

A Brief:

Henry William Dalgliesh Cavill, the actor who has starred in the Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures Superman movie “Man of Steel”, has figured in a set of stamps brought out by Jersey Post, the States/Bailiwick of Jersey, which is a British Crown Dependency. The set of stamps includes a set of six stamps featuring Cavill in various actions in his role as Clark Kent/Superman in the movie.

Henry is a local lad from the Bailiwick of Jersey and has had his schooling at St. Michael’s Preparatory School in the Parish of St. Saviour, situated to the East of the Island. The School is known for its stress on sports which have in part contributed to Henry’s impressive physique.

The Movie: “Man of Steel”:

Henry has also starred in “Immortals” and the TV Series “The Tudors”.

“Man of Steel” also stars four times Oscar nominee Amy Adams (“The Master”) as the Daily Planet journalist Lois Lane and Oscar nominee Laurence Fishburne (“What’s Love got to do with it”) as Perry White, her Editor-in-chief.

Clark Kent’s adoptive parents Martha and Jonathan Kent have been acted by Oscar nominee Diane Lane (“Unfaithful”) and Academy Award winner Kevin Costner (Dances with Wolves) respectively.

The story revolves around a young boy discovering that he is not of this planet and possesses extraordinary powers. As a young man, he journeys to discover his origins and the purpose of his being sent to Earth. He must do battle to prevent the Earth from annihilation and become the symbol of hope for all mankind.

He battles his two archenemies who like himself are also survivors from the now destroyed planet of Krypton. They are General Zod, a villain played by Oscar nominee Michael Shannon (“Revolutionary Road”) and Faora, Zod’s evil partner played by Antje Traue (“The Seventh Son”).

From Superman’s native Krypton are his mother Lara Lor-Van, played by Ayelet Zurer (“Angels & Demons”) and Superman’s father Jor-El played by Academy Award winner Russel Crowe (“Gladiator”) among a star studded cast.

Other members of the cast are Christopher Meloni (“42”) as US military man Colonel Hardy, Harry Lennix (“State of Play”) as General Swanwick, Michael Kelly (“The Adjustment Bureau”) as Steve Lombard and Richard Schiff (TV’s “West Wing”) as Dr. Emil Hamilton.

The movie “Man of Steel” is produced by Charles Roven, Christopher Nolan, Emma Thomas & Deborah Snyder. The screenplay is by David S. Goyer. It has been directed by Zach Snyder who has been assisted by Director of photography, Amir Mokri (“Transformers : Dark of the Moon”).

The Production designer , Alex Mcdowell (“Watchmen”), Editor David Brenner (“Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides”) and multiple Academy award winning costume designer James Acheson (“Restoration”, the “Spider-Man” movies) and costume designer Michael Wilkinson (“The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Parts I & @”, “Watchmen” & “300”) have also been associated with the Movie.

The music is by Academy Award winning composer Hans Zimmer (“The Lion King”, “Inception”).

The movie was released from 14.06.2013 onwards in 3D and 2D in theatres & IMAX.

The Commemorative Stamps:

The stamps have been printed by Cartor Security Printing, France in four colour process offset lithography on PVA gum 110 gsm, except in one or two instances. These stamps have been created by True North for Jersey Post. The Superman stamps were created using a limited number of film images which were designed to build upon Superman’s superpowers into each stamp. Superman’s photographs portrayed on the stamps/miniature sheet etc. have been taken from DC Comics.

The above is an image of all the six stamps taken together showing Superman in various actions.

45 p stamp: This is the Smartsy APP Stamp which triggers an augmented reality application featuring additional material and film footage.

If one downloads the Smartsky APP from the APP Store and hovers the mobile device over the stamp, it triggers the APP.

55 p Self adhesive stamp: is of 207 gsm with transparent facing.

This transparent stamp shows Superman’s ability to fly.

60 p stamp:

This stamp has a flat simili silver foiling.

68 p stamp: is having thermochromic (heat sensitive) ink.

This is a heat-sensitive stamp. We saw this stamp change colour when we placed it in the Refrigerator under controlled observation.

Thermochromismis a property of substances to change colour due to a change in temperature. Examples of this property are mood rings or baby bottles (which change colour when cool enough to drink) or kettles which change colour when the water reaches boiling point.

80 p stamp: Thermographic powder containing Jersey granite (sourced from Beauport Bay – Henry Cavill’s favourite place in Jersey. This stamp shows Superman’s strength.

Thermographic printing refers to two types of printing both of which rely on heat to create the letters or images on a sheet of paper.

The simplest type is where the paper has been coated with a material that changes colour on heating. This is called “thermal printing”. Examples of this are older models of fax machines. A more complex process id called “thermal transfer” where the print melts off a ribbon and onto a paper. Thermographic powder is also used through a defined process to create a quality printing/filming and is also used on wedding invitations, letterhead, greeting cards, Braille text etc.to create embossed effects.

88 p stamp:

Glow in the dark ink has been used on this stamp. This glow in the dark ink feature reveals Superman’s Kryptonian father Jor-El. On the stamp is mentioned a guidance given to Superman by his father Jor-El: “You will give the people an ideal to strive towards. They will race behind you. They will stumble, they will fall. But in time, they will join you in the Sun. In time…… you will help them accomplish wonders”.

Luminous Paint or Luminescent Paint:

This paint gives off visible light through fluorescence, phosphorescence or radio luminescence.

Fluorescent paintsoffer a wide range of pigments and chroma which “glow” when exposed to the long-wave “ultra-light” frequencies, for example sunlight & some artificial lights.

Phosphorescent paints are, on the other hand called “glow in the dark” paint. This paint is made from phosphors such as “silver-activated zinc sulfide” or “doped strontium aluminate” and typically glows a pale-green to greenish-blue colour. The mechanism for producing light is similar to that of fluorescent paint, but the emission of visible light persists long after it has been exposed to light. Phosphorescent paints usually last upto 12 hours after exposure to light & fade over time. Examples are “stars” applied to walls and ceilings which give the effect of stars in a night sky.

(This paint technology has been used on this stamp).

Radioluminescence paints contain a radio-active isotope (radionuclide) combined with a radioluminiscent substance. The isotopes selected are typically strong emitters of fast electrons (beta radiation). Radioluminescent paints glow without exposure to light until the radioactive isotope (or the phosphor degrades) decays which could be for many years. These paints are referred to as self-luminous.

Miniature sheet: has lenticular print to create animated motion effect.

If one moves this miniature sheet from side to side, one gets an impression of Superman zooming by in Space.

Lenticular printing:

This is a technology in which lenticular lenses (a technology also used for 3D displays) are used to produce printed images with an illusion of depth or the ability to change or move as the image is viewed from different angles.

This technology was created in the 1940s but has evolved over recent time to show more motion and increased depth. Originally used mostly in novelty items and nicknamed “flicker pictures” or “wiggle pictures”, lenticular prints are now used as a marketing tool to show products in motion. Recent advances in large format presses have allowed for oversized lenses to be used in lithographic lenticular printing. A common example of lenticular flip & animation effects are modern advertising graphics that change their message depending on the viewing angle.

Stamp die sizes: 31.75 mm x 31.75 mm. Miniature sheet size: 110 mm x75 mm. Issue date 07.06.2013.

(The stamps/miniature sheet are from the collection of Jayant Biswas. Scans taken & article researched and written by Rajeev Prasad).

Links:

British Crown Dependencies:

1) Specimen Banknotes from the States of Jersey

2) Coinage and Currency from the States of Jersey

3) Currency & Coinage of the Bailiwick of Guernsey

4) Currency & Coinage of Gibraltar : An Overseas Territory of Great Britain

5) Coinage of Gibraltar: (A British Overseas Territory): An Uncirculated Decimal Coin Collection Set minted by the Tower Mint, UK in 2010

6) The Isle of Man: An Uncirculated Decimal Coin Collection Set minted by Pobjoy Mint, UK in 2015

7) The Centenary of the ill-fated Titanic (15.04.1912 - 15.04.2012): An Alderney Five Pound Coin Commemorating the Maritime Legend

8) "Man of Steel": A Superman Movie: A set of stamps brought out in 2013 by Jersey post, the States of Jersey, commemorating Henry William Dalgliesh Cavill who played Superman in the Movie

9) Coins & Currency of Bermuda

10) The Bailiwick of Jersey - Presently circulating coinage - Pounds and Pence

11) St. Helena & Ascension Islands: An Uncirculated Coin Set from 2003

12) The Legend of the "HMAV Bounty" is interwoven with the heritage of the Pitcairn Islands: An uncirculated coin set from Pitcairn Islands in 2009 depicting the icons/relics of the Bounty minted by the New Zealand Mint

Famous Battles:

1) Bicentenary of the Battle of Waterloo and Napoleon's Exile to St. Helena: (Part I): A One Crown Commemorative coin issued by the Ascension Island (minted by Pobjoy Mint UK)

2) Bicentenary of the Battle of Waterloo and Napoleon's Exile to st. Helena: (Part II) 1) A 5 GBP Coin issued by the Royal Mint UK. 2) A"Drie Landen Zilverset" ( ot the "Three Lands Silver set") containing coins issued by the Royal Dutch Mint including coins of Netherlands, Belgium and UK

3) Commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain by issuing a 50 Pence coin by the Royal Mint UK

Gold Coins:

1) Gold Sovereigns issued in 2013 & 2014 by MMTC-PAMP in India under licence from the Royal Mint, UK, carrying the "I" Mint Mark

2) Gold Half-Sovereigns minted by MMTC-PAMP in India in 2014 under licence from the Royal Mint UK bearing the "I" Mint Mark

Silver Coins:

1) A 20 Pound Silver coin minted for the first timr by the royal Mint UK: reverse design carries the famous St. George slaying the dragon design found on Gold Sovereigns

British India Coinage:

1) East India Company Quarter Anna Copper Coin which is one of the first issues under the Coinage Act 1835

2) Victoria Coinage: When she was Queen and afterwards Empress

3) Edward VII: King & Emperor Coinage

4) George V King Emperor Coinage

5) George VI: The last of the British India Emperors Coinage

Other British Royalty:

1) Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee Celebrations (1952-2012): A Five Pound Commemorative coin issued by the Royal Mint, UK

2) Commemorating Queen Elizabeth II's Coronation in 1953: A Five Pound Coin minted by the Royal Mint UK in 2013, depicting the Imperial State Crown

3) The Royal Coat of Arms of the UK: Great British 2012 Coin Set (Uncirculated) issued by the Royal Mint UK

4) Prince George's Christening Ceremony celebrated with coins issued by the Royal Mint UK in 2013

5) The British Empire: A Case of Numismatic "segregation": (Guest Post by Rahul Kumar)

6) 1) The Portrait Collection: Various Portraits of Queen Elizabeth II on Coinage 2) The Fourth & Final Circulating coinage of the Portrait designed by Ian Rank-Broadley and the First Edition of the portrait of the Queen made by Jody Clark

British Coinage:

1) The contribution of the Great British One-Pound coins in keeping alive the historical legends/emblems/heritage of the UK (1983 onwards)

2) Transformation of a Five shilling Coin (Crown) into the UK Twenty-five Pence & then the Five Pound Coin

3) Transformation of the Two Shilling Coin (Florin) Coin into the UK Ten Pence

4) The 350th Anniversary of the Guinea: A Two Pound Coin issued by the Royal Mint UK celebrating the milestone

Commemorative British Coinage:

1) Commemorating the Bicentenary of Charles Dickens: A Two pound coin celebrating his literary contributions during the Victorian Era

2) Commemorating 50 Years of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) - presently called the World Wide Fund for Nature by issue of a Fifty Pence coin by the Royal Mint, UK

3) Coins commemorating London Olympics & Paralympics (2012)

4) Commemorating 150 Years of the London Underground : Two pound Coins minted by the Royal Mint UK, showing the "Roundel" logo and a train emerging from a tunnel

5) Commemorating the 100th Birth anniversary of Christopher Ironside with his" Royal Arms" design on a 50 Pence coin issued by the Royal Mint, UK

6) 800th Anniversary of the Magna Carta - the Universal Guidepost to Liberty and Freedom

Inspirations from Scottish History:

1) The Legend of King Bruce & the Spider on Banknotes

Banknotes from Scotland:

1) Commemorating Sir William Arrol and his creation the Forth Rail Bridge by issues of Britain's first ever 5 Pound Polymer Banknote

Links to other Commemorative Stamps posts on Indian Stamps issued during 2016:

1) Special India Post Cover carried in a dedicated Hot Air Balloon flown during the II International Hot Air Balloon Festival held in Pollachi, Tamilnadu, released by Tamilnadu Circle of India Post

2) "Vibrant India": Postage Stamps issued by India Post on this theme

3) MAHAPEX held at Nasik from 16-18.01.16: (Part 1) Spl. Covers on Pandu Leni Caves and Smt. Kusum Dhirubhai Mehta released by Maharashtra Postal Circle on 16.01.2016

4) MAHAPEX held at Nashik from 16-18.01.2016: (Part 2) Spl.Covers on Kalaram temple and Nashik "Grape City & Wine Capital of India" released by Maharashtra Postal Circle on 17.01.2016

5) MAHAPEX held at Nashik from 16-18.01.16: (Part 3) Spl. Covers on "Nashik Dhol" and "Dr. Anand Gopalrao Joshi" released by Maharashtra postal Circle on 18.01.2016

6) International Fleet Review - 2016 (IFR - 16) held at Vishakhapatnam from 04.02.16 to 08.02.16: Commemorative Postage stamps issued by India Post

Links to other Commemorative Stamps posts on Indian Stamps issued during 2014 and 2015:

1) 2014 FIFA World Cup held in Brazil - A set of four stamps issued by India Post.

2) Commemorative Stamps on "Swachh Bharat" Mission

3) Commemorative Stamps on "Project Rukmini"

4) Commemorative Stamps on "Indian Ocean & Rajenda Chola I"

5) International Day of Yoga - "Commemorative Stamps & Coins"

6) India-France - 50 Years of Space Co-operation - Commemorative Stamps

7) Commemorative Stamps on 50 years (Golden Jubilee) of "Engineers India Limited"

8) Bicentenary of the "Old Theological Seminary" (OTS) Kottayam, Kerala

9) Commemorative stamps issued on Nabakalabera (Jagannath Temple, Puri)

10) Commemorative stamps issued on an Indian Game called "Sagol Kangjei" originated in Manipur, from which Polo was adapted all over the World

11) Samrat Ashok - Commemorative Stamps issued on the legendary Emperor of Ancient India

12) Women Empowerment - Commemorative Stamps

13) Baba Amte - Commemorative Stamps

14) Did You Know Series (4): A sample of the beautiful stamps brought out by Department of Posts, India

15) 10th World Hindi Conference held at Bhopal - Commemorative Stamps issued by Department of Posts India

16) 50th Anniversary of the 1965 Indo-Pak War: Commemorative stamps issued by Department of Posts, India.

17) Commemorating the 125th Anniversary of the Birth of Dr. B.R. Ambedker by Department of Posts, India with a stamp titled "Dr B.R. Ambedkar and the Indian Constitution"

18) The "Charkha" or the Spinning Wheel: Commemorative stamps issued by the Department of Posts, India

19) Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam - Commemorative Stamp issued by the Department of Posts, India

20) 50th Anniversary of the Border Security Force (BSF): Commemorative Stamp issued by the Department of Posts, India

21) 3rd India- Africa Forum Summit at New Delhi - Commemorative Stamps issued by Department of Posts, India

22) Commemorating the Golden Jubilee of Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL): Commemorative Stamps issued by India Post.

23) Commemorating the Bicentenary of the Raising Day of the First and Third Gorkha Rifles: Commemorative stamps issued by India Post.

24) India-Singapore Joint issue: 50 Years of Bilateral Relationship: Two Commemorative Stamps issued by India-Post.

25) Celebrating 60 years (Golden Jubilee) of EEPC India: Commemorative stamps issued by India Post.

26) Centenary of the setting up of the Zoological Survey of India: Commemorative stamps issued by India Post

27) Celebrating Children's Day on November 14th - Commemorative Stamps issued by India Post.

28) Musicians of India - Commemorating Classical Musicians of India by issue of Stamps by India Post.

29) Sumitranandan Pant (poet and writer) : Commemorative postage stamps issued on him by India Post

30) Golden Jubilee of the Establishment of the IDSA, New Delhi: Commemorative stamps issued by India Post

31) 100 Years of Return of Mahatma Gandhi to India in 1915: Commemorative postage stamps issued by India Post

32) Commemorating Alugumuthu Kone, one of the first Freedom Fighters against the British: Commemorative Stamps issued by India Post

List of Commemorative Stamps Posts on stamps issued in 2013:

1) Commemorative Postage stamps on the "Wild Flowers of India" issued by India Post.

2) 100 Years of Indian Cinema: 50 commemorative stamps issued by India Post.

List of Commemorative Stamps Posts on Stamps issued in 2011:

1) Commemorative Postage Stamp of Rs.100/- issued on Mahatma Gandhi on Khadi Cloth for the first time ever by India Post.

List of Commemorative Stamps Posts on Stamps issued in 2010:

1) Princely States of Indore, Sirmoor, Bamra and Cochin : Commemorative Stamps issued by India Post

List of Commemorative Stamps issued in 2007:

1) 2550 years of Mahaparinirvana of the Buddha: Commemorative stamps issued by India Post

Postage Stamps from Thailand depicting Buddhist Jataka Tales:

1) Thailand postage stamps commemorating Buddhist Jataka Tales & celebrating Magha Puja Day (Part I)

2) Thailand Post stamps commemorating Buddhist Jataka Tales & celebrating Asalha Puja Day (Part II)

3) Thailand Post stamps commemorating Buddhist Jataka Tales & celebrating Visakha Puja Day (Part III)

4) Postage stamps from Thailand commemorating Buddhist Jataka Tales

Forever Stamps from United States Postal Service (USPS):

1) Forever Stamps: A Series of Stamps commemorating the "US Civil War 1861-1865"

Postage Stamps from the Bailiwick of Jersey:

1) "Man of Steel": A Superman movie. Jersey post stamps commemorating a local lad Henry William Dalgliesh who played Superman in the Movie

Postage Stamps from Gibraltar:

1) 800th Anniversary of the Magna Carta - the Universal guidepost/landmark in Liberty and Freedom: A miniature stamp sheet issued by the Gibraltar Philatelic Bureau

Thursday, 24 April 2014

137) Currency & Coinage of Samoa: Tala (meaning “dollar”) and Sene (meaning “cent”):

137) Currency & Coinage of Samoa: Tala (meaning “dollar”) and Sene (meaning “cent”):

The Independent State of Samoa (or Malo Sa’oloto Tuto’atasi o Samoa” in Samoan) lies in the western part of the Samoan Islands in the South Pacific Ocean. The two main islands of Samoa are Upolu and Savai’i, making it one of the biggest islands in Polynesia. The capital city is Apia situated on the island of Upolu.

In 1772, the islands of Samoa were discovered by Jacob Roggeveen, a Dutch explorer. He was followed by French explorer Louis-Antoine de Bougainville who named the islands the “Navigator Islands” because of the Samoan’s seafaring skills. Soon after their discovery, Germany, Britain and the USA wanted to have a foothold on these islands.

The Tri-partite Convention of 1899 partitioned the Samoan Islands into two parts – the Eastern island group becoming a territory of the USA and came to be called “American Samoa”. The Western island group which was much larger in area became known as “German Samoa”, after Britain exchanged their claim on these islands for termination of Germany’s rights in Tonga, some areas in the Solomon Islands and West Africa. Thus, although the group of Samoan islands was ruled by an indigenous monarchy, Germany and the USA bulldozed the local ruler and partitioned the islands between themselves. Eastern Samoa still remains under US rule.

In 1914, at the commencement of World War I, German or Western Samoa was captured by New Zealand and New Zealand was granted a mandate under the League of Nations to rule this territory.

From 1914 to 1967, the pound was the currency of Western Samoa. It was subdivided into 20 shillings, each further sub-divided into 12 pence. Following the New Zealand occupation of German Samoa (or Western Samoa), the pound sterling replaced the German Mark as the currency of the territory. The circulating coinage originally was the United Kingdom coinage.

In 1915, the first provisional Banknotes issued by the New Zealand Occupying Military Force, which were in the nature of overprinted one pound and five pound Banknotes of the Bank of New Zealand were circulated.

In 1920, overprinted ten shillings Banknotes of the Bank of New Zealand were circulated.

In 1922, Treasury Notes in the denominations of 10 shillings, 1 and 5 pounds, issued “by the authority of New Zealand Government” were circulated. These Treasury Notes continued to be issued until 1961, when the bank of Western Samoa took over the control & supervision of paper money.

From 1934, the circulating coinage of Western Samoa became predominantly the New Zealand coinage.

In 1962, Western Samoa which remained under this mandate hithertobefore was granted independence.

In the same year, distinctive coins were introduced based on the “Tala” (a local variation of the word “dollar”) subdivided into 100 “Sene” (a local variation of the word “cent”). The obverse bore the profile of Malietoa Tanumafili II from the line of the erstwhile Samoan Kings. The reverses bore designs of various fruits found in Samoa.

Since 1969, Western Samoa has issued several commemorative coins, including the Queen’s silver jubilee, Commonwealth & Olympic Games and local legends such as Robert Louis Stevenson (popular as “Tusitala” or “the teller of tales”) and the German Governor Dr. Wilhelm Solff, as well as, a 2 cent coin commemorating the 21^st century with an FAO theme, among others.

Central Bank of Samoa:

The Central Bank of Samoa (or “Faletupe Tutotonu O Samoa”, in Samoan (meaning “Central Bank” or “Central Money House” of Samoa), is situated in Apia, the capital city of Samoa.

The Central Bank issues the Samoan currency, the “Samoan Tala”.

Before 1962, The Bank of New Zealand owned by the New Zealand Government issued Currency denominated in British Pounds, shillings and pence for circulation in Samoa.

After Samoa gained independence in 1962 from New Zealand, the currency was initially issued by the Bank of Western Samoa. Like the Bank of New Zealand, this was a commercial bank, partially owned by the Samoan Government and it carried out currency operations and foreign exchange policy on behalf of the Samoan Government.

In 1967, the Tala (meaning “dollar”) was introduced with each Tala being sub-divided into 100 Sene (meaning “cents”). Until this time, Samoa was using the pound, with coins coming from New Zealand and Samoa supervising its own Banknotes. Also, in the same year, New Zealand decimalized its currency. At this point, the Tala replaced the pound at an exchange rate of 2 Tala to 1 pound and was equal to the New Zealand dollar until 1975.

In 1974, the Government of Samoa transferred the supervision, circulation and issue of currency to a newly established Monetary Authority of Western Samoa through the Monetary Board of Western Samoa Act.

In 1984, The Central Bank of Samoa was established through the Central Bank of Samoa Act for the purpose of administering monetary policy functions and other powers exercised by the Monetary Authority of Samoa.

In 1996, the Financial Institutions Act added the licensing and supervision of financial institutions to the Central Bank’s role.

Till 1997, the symbol designated for the Tala was “WS$”, when the country’s previous name “Western Samoa” was changed to “Samoa”. Thus, after 1997, the symbols “SAT” (Samoan Tala), “ST” (Samoan Tala) and “T” (Tala) were used as well.

In 2000, The Central Bank’s role was expanded to include Money Laundering Prevention responsibilities.

The Central Bank’s key obligation is to meet the currency requirements of the public and it ensures that stocks of all Banknotes & coinage denominations are in adequate supply and of high quality to meet the transactional requirements of the users. No other person or entity is allowed to print or issue currency. Also, it is an offence to deface any Banknotes by writing, stamping or erasure that would change the features thereof. Defacing of Banknotes attracts a penalty/fine not exceeding $10.

The Central Bank of Samoa constantly develops/introduces new security features that are difficult to copy, but easy to use and promotes awareness among users to detect counterfeit currency, if any. Some of the security features used on currency notes are – Watermark portrait, Anti-folding technology, electrotype text and windowed Security Thread.

Counterfeiting coins is liable for imprisonment for upto 7 years and putting a counterfeit coin in circulation is punishable by a prison term of upto six months.

Banknotes of the Samoan “Tala” (dollar):

In 1967, Tala Banknotes were first issued, replacing the New Zealand pound as the official currency. These Banknotes were in the denomination of 1, 5 and 10 Tala and were issued by the Bank of Western Samoa.

In 1980, a 5 Tala denomination Banknote was added to the circulating currency.

From 1985, the newly constituted Central Bank of Samoa issued currency with the new issuer’s name in both Samoan & English. The 1 Tala Banknote was discontinued.

In 1990, new denominations of Banknotes of 50 and 100 Tala were issued.

In September 1991, a 2 Tala Banknote was issued to commemorate the golden jubilee of Malietoa Tanumafili II as Head of State. This was the first polymer Banknote issued by Samoa. These Banknotes were replaced by a $2 Tala coin issued under the 2011 new Series of Coins.

Series 2008 (present series):

In 2008, a new Series of Banknotes printed by De La Rue, the premier Security & currency Printing Organisation in the World, was introduced with brighter colours, new security features and modern designs. The denominations of 50 & 100 Tala Banknotes have De La Rue’s Optiks security thread which has a see-through window.

On the Front & Back of all these Banknotes is mentioned the issuers name “FALETUPE TUTOTONU O SAMOA” (in Samoan) and “Central Bank of Samoa” in English. On the Front is also mentioned “TUPE FA’ATAGAINA-MALO O SAMOA” (in Samoan), and “Legal Tender in Samoa” (in English).

The Front of the Five Tala ($ 5) Banknote features Samoa’s beautiful well-known sandy beaches, symbolic of the increasing importance of Samoa’s limited pristine beach resources leading to development of Samoa’s tourist industry – its main economic driver.

This Banknote is red and pink in colour and is made of polymer plastic. The size of this Banknote is 139 mm x 71 mm. It was first issued on 01.08.2008.

The Back of the Five Tala ($ 5) Banknote portrays the Villa Vailima, former residence of world renowned Scottish author, Robert Louis Stevenson in Mount Vaea, Samoa. He was known as “Tusitala”, (the “Teller of Tales”) to the people of Samoa.

The denomination of the Banknote is also mentioned in Samoan as “Lima Tala” (meaning “five Tala”) on both faces.

The Front of the Ten Tala ($ 10) Banknote shows, Samoa’s Rugby Sevens team’s triumphant victory by being crowned champions at the IRB Hong Kong Sevens in 2007.

This Banknote is light blue, green and multi-coloured in colour and is made of polymer plastic. The size of this Banknote is 139 mm x 71 mm. It was first issued on 01.08.2008.

The Back of the Ten Tala ($ 10) Banknote shows Samoan children on their way to school. They represent the future of Samoa.

The theme of this Banknote is Sports & Education in Independent Samoa.

The denomination of the Banknote is also mentioned in Samoan as “Sefulu Tala” (meaning “Ten Tala”) on both faces.

The Front of the Twenty Tala ($ 20) Banknote features a beautiful cascading waterfall, the 50 metres high Sopa’aga Waterfall, situated on La Lafa Pass Road, Upolu Island.

This Banknote is yellow, orange and multi-coloured in colour and is made of polymer plastic. The size of this Banknote is 139 mm x 71 mm. It was first issued on 01.08.2008.

The Back of the Twenty Tala ($ 20) Banknote shows Samoa’s National Bird, the “Manumea” (or Samoan pigeon – Didunculus strigirostris) & Samoa’s National flower, the “Teuila”.

The theme of this Banknote is diversity and beauty of Samoa’s natural environment and protecting them for future generations.

The denomination of the Banknote is also mentioned in Samoan as “Luasefulu Tala” (meaning “Twenty Tala”) on both faces.

The Front of the Fifty Tala ($ 50) Banknote features the Government complex at Matagialalua, in Apia, which is a symbol of the maturity of Samoa’s public administration and governance system.

Also mentioned on this Banknote is “50^th Anniversary of Independence”. To the right of the Government complex depiction can be seen De La Rue’s Optiks security thread which has a see-through window in the form of a transparent shield.

This Banknote is purple and multi-coloured in colour and is made of polymer plastic. The size of this Banknote is 139 mm x 71 mm. It was first issued on 01.08.2008.

The Back of the Fifty Tala ($ 50) Banknote shows the Central Bank of Samoa building in Apia.

The denomination of the Banknote is also mentioned in Samoan as “Lima Sefulu Tala” (meaning “Fifty Tala”) on both faces.

The Front of the Hundred Tala ($ 100) Banknote commemorates the life of late Malietoa Tanumafili II, the Head of State of Samoa from 1962-2007, whose kindness, humility and respect for Samoan customs and traditions were immense. He was a symbolic icon of Samoa’s social stability. On one side of the portrait one can see Malietoa Tanumafili II’s signature.

To his right can be seen De La Rue’s Optiks security thread which has a see-through window in the form of a transparent shield.

This Banknote is emerald green, yellow and multi-coloured in colour and is made of polymer plastic. The size of this Banknote is 139 mm x 71 mm. It was first issued on 01.08.2008.

The Back of the Hundred Tala ($ 100) Banknote depicts the historical Mulivai Catholic Cathedral, one of the oldest churches in the country.

The denomination of the Banknote is also mentioned in Samoan as “Selau Tala” (meaning “One Hundred Tala”) on both faces.

Coinage of Samoa:

Before 1967, New Zealand coins were in circulation in Western Samoa, circulating alongside locally printed Banknotes.

In 1967, four years after Independence, a new coin Series was circulated, replacing the New Zealand pound as the official currency. This Series included coins in the denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 Sene & $1 Tala. These coins had the same size as the coins of New Zealand. The 1 & 2 Sene coins were minted in bronze while the higher denominations were struck in cupro-nickel.

On the obverse, all these coins showed the portrait of the Head of state Malietoa Tanumafili and on the reverse, it featured the National Emblem of Samoa.

In 1974, a second coin Series (known as the 1974-2011 Series) was issued.

The theme of these coins was locally grown food plants, which were as under on the reverse:

One Sene coins depicted a coconut.

Two Sene coins depicted Cocoa pods.

Five Sene coins depicted a Pineapple.

Ten Sene coins depicted the Taro plant.

20 Sene coins depicted the Breadfruit.

50 Sene coins depicted a banana tree. (The edge was changed to alternating plain & reeded, to only reeded).

$1 Tala (1974) coins depicted a Palm tree.

Obverse of a redesigned seven-sided $1 Tala coin issued in 2002 showing the portrait of MalietoaTanumafili facing left.

Reverse of the above $1 coin showing the National Coat of Arms/Crest of Samoa.

$1 Tala (1984) coins depicted the National crest. (this was a seven-sided coin minted in Aluminium Bronze which replaced the one Tala Banknote).

The common Obverse in the remaining coin denominations also issued in 2002 showing the portrait of MalietoaTanumafili facing left.

Reverse of the 50 Sene coin depicted a banana tree.

Reverse of the 20 Sene coin depicted the Breadfruit.

Reverse of the 10 Sene coin depicted the Taro plant.

Reverse of the 5 Sene coin depicted a pineapple.

In 2011, a third coin Series (known as the 2011 Series) was circulated.

This Series only included 10, 20 and 50 Sene and 1 & 2 Tala coins. These coins were issued in reduced sizes and new shapes so as to reduce minting costs. The minting cost of the smaller denomination coins viz., 1, 2 and 5 Sene had become prohibitive and these coins were withdrawn from circulation because of very little usage.

This Series includes a new scalloped edge $2 Tala coin struck in bronze plated steel to replace the $2 Tala Banknotes.

The $ 1 Tala coin is also struck in bronze plated steel is reduced in size, but retains its seven-sided shape.

The smaller 5, 10, 20 and 50 Sene coins are struck in nickel plated steel.

On the obverse, this six coin Series depicts the portrait of Tui-Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi, the Head of State. The theme on the reverse of these coins represent the local history and culture of Samoa and feature Samoa’s most treasured symbols: