Tonga new note family (B212a – B217a) confirmed

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 IV 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.

B212 (P37): 1 pa’anga (withdrawn 30.09.2015)

Green. Front: English and Tongan text; King George Tupou V; coat of arms. Back: English and Tongan text; whale leaping out of water; medallion. 1.4-mm windowed security thread with demetalized NRBT. Watermark: King George Tupou V, electrotype NRBT, and Cornerstones. Printer: (De La Rue). 150 x 70 mm. Paper. 

a. No date. Sig. 6. Prefix A. Intro: 21.01.2009.

B213 (P38): 2 pa’anga (US$1)

Light red. Front: English and Tongan text; King George Tupou V; coat of arms. Back: English and Tongan text; children studying outside school building; two men playing rugby; medallion. 1.4-mm windowed security thread with demetalized NRBT. Watermark: King George Tupou V, electrotype NRBT, and Cornerstones. Printer: (De La Rue). 150 x 70 mm. Paper. 

a. No date. Sig. 6. Prefix A.Intro: 21.01.2009. 

B214 (P39): 5 pa’anga (US$2.50)

Purple. Front: English and Tongan text; King George Tupou V; coat of arms. Back: English and Tongan text; Langi; medallion. 1.4-mm windowed security thread with demetalized NRBT. Watermark: King George Tupou V, electrotype NRBT, and Cornerstones. Printer: (De La Rue). 150 x 70 mm. Paper. 

a. No date. Sig. 6. Prefix A. Intro: 21.01.2009. 

B215 (P40): 10 pa’anga (US$5.05)

Blue. Front: English and Tongan text; King George Tupou V; coat of arms. Back: English and Tongan text; royal tomb; medallion. 2.0-mm red-to-green windowed security thread with demetalized NRBT. Watermark: King George Tupou V, electrotype NRBT, and Cornerstones. Printer: (De La Rue). 150 x 70 mm. Paper. 

a. No date. Sig. 6. Prefix A. Intro: 21.01.2009. 

B216 (P41): 20 pa’anga (US$10)

Brown. Front: English and Tongan text; King George Tupou V; coat of arms. Back: English and Tongan text; NRBT building; medallion. 2.0-mm red-to-green windowed security thread with demetalized NRBT. Watermark: King George Tupou V, electrotype NRBT, and Cornerstones. Printer: (De La Rue). 150 x 70 mm. Paper. 

a. No date. Sig. 6. Prefix A, B. Intro: 21.01.2009.

B217 (P42): 50 pa’anga (US$25)

Light green and yellow. Front: English and Tongan text; King George Tupou V; coat of arms. Back: English and Tongan text; Royal Palace building; medallion. 2.0-mm red-to-green windowed security thread with demetalized NRBT. Watermark: King George Tupou V, electrotype NRBT, and Cornerstones. Printer: (De La Rue). 150 x 70 mm. Paper. 

a. No date. Sig. 6. Prefix A. Intro: 21.01.2009.

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