Counterfeit Banknotes
- Details
- Category: Public Notice
- Created: 04 October 2022
- Last Updated: 05 October 2022
The National Reserve Bank of Tonga urges members of the public to be extra cautious when receiving Tongan pa’anga in light of the recent discoveries of counterfeit banknotes in $20, $50 and $100 denomination. These counterfeit banknotes are usually of poor quality and can be spotted quite easily if people take the time for a quick examination. The Reserve Bank is concerned that there could be more of these counterfeit notes in circulation.
What to look for on a genuine $20, $50 & $100 Pa’anga: –
| Security Feature | Method of Inspection |
| Watermark | Present on ALL banknote denominations. When you hold the banknote up to the light, you will see the watermark portrait of His Majesty King Tupou VI together with a lighter area reading “NRBT” |
| Security Thread |
Present on $20 pa’anga banknote ONLY. A shiny thread appears at intervals on the surface of the banknote and change color green to red when the banknote is tilted. When the banknote is held up to the light, you will see that the text “NRBT” appear in the thread. Present on $50 and $100 pa’anga banknote ONLY. A shiny thread shows as a window on the obverse side of the banknote but as a more solid silver on the reverse side of the banknote, showing the national medal. When the $50 and $100 pa’anga banknote are held up to the light, there is a much wider silver thread that shows as a solid line together with images of the national medal. There is also a clear window visible in the center of these banknotes. |
Any suspected counterfeit note should be immediately handed to the Police for further investigation. The act of counterfeiting, passing on or being in possession of counterfeit notes is a serious offence and anyone caught will be prosecuted.
The public is hereby advised to check all banknotes particularly the 20, 50 & 100 Pa’anga note before accepting them. Counterfeit notes carry zero value and will not be accepted by the Commercial Banks or the National Reserve Bank of Tonga.
Enquiries
Currency Department
National Reserve Bank of Tonga
Fasi mo e Afi
NUKU'ALOFA
Telephone: (676) 24057
Fax: (676) 24201
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Resources
Press Release in English 88 KB | Press Release in Tongan 138 KB Download a copy of the full press release. |
