50 Pa’anga Counterfeit Notes

The National Reserve Bank of Tonga has received eleven $50 pa'anga notes of the new design currency (King Tupou VI series) confirmed to be counterfeit notes. The Reserve Bank is concerned that there could be more of such $50 counterfeit notes in circulation.

These counterfeit notes lack the following security features present in every genuine $50 pa’anga note:

1. the watermark of the King’s effigy which can be clearly seen when it is held up to the light;
2. a shiny silver security thread shows as a window on the front of the note but as a more solid silver on the back of the note, showing images of the national medal.

The public is hereby advised to check all banknotes particularly the $50 new design banknote before accepting them. Counterfeit notes carry zero value and will not be accepted by the Commercial Banks or the National Reserve Bank of Tonga.

Don’t be a victim of counterfeiting. Make sure you are familiar with the security features of a genuine banknote. Do not accept a counterfeit note.

Any counterfeit note found should be immediately forwarded to the Police for investigation. The act of counterfeiting or being in possession of counterfeit notes is a serious offence and anyone caught will be prosecuted. Makers and distributors of counterfeits are breaking Section 59 and 61 of the Criminal Offences Act CAP 18 and Section 29 of the NRBT Amendment Act (2014).


For further details, please contact:

National Reserve Bank of Tonga
Telephone: (676) 24057 | Fax: (676) 24201
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Download a copy of the official notice in English

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