Banknotes & Features

A new family of currency was launched in 2015 to commemorate the Coronation of their Majesties, King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau'u Tuku'aho. The new banknotes features His Majesty King Tupou VI on the obverse side and various historical landmarks on the reverse.

These banknotes are currently in circulation.

$100 Pa'anga


Front Design: Features His Majesty King Tupou VI.
Back Design: The Vava’u Islands are one of the northern groups of Islands of Tonga. They are popular with tourists for sailing, watersports, whale watching, big game fishing and diving.

$50 Pa'anga


Front Design: Features His Majesty King Tupou VI.
Back Design: Located in the capital, Nuku'alofa, the Royal Palace was built in 1867, primarily made of wood and is the official residence of the King of Tonga. Although the palace is not open to the public, it is easy visible from the waterfront.

$20 Pa'anga


Front Design: Features His Majesty King Tupou VI.
Back Design: The National Reserve Bank of Tonga building appears on the back of the 20 Pa’anga. This building is located on Salote Road in Nuku’alofa. The foundation stone of the building was laid by King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV on 8th May 1993. The construction lasted around 15 months and His Majesty opened the new building on 21st April 1994.

$10 Pa'anga


Front Design: Features His Majesty King Tupou VI.
Back Design: On the back of the 10 Pa’anga there is a view of the Royal Tomb at Mala’ekula, in the centre of Nuku’alofa. Monarchs of the current dynasty are buried at Mala’ekula. It is an elaborate and modern burial monument in white stone.

$5 Pa'anga


Front Design: Features His Majesty King Tupou VI.
Back Design: The Ancient ‘Otu Langi are depicted on the back of the 5 Pa’anga. These are ancient royal burial tombs, normally in three or more tiered layers, are artificial hills surrounded by enormous slabs of coral rock.

$2 Pa'anga


Front Design: Features His Majesty King Tupou VI.
Back Design: The image on the back of the 2 Pa’anga illustrates a Humpback whale. Whale watching is a popular tourist activity around the Island of Tonga. The Humpback whales migrate each year from their feeding grounds in the Antarctic to the warm, sheltered waters of Vava’u to mate and calf.

Other Banknotes in Circulation


The 2008 Banknotes Series (featuring the Late King of Tonga, His Majesty King George Tupou V) are also in circulation, except the $1 Pa'anga Banknotes.

Security Features


The new banknotes also features state of the art security technologies that are hard to copy but easy to recognize.

Please ensure you familiarize yourselves with these security features, so that you are able to check your banknotes if you are not so sure about their appearances. To learn more about these features, please visit our Security Features page.

Resources


Download a copy of the official New Banknotes & Coins brochure.

pdfIconGet To Know Your New Banknotes & Coins Brochure | 1,165 KB