The 2023 Series included the introduction of Tonga's first polymer banknotes on the $5 and $10. Polymer is a more durable substrate and will ensure these banknotes last longer than the previous paper versions.
The 2 Pa'anga Banknote
Size: 150mm x 70mm
What is featured on this 2 pa'anga banknote
The front of the 2 Pa'anga banknote from the 2023 Series has a portrait of His Majesty King Tupou VI. His Majesty is the current monarch.
The banknote also incorporates on the obverse side the Tokelau Feletoa kupesi, the Coat of Arms, and the Royal Medal. Each element showcases our Tongan identity.
Illustrated on the back of this banknote is a Humpback Whale representing one of the popular tourist activities around the islands of Tonga; Whale Watching. 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.
The 5 Pa'anga Banknote
Size: 150mm x 70mm
What is featured on this 5 pa'anga banknote
The front of the 5 Pa'anga banknote from the 2023 Series has a portrait of His Majesty King Tupou VI. His Majesty is the current monarch.
The banknote also incorporates the Tokelau Feletoa kupesi, the Coat of Arms, and the Royal Medal on the obverse side. Each element showcases our Tongan identity.
Illustrated on the back of this banknote is the Ha'amonga 'a Maui Trilithon representing one of the popular tourist sites around the islands of Tonga. It is believed that the monument was built in the 13th century by King Tuʻitātui, the eleventh Tu'i Tonga, as an entrance to his royal compound, Heketā. It wasn't until 1967, that His late Majesty King Taufa'āhau Tupou VI believed that the Ha'amonga had an astronomical significance, telling the position of sunrise at solstices and equinoxes. This theory is supported by the V-shaped mark on top of the lintel that aligns with the sun's rising during the solstices and equinoxes.
The 10 Pa'anga Banknote
Size: 150mm x 70mm
What is featured on this 10 pa'anga banknote
The front of the 10 Pa'anga banknote from the 2023 Series has a portrait of His Majesty King Tupou VI. His Majesty is the current monarch.
The banknote also incorporates the Tokelau Feletoa kupesi, the Coat of Arms, and the Royal Medal on the obverse side. Each element showcases our Tongan identity.
Her Royal Highness Princess Angelika Latufuipeka Tuku'aho is illustrated on the back of this banknote, performing the Milolua. Her Royal Highness is the sole daughter of His Majesty King Tupou VI. The milolua is a ceremonial kava-making dance performed during the royal kava ceremony or the taumafa kava. The milolua is only performed by the daughter of nobility.
The 20 Pa'anga Banknote
Size: 150mm x 70mm
What is featured on this 20 pa'anga banknote
The front of the 20 Pa'anga banknote from the 2023 Series has a portrait of His Majesty King Tupou VI. His Majesty is the current monarch.
The banknote also incorporates the Tokelau Feletoa kupesi, the Coat of Arms, and the Royal Medal on the obverse side. Each element showcases our Tongan identity.
The National Reserve Bank of Tonga building appears on the back of the 20 Pa’anga. This building is located on Sālote Road in Nuku’alofa. The foundation stone of the building was laid by King Taufa’āhau Tupou IV on 8th May 1993. The construction lasted around 15 months and His Majesty opened the new building on 21st April 1994.
The 50 Pa'anga Banknote
Size: 150mm x 70mm
What is featured on this 50 pa'anga banknote
The front of the 50 Pa'anga banknote from the 2023 Series has a portrait of His Majesty King Tupou VI. His Majesty is the current monarch.
The banknote also incorporates the Tokelau Feletoa kupesi, the Coat of Arms, and the Royal Medal on the obverse side. Each element showcases our Tongan identity.
On the reverse side of the 50 Pa'anga banknote shows the St. George Government building, capturing the stability of good Governance. Built in 2015 and opened in 2017, the building houses the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other government ministries.
The 100 Pa'anga Banknote
Size: 150mm x 70mm
What is featured on this 100 pa'anga banknote
The front of the 100 Pa'anga banknote from the 2023 Series has a portrait of His Majesty King Tupou VI. His Majesty is the current monarch.
The banknote also incorporates the Tokelau Feletoa kupesi, the Coat of Arms, and the Royal Medal on the obverse side. Each element showcases our Tongan identity.
You can also observe the Heilala (Garcinia sessilis), which is considered Tonga's national flower. It is associated with royalty and has a special status in Tongan culture.
The Royal Palace is featured on the back of the 100 Pa'anga banknote in the 2023 Series. The palace was built in 1867, and is the official residence of the King of Tonga. The palace has undergone many renovations over the years, but it still maintains its original wooden material. The palace is not open to the public, except on special occasions.
