Samoa 2 Tala

Description

The tālā peso is the official currency of Samoa. The official currency symbol: $. The currency’s name is the equivalent of dollar and cent in the Samoan language. Following the country’s political independence from New Zealand in 1962, the tālā was established in 1967. Samoa had previously used the pound alongside New Zealand coins and its own banknotes. After the country changed its official name to Samoa, removing the word “Western” in 1997, the symbol WS $ is still used for tālā, given the reference to the old name ‘Western Samoa’. In addition, the currency uses the symbols SAT, ST and T are also in use.

The first coins were introduced in 1967, in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 sene and 1 tälä. New and redesigned coins series was introduced in 1974. However, the 1 sene, 2 sene, and 5 sene coins were withdrawn from circulation in 2011 because production costs outweighed production, and their use in circulation had decreased dramatically over time. As a result of production costs and a more modern, streamlined Samoa, a new coin series was introduced with smaller sizes and different forms. Today, the Central Bank of Samoa is in charge of issuing and regulating the Samoan currency.

The 2 Samoan tālā coin front design features the portrait of Tui Ātua Tupua Tamasese Tupuola Tufuga, who is a Samoan political leader and as holder of the maximal lineage Tama-a-‘āiga title of Tupua Tamasese, is one of the four paramount chiefs of Samoa. He also holds the royal pāpā title of Tui Atua; the name of the country, and the issue date. The reverse of the coin presents the denomination and the National Coat of Arms. This coin is part of the 2011 series; its rim is plain, and its color is gold.

Text: TUI ATUA TUPUA TAMASESE EFI SAMOA 2011 FA’AVAE I LE ATUA SAMOA TWO TALA