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Guardian and hybrid bank notes

 
 
Papua New Guinea
 
              

              

              

 

 

Country overview

 

 

Independent State of Papua New Guinea

Capital Port Moresby
Population (millions) 5.5
Area (sq km) 462,840
GDP per capita (USD PPP) 2,300

 

 

Polymer overview

 

 

Country ranking 4th (polymer)
6th (polymer - all)
10th (hybrid)
All varieties 50
Year of the first polymer issue 1991 (polymer)
2008 (hybrid)
Proof 5
Number of polymer issues 11 (polymer)
1 (hybrid)
Specimen 11
Current status Polymer, hybrid and paper Regular 34
New polymer issues expected? Yes Replacement 0

 

 

General information

 

 

 

As of 17.04.08, Papua New Guinea is the 6th country in the world to fully convert to polymer notes.

 

The first family of notes (from S1 to S4) features a simple clear window. The second family of notes (from S5 to S11) features several complex clear windows.

 

 

 

 

Bank of Papua New Guinea

 

 

 

 

Note that Tarata's signature as Governor is somewhat different from Tarata's signature as Secretary. From 31.07.93 to 15.09.94 Sir Mekere Morauta was Governor and in 1998 Volupindi was Governor for a brief time, but they did not sign any polymer bank notes.

 

Governor Secretary
Department of Finance

Sir Henry ToRobert
(1973 to 1993)

Morea Vele

Koiari Tarata
(15.09.94 to 08.04.98)

Gerea Aopi

Koiari Tarata
(15.09.94 to 08.04.98)

Rupa Mulina

Morea Vele
(1998 to 1999)

Brown Bai

Leonard Wilson Kamit
(1999 to December 2009)

Koiari Tarata

Leonard Wilson Kamit
(1999 to December 2009)

Simon Tosali
Loi Martin Bakani
(09.12.09 to date)

Simon Tosali
 

 

 

 

Security features on all bank notes

By BPNG.

 

The challenges for bank notes in Papua New Guinea

By David Lakatani, BPNG (2005).

 

The polymer experience in Papua New Guinea

By Leonard Wilson Kamit, BPNG.

 

  

Bank notes for sale (additional offers)

 

 

Basic varieties of bank notes can be purchased further down this page from the bank notes' tables.

 

This table shows additional offers:

 

PIC REF. DESCRIPTION PRICE BUY
S1P1 2 Kina. Proof. PNG 20 logo. Serial number
AAA 000000. Signed by Tarata-Aopi. Single note.
€140.00
S1R1 2 Kina. SPG 9 logo. Signed by ToRobert-Vele.
First prefix SPG 9 00. [P12]
€5.00
S1R1 2 Kina. SPG 9 logo. Signed by ToRobert-Vele.
Error: greenish serial number. [P12]
€5.50
S1R1 2 Kina. SPG 9 logo. Signed by ToRobert-Vele.
Uncut sheet of 35 notes. [P12]
€157.50
S1R2 2 Kina. PNG 20 logo. Signed by Tarata-Aopi.
First prefix AAA. [P15]
€8.50
S1R6 2 Kina. PNG 25 logo. Signed by Kamit-Tarata.
First prefix AA. [P21]
€11.50
S1R7 2 Kina. No logo. Signed by Kamit-Tarata.
First prefix AA. [P16d]
€6.50
S2P1 P26. 10 Kina. Proof. 3-letter prefix. Serial number
PNG 000000. Signed by Kamit-Tarata. Single note.
€149.00
S3R1 P27. 20 Kina. BPNG 30 logo. Signed by Kamit-Tarata.
First prefix LK 01. [P27]
€18.50
S3R2 20 Kina. Signed by Kamit-Tosali.
First prefix BP 01.
€20.50
S3R2 20 Kina. Signed by Kamit-Tosali.
Low serial number BP 01 000 225.
€27.00
S3R2 20 Kina. Signed by Kamit-Tosali. Low serial
number BP 01 000 036 (from the first bundle).
€95.00
S4P1 P18a. 50 Kina. Proof. Serial number MV 99 000 000.
Signed by Vele-Bai. Single note.
€125.00
S5R1 2 Kina. 2007. Signed by Kamit-Tosali.
First prefix AA 07. [P28]
€3.50
S5R1 2 Kina. 2007. Signed by Kamit-Tosali.
Low serial number AA 07 000 861. [P28]
€11.00
S5R1 2 Kina. 2007. Signed by Kamit-Tosali.
Low serial number AA 07 000 055 (from the first bundle). [P28]
€80.00
S6R1 5 Kina. Signed by Kamit-Tosali.
First prefix AA 08. [P29]
€6.50
S6R1 5 Kina. Signed by Kamit-Tosali.
Low serial number AA 08 000 711. [P29]
€16.00
S6R1 5 Kina. Signed by Kamit-Tosali.
Low serial number AA 08 000 055 (from the first bundle). [P29]
€85.00
S7R1 10 Kina. Signed by Kamit-Tosali.
Low serial number AA 08 000 711. [P30]
€20.00
S7R1 10 Kina. Signed by Kamit-Tosali.
Low serial number AA 08 000 055 (from the first bundle). [P30]
€90.00
S8R1 20 Kina. Signed by Kamit-Tosali.
First prefix AA 07. [P31]
€18.00
S8R1 20 Kina. Signed by Kamit-Tosali.
Low serial number AA 07 000 935. [P31]
€24.00
S8R1 20 Kina. Signed by Kamit-Tosali.
Low serial number AA 07 000 055 (from the first bundle). [P31]
€95.00
S10R1 100 Kina. 2005. Signed by Kamit-Tosali.
First prefix AA 05. [P33]
€65.00
S10R1 100 Kina. 2005. Signed by Kamit-Tosali.
Low serial number AA 05 000 035 (from the first bundle). [P33]
€112.00
 

 

Bank notes

.

COUNTRY REF. CURRENCY DENOMINATION SIZE PICK PRINTER POLYMER
Papua New Guinea S1 Kina 2 140x70 P12, P15, P16, P21 NPA* Guardianฎ

REF. DATE SIGNATORY DESCRIPTION PRICE PICS
S1P1 none Tarata-Aopi PROOF; commemorative logo (20th anniversary of PNG); serial number PNG 20 AAA 000000; uncut sheets of 35 notes only no data F  B
S1P2 none Tarata-Aopi PROOF; no logo; serial number AAA 000000; uncut sheets of 35 notes only no data F  B
S1S1 1991 ToRobert-Vele SPECIMEN; commemorative logo (9th South Pacific Games); serial number SPG 9 000000 not given F  B
S1S2 none Tarata-Aopi SPECIMEN; commemorative logo (20th anniversary of PNG); serial number PNG 20 AAA 000000 not given F  B
S1R1 1991 ToRobert-Vele commemorative logo (9th South Pacific Games) [P12] €4.00
F  B
S1R2 none Tarata-Aopi commemorative logo (20th anniversary of PNG) [P15] €6.50
F  B
S1R3 none Tarata-Aopi no logo [P16a] €8.00 F  B
S1R4 none Tarata-Mulina no logo; printed by CBN [P16b] €7.00
F  B
S1R5 none Kamit-Tarata no logo; 3-letter serial number prefix [P16c] €8.00
F  B
S1R6 00 Kamit-Tarata commemorative logo (25 PNG Silver Jubilee) [P21] €6.50
F  B
S1R7 02 Kamit-Tarata no logo; 2-letter serial number prefix [P16d] €4.50
F  B
 

 

S1R1 issued on 20.06.91. S1R2 issued in 1995. S1R3 issued in 1996. S1R4 issued in 1999. S1R6 probably issued on 19.04.00.

 

Refer to Error notes for S1R1 note with greenish serial numbers.

 

 

Papua New Guinea, 2 Kina, issued in 1991. Front: The Coat of Arms of Papua New Guinea at centre left, with a dominant feature of the bird of paradise, from the family of Paradisaeidae. Bird of paradise also appears on the Papua New Guinea’s flag. 43 species of birds of paradise exist in Oceania, of which 35 are confined to Papua New Guinea. The designs surrounding the numerals represent local lineal art patterns in modern style. Back: A Mount Hagen axe, a kula arm band from Milne Bay, engraved dogs' teeth from Bougainville, and a clay pot from Sepik. The patterns surrounding the numerals in local artwork are based on bird design.

 

The following features surround the National Crest on obverse: a tapa cloth from Central Province, a Mount Hagen axe, a club from Huon Gulf, a clay pot from Sepik, a shield from Madang, a marriage bed from Manus Island, and a shield from Upper Sepik. The designs surrounding the numerals represent local lineal art patterns in modern style and do not interpret any particular subject. The National Crest or the Coat of Arms is at centre left, with a dominant feature of the bird of paradise on a kundu drum and ceremonial spear, from the family of Paradisaeidae. Bird of paradise also appears on the Papua New Guinea’s flag. 43 species of birds of paradise exist in Oceania, of which 35 are confined to Papua New Guinea. They are medium-sized birds, perhaps crow-sized, and are remarkably beautiful. The trailing plumes, short velvet-like feathers and beautiful collars are used by the males in their courtship dances, which are as remarkable as the birds and unique to every specie. The females, in comparison, are very plain. They live in forests and frequent the high treetops or lower scrub. The open nest is built in tree branches or in holes. The female handles nest-building, incubation of one or two eggs, and raising the young; the males are polygamous.

 

The following features appear on reverse: a Mount Hagen axe, a kula arm band from Milne Bay, engraved dogs' teeth from Bougainville, and a clay pot from Sepik. The background images comprise: a tapa cloth from the Northern Province, waist bands from the Gulf Province, a canoe from the Trobriand Islands, a shield from Sepik, a canoe from West Sepik, a Madang shield, and clubs from Huon Gulf. The patterns surrounding the numerals in local artwork are based on bird design.

 

Bank of Papua New Guinea's description of 2 Kina bank note (S1)

 

COUNTRY REF. CURRENCY DENOMINATION SIZE PICK PRINTER POLYMER
Papua New Guinea S2 Kina 10 150x75 P23, P26 NPA Guardianฎ

REF. DATE SIGNATORY DESCRIPTION PRICE PICS
S2P1 none Kamit-Tarata PROOF; 3-letter prefix; serial number PNG 000000; uncut sheets of 24 notes only no data F  B
S2S1 none Kamit-Tarata SPECIMEN; 3-letter prefix €275.00
F  B
S2R1 none Kamit-Tarata 3-letter serial number prefix [P26a] €10.00
F  B
S2R2 00 Kamit-Tarata 2-letter serial number prefix; commemorative logo (25 PNG Silver Jubilee) [P23] €18.00 F  B
S2R3 02 Kamit-Tarata 2-letter serial number prefix [P26b] €12.50
F  B
 

S2R1 issued on 19.04.00.

Papua New Guinea, 10 Kina, issued in 2000. Front: The Coat of Arms of Papua New Guinea at centre left, with a dominant feature of the bird of paradise. Birds of paradise are medium-sized birds, perhaps crow-sized, and are remarkably beautiful. The trailing plumes, short velvet-like feathers and beautiful collars are used by the males in their courtship dances, which are as remarkable as the birds and unique to every specie. The females, in comparison, are very plain. The Parliament House design at upper right. Back: A Tami bowl, bird of paradise, Tambu shell money from New Britain, and Boars tusks from the Highlands.

The following features surround the National Crest on obverse: the Parliament House design, a canoe from Milne Bay Province, Sepik spears, a Madang shield, designs based on patterns seen on a bow from the Highlands, a Sepik house post and wood carvings from New Ireland.

The following features appear on reverse: a Tami bowl, bird of paradise, Tambu shell money from New Britain, and Boars tusks from the Highlands. The background images comprise: the Parliament House design, a Gulf shield ceremonial dance paddle from Bougainville, a Sepik clay pot, a Gulf belt, and a marriage bed posts from the Manus Province.

 

 

Bank of Papua New Guinea's description of 10 Kina bank note (S2)

 
COUNTRY REF. CURRENCY DENOMINATION SIZE PICK PRINTER POLYMER
Papua New Guinea S3 Kina 20 150x75 P27 NPA Guardianฎ

REF. DATE SIGNATORY DESCRIPTION PRICE PICS
S3S1 none Kamit-Tarata SPECIMEN; commemorative logo (BPNG 30) not given F  B
S3R1 none Kamit-Tarata commemorative logo (BPNG 30) [P27] €18.00
F  B
S3R2 none Kamit-Tosali no logo €19.00
F  B

 

 

S3R1 issued on 01.11.03 to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Bank of Papua New Guinea. The first two digits of the serial number can be 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, or 07 and therefore do not denote the year of printing or issue. All S3R1 notes carry a LK prefix. These are the initials of the Bank of Papua New Guinea's Governor Leonard Kamit.

 

All S3R2 notes (issued in 2005) carry a BP prefix (the initials of the BPNG's Deputy Governor Benny Popoitai) and feature fully consecutive numbering. The first two digits of the serial number can be 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, or 07 and therefore do not denote the year of printing or issue. The lowest serial number for this note is BP01000001.

 

 

Papua New Guinea, 20 Kina, issued in 2003. Front: The Coat of Arms of Papua New Guinea at centre left, with a dominant feature of the bird of paradise; they live in forests and frequent the high treetops or lower scrub. The open nest is built in tree branches or in holes. The female handles nest-building, incubation of one or two eggs, and raising the young; the males are polygamous. The local art form patterns below the value numerals represent an impressionist pattern of a pig. Back: A boar's head, the toea arm band from the Central Province, a cowrie shell Necklace from Madang Area, and a shell ornament from the Western Province.

 

The National Crest on obverse. The local art form patterns surrounding the value numerals represent an impressionist lineal pattern of a pig. The following items are shown: arm band decorations from the Manus Island, decoration from a Kap Kap ornament from Manus Island , decoration from pottery of the Sepik Area, decoration from a 'spirit board' of the Sepik Area, a decoration from a mask of the Sepik Area, shield decoration from a canoe prow from the Milne Bay Area, areas of design associated with decorations from the Highlands, part of a ceremonial tubuan head-dress from the New Britain Area.

 

Main features on the reverse are the head of a boar, the toea arm band from the Central Province, a crowrie shell Necklace from Madang Area and a shell ornament from the Western Province. The background features include: designs taken from a Mount Hagen axe and shield from the Highlands, designs taken from tapa cloth from the Northern Province, designs from a kap kap of the Manus Area, decorations from a shield from the Gulf Area, decorations from a food hok from the Milne Bay Area, and a typical design from the Central Province.

 

Bank of Papua New Guinea's description of 20 Kina bank note (S3)

 

COUNTRY REF. CURRENCY DENOMINATION SIZE PICK PRINTER POLYMER
Papua New Guinea S4 Kina 50 150x75 P18, P25 NPA Guardianฎ

REF. DATE SIGNATORY DESCRIPTION PRICE PICS
S4P1 99 Vele-Bai PROOF; serial number MV 99 000000; uncut sheets of 24 notes only no data F  B
S4S1 99 Vele-Bai SPECIMEN; serial number MV 99 000000; with specimen number not given F  B
S4S2 99 Vele-Bai SPECIMEN; serial number MV 99 000000; without specimen number not given F  B
S4R1 99 Vele-Bai no logo; year 1999 [P18a] €37.50
F  B
S4R2 99 Kamit-Tarata no logo; year 1999 [P18b] €54.00 F  B
S4R3 00 Kamit-Tarata commemorative logo (25 PNG Silver Jubilee); year 2000 [P25] €80.00 F  B
S4R4 02 Kamit-Tarata no logo; year 2002 [P18b] €42.00
F  B
 

 

S4R1 probably issued on 15.06.99. All S4R1 notes carry the MV prefix. These are the initials of the Bank of Papua New Guinea's Governor Morea Vele. S4R3 probably issued on 19.04.00.

 

 

Papua New Guinea, 50 Kina, issued in 1999. Front: The Coat of Arms of Papua New Guinea, featuring the bird of paradise on a kundu drum and ceremonial spear, at upper left. The National Parliament in centre. Back: Sir Michael Somare, an enduring figure of the Papua New Guinea’s politics. He became the first Prime Minister in 1975, and was elected to serve the third term (with interruptions) as Prime Minister in 2002. Head-dresses and masks from the Bainings (East New Britain), the Orokolo (Gulf Province), the Huli (Southern Highlands Province), the Tubuan (East New Britain Province), and West Sepik and Malagan (New Ireland Province) at right.

 

Obverse features a design of the National Parliament together with a National Crest at the top left corner.

 

The main feature on reverse is a potrait of Sir Michael Somare, surrounded by designs of headdresses and masks from the: Bainings (East New Britain), the Orokolo (Gulf Province), the Huli (Southern Highlands Province), the Tubuan (East New Britain Province), and West Sepik and Malagan (New Ireland Province). Other features include Karkar spears and artist's interpretations of Tapa from the Oro Province, Central (Mekeo) and Morobe (Siassi) Provinces.

 

Bank of Papua New Guinea's description of 50 Kina bank note (S4)

 

 

Sir Michael Somare (1936)

  

COUNTRY REF. CURRENCY DENOMINATION SIZE PICK PRINTER POLYMER
Papua New Guinea S5 Kina 2 140x70 P28 NPA Guardianฎ

REF. DATE SIGNATORY DESCRIPTION PRICE PICS
S5S1 07 Kamit-Tosali SPECIMEN; serial number AA 07 000000 €100.00
F  B
S5R1 07 Kamit-Tosali no logo; year 2007 [P28] €2.50
F  B
S5R2 08 Kamit-Tosali commemorative logo (BPNG 35); year 2008 [P28] €2.50
F  B
S5R3 08 Kamit-Tosali no logo; year 2008 [P28] €2.00
F  B
S5R4 10 Kamit-Tosali commemorative logo (PNG 35); year 2010 €2.00
F  B

 

S5R1 issued on 19.04.07. First prefix AA 07.

 

 

Bank of Papua New Guinea's description of 2 Kina bank note (S5)

 

 

Issue of the new K2 (S5R2) and K50 (S9R1) bank notes

  
COUNTRY REF. CURRENCY DENOMINATION SIZE PICK PRINTER POLYMER
Papua New Guinea S6 Kina 5 no data P29 no data Guardianฎ

REF. DATE SIGNATORY DESCRIPTION PRICE PICS
S6S1 08 Kamit-Tosali SPECIMEN; serial number AA 08 000000 €105.00
F  B
S6R1 08 Kamit-Tosali year 2008 [P29] €4.50
F  B
S6R2 09 Kamit-Tosali year 2009 [P29] €4.50
F  B
S6R3 10 Kamit-Tosali commemorative logo (PNG 35); year 2010 €4.00
F  B

 

 

S6R1 issued on 17.04.08.

 
COUNTRY REF. CURRENCY DENOMINATION SIZE PICK PRINTER POLYMER
Papua New Guinea S7 Kina 10 150x75 P30 no data Guardianฎ

REF. DATE SIGNATORY DESCRIPTION PRICE PICS
S7S1 08 Kamit-Tosali SPECIMEN; serial number AA 08 000000 €110.00
F  B
S7R1 08 Kamit-Tosali year 2008 [P30] €8.00
F  B
S7R2 10 Kamit-Tosali commemorative logo (PNG 35); year 2010 €7.50
F  B

 

 

S7R1 issued on 17.04.08.

 
COUNTRY REF. CURRENCY DENOMINATION SIZE PICK PRINTER POLYMER
Papua New Guinea S8 Kina 20 150x75 P31 NPA Guardianฎ

REF. DATE SIGNATORY DESCRIPTION PRICE PICS
S8S1 07 Kamit-Tosali SPECIMEN; serial number AA 07 000000 €115.00
F  B
S8R1 07 Kamit-Tosali year 2007 [P31] €17.00
F  B
S8R2 10 Kamit-Tosali commemorative logo (PNG 35); year 2010 €15.50
F  B

 

 

S8R1 issued on 05.11.07. First prefix AA 07.

 

Speech by the Governor Leonard Wilson Kamit ( speech) on the release of the new series K20 bank note.  

 

 

Papua New Guinea, 20 Kina, issued in 2007. 

 

Bank of Papua New Guinea's description of 20 Kina new bank note (S8) 

 

COUNTRY REF. CURRENCY DENOMINATION SIZE PICK PRINTER POLYMER
Papua New Guinea S9 Kina 50 150x75 P32 no data Guardianฎ

REF. DATE SIGNATORY DESCRIPTION PRICE PICS
S9S1 08 Kamit-Tosali SPECIMEN; serial number AA 08 000000 €120.00
F  B
S9R1 08 Kamit-Tosali year 2008 [P32] €34.00
F  B
S9R2 10 Kamit-Tosali commemorative logo (PNG 35); year 2010 €32.00
F  B
S9R3 12 Bakani-Tosali no logo; year 2012 €30.00
F  B

 

 

Issued in 2008.

 

 

Issue of the new K2 (S5R2) and K50 (S9R1) bank notes

  
COUNTRY REF. CURRENCY DENOMINATION SIZE PICK PRINTER POLYMER
Papua New Guinea S10 Kina 100 150x75 P33 NPA Guardianฎ

REF. DATE SIGNATORY DESCRIPTION PRICE PICS
S10S1 05 Kamit-Tosali SPECIMEN; serial number AA 05 000000 €125.00
F  B
S10R1 05 Kamit-Tosali year 2005 [P33] €59.00
F  B
S10R2 07 Kamit-Tosali year 2007 [P33] €63.00
F  B

 

 

S10R1 issued on 18.11.05.

 

A promotional poster by the Bank of Papua New Guinea. Speeches of the Governor ( speech) and of the Minister for Finance and Treasury ( speech) at the bank note launch on 18.11.05.

 

 

Papua New Guinea, 100 Kina, issued in 2005. The design of the note traces the country's economic and technological developments over 30 years of independence. Traditional patterns appear in the background of the note. Front: The Coat of Arms of Papua New Guinea, featuring the bird of paradise on a kundu drum and ceremonial spear, at upper left. The Parliament House in centre. The two images symbolise national unity. Back: A depiction of the transition from the traditional primary economy, such as agriculture, fishing, and forestry, towards the modern economy encompassing mining, petroleum, tourism, transportation and technology.

 

Bank of Papua New Guinea's description of 100 Kina bank note (S10)

 

 

New K100 note launched

   

COUNTRY REF. CURRENCY DENOMINATION SIZE PICK PRINTER POLYMER
Papua New Guinea S11 Kina 100 150x75 P-new NPA Guardianฎ

REF. DATE SIGNATORY DESCRIPTION PRICE PICS
S11R1 10 Kamit-Tosali commemorative logo (PNG 35); year 2010 €55.00
F  B
S11R2 12 Bakani-Tosali year 2012 €52.50
F  B

 

 

Issued on 17.09.10 (officially launched on 15.09.10).

 

This note was given a new reference number as the new design (S11) significantly differs from the old design (S10).

  

COUNTRY REF. CURRENCY DENOMINATION SIZE PICK PRINTER POLYMER
Papua New Guinea SH1 Kina 100 150x75 P-new TDLR Hybrid

REF. DATE SIGNATORY DESCRIPTION PRICE PICS
SH1P1 2008 Kamit-Tosali PROOF; serial number SSHL002008; uncut sheets of 28 notes only €2,800.00 F  B
SH1S1 2008 Kamit-Tosali SPECIMEN; serial number BPNG0000000 €128.00
F  B
SH1R1 2008 Kamit-Tosali commemorative logo (BPNG 35) €57.50
F  B

 

 

Issued in 2008.

 

A leaflet by the Bank of Papua New Guinea describing the bank note.