Country overview

Polymer overview

General information

Samoa is the third country in the world to issue a polymer bank note and the sixth country in the world to issue a hybrid bank note .

Central Bank of Samoa

Central Bank of Samoa Annual reports: 1999, 2000, 2002/03, 2003/04, 2004/05, 2005/06.

Information about the notes' size: the Central Bank of Samoa's web site gives 139 x 71 mm as measurements for all three notes (S1, SH1, and SH2). The actual measurements are 140 x 70 mm for S1; 140 x 72 mm for SH1 and SH2.

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
	S1R1*	2 Tala, 1st series, AAA prefix, note in folder.	€20.00

Bank notes

S1R1 was withdrawn shortly after issue and replaced with S1R2. The reason for the withdrawal was that the intaglio printing on S1R1 came off easily. Securency's web site says S1R1 was issued in 1991 and the Central Bank of Samoa's web site says S1R1 was issued on 29.09.91 (not 1990). S1R3 was issued in 1997, S1R4 in 2003.

Four different series of S1 were issued. Each of the series differs in colour from the other three. The differences are most apparent at the left side on front (spikes) and the right side on front (area above and to the right of the portrait). There are some other color differences, including on the back of the note. These are the most apparent differences between the series:

1st series / S1R1 (AAA or AAB prefix): spikes are light green;

2nd series / S1R2 (AAC or AAD prefix): spikes are blue to (sometimes) dark green;

3rd series / S1R3 (AAE or AAF prefix): spikes are mauve to green-brown, area above and to the immediate right of the portrait is yellow with some light green color;

4th series / S1R4 (AAH, AAJ, AAK, AAL or AAN prefix): spikes are mauve to green-brown, area above and to the immediate right of the portrait is orange-brown.

Samoa, 2 Tala, issued in 1990. This bank note has been issued to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Service of his Highness the Head of State of Western Samoa Susuga Malietoa Tunumafili II. Front: Susuga Malietoa Tunumafili II at right; he became the Head of State in 1963, when Samoa achieved its independence. A typical Samoan village, representing the predominant element of the social structure, in the centre. Back: A family scene represents the importance of family life within each village. Extended families, each headed by a Matai (Chief), are the basic units within each village. Coat of Arms of Samoa at upper right.

Issued in 2008. The bank note features Optiks™ hybrid technology of De La Rue.

Samoa, 50 Tala, issued in 2008. The bank note depicts political and economic maturity and stability. Traditional Samoan patterns in the background. Front: The Government complex at Matagialalua, a symbol of the maturity and solidarity of Samoa's public administration and governance system. Back: The building of the Central Bank of Samoa, the nation's institution in charge of monetary policy, internal and external monetary stability, currency issuance, and licensing and supervision of financial institutions in the country. The Central Bank has been established in 1984. The Coat of Arms of Samoa above the building.

Issued in 2008. The bank note features Optiks™ hybrid technology of De La Rue.

Samoa, 100 Tala, issued in 2008. Front: The bank note commemorates the life of the late Malietoa Tanumafili II (1913-2007), O le Ao o le Malo or Head of State of Samoa from 1962 to 2007, whose portrait appears in the centre. The late Malietoa's life portrays the kindness, humility, and respect, enshrined in the Samoan customs and traditions; his life was also a symbolic icon of social stability. Back: The Mulivai Catholic Cathedral, built in 1885, one of the nation's oldest churches. It is a significant historical symbol of Christianity in Samoa. The Coat of Arms of Samoa right to the cathedral.