Country overview

Polymer overview

General information

Central Bank of Samoa

Central Bank of Samoa Annual reports: 1999, 2000, 2003/04.

The following is an excerpt from the Central Bank of Samoa 2000 Annual Report:

Printing of bank notes: There were no new notes printed during the year 2000. The paper note denominations (5 Tala, 10 Tala, 20 Tala, 50 Tala and 100 Tala) are printed by De La Rue, while the polymer note (2 Tala) is printed by Note Printing Australia. The polymer bank notes are generally more durable compared to traditional paper notes. This is due mainly to the fact that they do not get dirty easily and are harder to tear. Compared to paper notes, polymer banknotes cost roughly twice as much to produce, but are estimated to last four times longer. Samoa was the first country in the South Pacific to use Polymer notes in 1991, marking the celebration of the Fifty Years of Service by His Highness the Head of State, Susuga Malietoa Tanumafili II.

Bank notes

S1R1 has been withdrawn shortly after issue and replaced with S1R2.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 (not 1990). AAJ prefix has been released in 2005.

Bank notes are signed by the Minister of Finance, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi (in office from 1984 to 2001), currently Prime Minister.

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.

[From the issue folder.]

The currency note in this folder is an entirely new type and the first of its kind in Western Samoa. The note is printed on polymer (plastic) material which incorporates technology devised and developed by Note Printing Australia, a division of the Reserve Bank of Australia. Only one other country, apart from Australia, has so far issued notes using this technology.

The new note has been printed and issued in 1990 to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Service of his Highness the Head of State of Western Samoa Susuga Malietoa Tunumafili II.

On the passing away of his father, Malietoa Tanumafili I, Anitelea Tanumafili “Tanu” was bestowed the title Malietoa and was appointed as Advisor on Samoan matters by the New Zealand Government in 1940. This marked the beginning of His Highness’ political career and service to the people of Western Samoa. In 1949, Susuga Malietoa Tanumafili II was conferred a CBE when he was made Chairman of the Committee preparing for Western Samoa’s independence.

Western Samoa achieved independence in 1962, and his Highness was made Joint-Head of State with the late Tupua Tamasese Meaole. Susuga Malietoa Tanumafili II became the sole Head of State on April 1963 when Tupua Tamasese died.

The designs on the note are representative of Samoan society in which the basic units are the village, and within each village, the extended families, each headed by a Matai (Chief). On the front side of the note the Head of State, as leader of the nation, is portrayed alongside a village representing the predominant element of the social structure. The family scene on the back side of the note represents the importance of family life within each village.

This special polymer substrate has been developed to replace the traditional currency note paper. In addition to the inclusion of traditional security devices such as intaglio and simultaneous offset printing, the substrate allows unique and innovative anti-counterfeiting devices such as shadow image (National Flag) and a clear area with the shape of a stylized Hibiscus flower, containing the picture of a Kava bowl visible from both sides.

The multi-colour recess printing (intaglio) used on the major features produces a distinct raised effect where the ink has been deposited. It also allows the micro-printing of words (LUA TALA) in the design.

The offset print used for background security patterns and including rainbow effects is applied to both sides at the same time, allowing perfect registration of features such as the Star.