The Central Bank of Samoa (CBS) is upgrading its $5, $10, and $20 Tālā banknotes by converting them from cotton-based paper to the advanced SAFEGUARD® polymer substrate. Polymer is more durable than paper; it is also cleaner and of higher quality. All of these characteristics make polymer a good choice for these lower denomination, heavily circulated banknotes. The upgraded polymer notes will be put into circulation in stages.
Advanced security features added
The built-in security features of these notes have also been modernized and upgraded. They include:
- A transparent window displaying a Tueila flower on each denomination.
- Under UV light, the GEMINI™ feature shows fluorescent colours and a prominent denomination number in a phosphorescent green block, BLINK™.
Up close: Samoa’s new polymer banknotes
The color schemes and visual designs of the new notes are similar to their existing counterparts.
The $5 Tālā note was put into circulation on December 18, 2023.
The $10 Tālā note was put into circulation on January 23, 2024.
The $20 Tālā note was put into circulation on January 23, 2024.
Accessibility for the visually impaired
The new banknotes include a Tactile Emboss feature that allows visually impaired consumers to identify a note’s denomination by touch.
- The $5 note has 6 raised dots.
- The $10 note has 8 raised dots.
- The $20 note has 10 raised dots.
Samoa’s new polymer banknotes reaffirm the dedication of CBS to provide “secure, high-quality banknotes that not only meet international standards but also represent the spirit and values of Samoa.”
The existing paper $5, $10, and $20 Tālā notes will circulate alongside the new notes until further notice.
Sources/References:
Central Bank of Samoa
DeLaRue
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