The tālā is the currency of Samoa. It is divided into 100 sene. The terms tālā and sene are cognates of the English words dollar and cent in the Samoan language. Its symbol is $, or WS$ to distinguish it from other currencies named dollar.
The word 'tala' is also derived from the German word 'Thaler', and pronounced the same.
The tālā was introduced on 10 July 1967, following the country's political independence from New Zealand in 1962. Until that time, Samoa had used the pound, with coins from New Zealand and its own banknotes. The tālā replaced the pound at a rate of 2 tālā = 1 pound and was, therefore, equal to the New Zealand dollar. The tālā remained equal to the New Zealand dollar until 1975.
The symbol WS$ is still used for the tālā, representing the country's previous name Western Samoa, used up to 1997, when the word Western was officially removed and the country became known as just Samoa. Therefore, the symbol SAT, ST and T appear to be in use as well.
Sometimes figures are written with the dollar sign in front, followed by "tālā". e.g. $100 tālā.
The Samoan currency is issued and regulated by the Central Bank of Samoa.
On 29 September 1991, a $2 note was issued to commemorate the Golden Jubilee (50th anniversary) of Malietoa Tanumafili II as head of state. It was the first and only fully polymer note issued by Samoa. These were withdrawn in 2011 and replaced with the 2-tālā coin.
In 2008 a new series in denominations of $5 to $100 produced by De La Rue was introduced with brighter colours, new security features, and modern designs.
The two highest denominations ($50 and $100) are protected with De La Rue's Optiks security thread which features a see-through window.
{|class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%"
|-
!colspan="8"| Banknotes series 2008
|-
!colspan="2"| Image !!rowspan="2"| Value<br /> !!rowspan="2"| Dimensions<br />(mm) !!rowspan="2"| Composition<br />colour !!colspan="2"| Description !!rowspan="2"| Year<br />Print
|-
! Obverse !! Reverse !! Obverse !! Reverse
|-
| style="text-align:center; background:#000;"|
| style="text-align:center; background:#000;"|
| align=center | <big>$5</big>
| align=center | 72 х 140
| align=center | Red
| align=center | Samoan fale and trees in a bay
| align=center | Villa Vailima, former residence of Robert Louis Stevenson in Mount Vaea, Samoa
| align=center | 2008
|-
| style="text-align:center; background:#000;"|
| style="text-align:center; background:#000;"|
| align=center | <big>$10</big>
| align=center | 72 х 140
| align=center | blue
| align=center | Manu Samoa 7s, national rugby union team, winning the Hong Kong Sevens in 2007.
| align=center | A group of children.
| align=center | 2008
|-
| style="text-align:center; background:#000;"|
| style="text-align:center; background:#000;"|
| align=center | <big>$20</big>
| align=center | 72 х 140
| align=center | Yellow
| align=center | The 50m Sopo'aga Waterfall situated on Le Mafa Pass Road, Upolu island.
| align=center | Manumea or Samoan pigeon (Didunculus strigirostris), national bird of Samoa.
| align=center | 2008
|-
| style="text-align:center; background:#000;"|
| style="text-align:center; background:#000;"|
| align=center | <big>$50</big>
| align=center | 72 х 140 paper + plastic
| align=center | Purple
| align=center | Government of Samoa office building, Apia
| align=center | Central Bank of Samoa office building, Apia
| align=center | 2008
|-
| style="text-align:center; background:#000;"|
| style="text-align:center; background:#000;"|
| align=center | <big>$100</big>
| align=center | 72 х 140 paper + plastic
| align=center | green
| align=center | Portrait of the late Malietoa Tanumafili II
| align=center | Cathedral of Apia
| align=center | 2008
|}
Exchange rate
See also
- Economy of Samoa
- Australian dollar
- United States dollar
- New Zealand dollar
- Fijian dollar
- Solomon Islands dollar
References
External links
- COLLECTOR'S CURRENCY
- Historic Samoan banknotes