By Dalcy Lulua
THE Bank of Papua New Guinea unveiled today the official designs of new commemorative currency, 50 Kina bank note and a 50 Toea coin.
The new note and coin, which have been designed to mark the nation’s upcoming 50th Anniversary of independence, will be released into circulation in August this year to coincide with Independence Day.
The design launch event, held at APEC Haus, highlighted the cultural and historical Kina and Toea.
BPNG Governor, Ms Elizabeth Genia, emphasised the importance of Papua New Guinea’s own currency in the nation’s journey to independence, recognising that true independence required more than political change but also demanded economic sovereignty.
“It is a great honour to join you in commemorating two important national milestones – the 50th Anniversary of Papua New Guinea’s Independence and the 50th Anniversary of our national currency,” said Governor Genia.
The commemorative 50 Kina banknote and 50 Toea coin are designed to reflect the cultural and natural beauty of Papua New Guinea, featuring iconic symbols that embody the spirit of the nation.
Both currencies feature the 50th Anniversary Logo, connecting these new designs to commemorative events across the country throughout the anniversary year.
The 50 Kina banknote features PNG’s unique flora and fauna, the Blue Orchid and Queen Alexandra`s Butterfly, the largest in the world. The note incorporates the spectacular national bird, the Raggiana Bird of Paradise, which represents the spirit of Papua New Guineans as the nation takes flight to determine its own future.
The 50 toea coin features a vibrant inlay of PNG’s iconic flag, designed on the eve of independence by the then 15-year old Susan Karike.
CEO of Note Printing Australia(NPA) Mr Malcolm McDowell unveiled the two designs in a ceremonial handover to Prime Minister James Marape.
“As we celebrate 50 years of nationhood and launch this commemorative currency, we also look ahead with purpose. The Bank of Papua New Guinea’s Vision 2050, launched at our own 50th anniversary two years ago, remains our guiding light, ensuring that our financial system not only keeps pace with changing world but delivers economic opportunity and financial inclusion for all Papua New Guineans. We are proud to mark this national milestone as both custodians of the country’s currency and architects of its financial future,” said Governor Genia.
In his keynote speech, Prime Minister Hon. James Marape, stated that the Kina and Toea are a symbol of unity today and will be so into the future.
PMJM also pays tributes to late founding fathers and especially Late Sir Julius Chan for being the cornerstone and setting the foundations of PNG’s currencies.
” This moment, 50 years ago giants of our country, there can no be greater than our founding fathers and Sir Julius Chan and who laid the cornerstone of what we are enjoying today.”
Governor of BPNG Ms Genia has announced that the K50 notes and 50 toea coin are currently being printed in Australia by the Central Bank’s long-time partners, Note Printing Australia (NPA) and Royal Australian Mint. Ms. Genia further announced that there will be 20 million commemorative K50 notes and 50 toea coins in circulation by the 28th of August 2025.