The official currency of Papua New is called Kina. Fraction or figure after the decimal place is called Toea with the symbol t. Its symbol is letter K. Its currency exchange symbol is PGK. It consists of the following notes and coins. Notes are in the denomination of K100, K50, K20, K10, K5 and K2. Silver coins include 50t, 20t,10t,5t
What does PNG currency Kina and Toea Mean?
Kina is name of the crescent-shaped shell necklace ornament made from yellow lipped clam. Once the shell is polished and crafted it gives a shinny glow and reflects light. The polished shell was used as a valuable traditional currency for important ceremonies such as bride price, peace ceremonies. It is a symbolized the wealth and status of an individual. The kina shell was traded along a traditional trade route that traces all the way into the interior highlands of the main land of the island.
Toea, it is an old traditional trade currency arm band. Cut and polished from the Conus shell, this shell currency was used by people in the south of the country to trade. The people from the Gulf province should trade this armband shell with Motu Speaking people along the Papuan Coastline during the famous Hiri Motu Trade.
www.worthpoint.com (Toea Shell
All Kina Currency Notes And Coins
The Kina currency notes are easily identifiable by their different colors as follows:
The coins are silver in color .
Featured elements featured in the Kina currency notes and coins.
Each note and coin have a feature that is symbolizes wealth and status in different parts of the country.
The National Parliament Building
In many societies in Papua New Guinea, decision making power lies with the village chief and elders. Elders of the community act as advisors to the chief who has the authority to make decision and run the affairs of the community. Although, the current system of government follows the western Westminster style, it resembles the traditional governance structure of many communities. Papua New is very diverse in terms of culture, traditions and language. As such, the Parliament is a symbol of national unity, where elected leaders of different societies congregate together to make decision for the whole of Papua New Guinea. Each elected member of parliament represents a group of society that is totally unique to others in the parliament. He/she has to make sure his society and people are fairly represented and allocated the resources they deserve from the national government.
The parliament also symbolizes the fair distribution national wealth among the different and diverse groups of societies in the country. It is the center for distribution of national wealth.
Just as the currency is legal tender across the country, the parliament is the authority of a nation of many tribes, culture and language.
Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare
The K50 note features Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare. He was the founding Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea. He was very instrumental in leading a group of native leaders in the early days prior to Independence and eventually became the first Prime Minister. He passed away in February 2021. His buried at this home provincial town of Wewak in East Sepik province.
The Wild Boar
The boar is featured in the K20 note. Domesticated boar is a symbol of wealth and status of individuals in many societies in Papua New Guinea. In parts of mainland interior highlands of Papua New Guinea, people have domesticated boars up to even today. Pigs are still the symbol of wealth and status and featured in all important ceremonies. Events such as weddings, peace ceremonies, election rallies and etc.
Stone Axe
The stone axe was a survival tool of the past. In the past where there was no iron casts and locksmiths, Papua New Guineans have used stone axe to cut trees to build houses, make gardens and for grinding and chopping food items. The axe was curved by special craftsmen from rocks and tied to wooden handles by rope. Because it was made from rock and few craftsmen who can make it, it was a valuable and treasured tool.
Plantation Crops
The K100 note features symbols of country’s major export cash crops which is the copra from coconut trees, palm oil.
Crocodile and Bird of Paradise
The K1 silver coin features the crocodile and the Bird of Paradise. Crocodile is a reptile fresh water reptile mammal that is found mainly along the mighty Sepik River Plains in the northern part of the country’s mainland. The reptile has deep cultural and tradition associations with people of the Sepik River regions.
The Bird of Paradise a rare and beautiful bird found in the vast forests of the country. It is the national emblem symbol and it is a national icon.
The National Emblem, Butterfly, and Possum
The 50t, 20t, 10t siler coins feature the National Emblem which is the Bird of Paradise perched on a kundu musical instrument. The kundu is a traditional drum type musical instrument made from wood and snake skins. It’s a common musical instrument found in many societies around the country.
The 50t coin feature the famous largest Alexander Birdwing butterfly found in the forests of Owen Stanley ranges which originates from the Northern Province. The 10t coin features the colourful possum species found in the forests of the country.
Kina Currency Printing and Distribution
According to the Central Bank of PNG, the Kina currency notes are print by Note Printing company in Australian and coins are minted by the Royal Canadian Mint. Bank of Papua New Guinea prints and distributes currency notes in Papua New Guinea.
More Information
For more information about the currency and banking information in PNG, go to Bank of PNG.
Watch the ABC tribute Youtube video of Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare.
