SAMOA 5-10-20 TALA 2023 P-47 UNC POLYMER FOLDER - LIMITED EDITION

SAMOA 5-10-20 TALA 2023 P-47 UNC POLYMER FOLDER - LIMITED EDITION

"Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting" Commemorative Issue

MINTAGE: 2000 pcs ONLY

 

The Central Bank of Samoa (CBS) has released a series of limited-edition commemorative banknotes to mark Samoa's momentous role as host of the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), taking place in Apia, Samoa, from October 21 to 26, 2024.

These commemorative notes—available in denominations of 5-tālā, 10-tālā, 20-tālā, and 60-tālā—were officially launched on the opening day of the conference.

A special CHOGM 2024 hologram has been applied to 1,000 units of the 60-tālā commemorative note (front, left side), creating a unique version of the banknote that was specifically prepared for presentation during this year’s CHOGM. The 60-tālā banknote symbolizes the dawn of a "NEW ERA," marking a renewed sense of hope and progress, as Samoa celebrates a pivotal transformation in its history—the appointment of its first female prime minister, ushering in a bold vision for the nation's future.

Moreover, the CHOGM 2024 hologram has also been applied to a select number of Samoa’s newly released polymer banknotes in the 5-tālā, 10-tālā, and 20-tālā denominations. These notes feature prominent national symbols: Villa Vailima (the former residence of Robert Louis Stevenson), the Samoan national rugby team’s victory at the 2007 IRB Hong Kong Sevens, and the Sinaloa waterfall on Savai'i island, respectively. These specially marked notes serve to commemorate Samoa’s rich heritage, cultural pride, natural beauty, and sporting achievements, and are available to collectors worldwide.

The CHOGM 2024 hologram replicates the official logo of the summit in a distinctive holographic design. All four commemorative banknotes are serialized beginning with the prefix 060xxxx—a deliberate nod to Samoa’s recent 60th year of independence, previously marked by the release of the 60-tālā commemorative note.

The optical security element was uniquely designed for CHOGM 2024. This advanced feature integrates 3D bas-relief, kinetic motion effects, and ultra-fine 400-micron microtext that includes the names of all 56 Commonwealth nations. Created by IQ Structures using nanoDOVID® technology, the security feature provides multi-level authentication—overt, covert, and forensic—delivering exceptional defense against counterfeiting. Based near Prague, Czechia, IQ Structures is a world-renowned supplier of nanostructure-based anti-counterfeit technology, protecting over a billion documents globally each year. The company has been recognized with several prestigious international awards for innovation and continues to be a regular recipient of the IHMA Excellence in Holography award.

The names of the 56 Commonwealth member countries embedded in the microtext are as follows:

• Antigua and Barbuda

• Australia

• The Bahamas

• Bangladesh

• Barbados

• Belize

• Botswana

• Brunei Darussalam

• Cameroon

• Canada

• Cyprus

• Dominica

• Eswatini

• Fiji

• Gabon

• The Gambia

• Ghana

• Grenada

• Guyana

• India

• Jamaica

• Kenya

• Kiribati

• Lesotho

• Malawi

• Malaysia

• Maldives

• Malta

• Mauritius

• Mozambique

• Namibia

• Nauru

• New Zealand

• Nigeria

• Pakistan

• Papua New Guinea

• Rwanda

• St Kitts and Nevis

• Saint Lucia

• St Vincent and the Grenadines

• Samoa

• Seychelles

• Sierra Leone

• Singapore

• Solomon Islands

• South Africa

• Sri Lanka

• Togo

• Tonga

• Trinidad and Tobago

• Tuvalu

• Uganda

• United Kingdom

• United Republic of Tanzania

• Vanuatu

• Zambia

Special presentation items featuring the new CHOGM banknotes were created for both ceremonial and commercial distribution during CHOGM 2024:

• A deluxe, VIP-quality presentation album featuring a single 60-tālā CHOGM commemorative banknote was gifted to the heads of state of all 56 Commonwealth nations, along with select dignitaries, by Prime Minister Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa.

• A glossy tri-fold folder with an envelope, also containing a single 60-tālā commemorative note, was made available for purchase by conference delegates via the CBS. Any unsold folders after the event will be offered to collectors at a price of 67.50 euros, distributed through PBN Ltd.

• In addition to the VIP and delegate items, the CBS has also produced a collector’s booklet featuring the 5-tālā, 10-tālā, and 20-tālā CHOGM polymer banknotes. This commemorative booklet, limited to just 2,000 copies, is exclusively available through PBN Ltd on behalf of the CBS, retailing at 85 euros each.

Numerous countries have previously issued commemorative stamps, coins, or banknotes in recognition of their role as CHOGM hosts. Past examples of CHOGM-themed banknotes include:

• 2007: Uganda 10,000 Shillings, Pick 48 (issued in deluxe VIP album, paper folder, and for circulation)

• 2009: Trinidad and Tobago 100 Dollars, Pick 52 (circulation issue)

• 2013: Sri Lanka 500 Rupees, Pick 129 (paper folder and circulation release)

• 2024: Samoa