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Tonga Gold Coins

Brief Tonga History

Tonga

The archipelago of "The Friendly Islands" was united into a Polynesian kingdom in 1845. It became a constitutional monarchy in 1875 and a British protectorate in 1900. Tonga acquired its independence in 1970 and became a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. It remains the only monarchy in the Pacific.

Tongan Coins

Tonga only started to issue its own coins in 1962 denominated in pounds, but with 16 koulas to the pound, and in 1967 it decimalised. There are now 100 senti = 1 Pa'Anga, and 100 Pa'anga = 1 Hau, therefore 10,000 senti = 1 Hau.
In 1967, Tonga achieved a world's first by issuing the first ever palladium coins for the coronation of King Taufa Ahau Tupou IV.
Tonga's first coins were issued in 1962. These were gold coins, one of which is shown here. They are denominated in Koula, and are the only coins to ever use this denomination. In 1967, Tonga decimalised its coinage system, which was then denominated in pa'anga, each of which is subdivided into 100 seniti (cents).

Designs

The 1962 coins have the coat of arms of Tonga on their obverse, with their denominational value above, and the word TONGA below.
The reverse shows a remarkably slim portrait of Queen Salote standing right. Sources state that she was very tall at 1.91 metres or 6'3". Her son Taufa Ahau Tupou IV weighed over 200 kilos, apparently a world record for any monarch.
The legend read
SALOTE TUPOU III
1962

Technical Specifications

DenominationDiameterWeightFinenessGold Content
1/4 Koula 
8.1250.9160.2395
1/2 Koula 
16.2500.9160.4789
Koula 
32.5000.9160.9278
Pa'Anga 26.0000.9170.7666
10 Pa'Anga - 199813.921.2441.9999.0400
20 Pa'Anga - 199925.007.7776.585.1463
25 Pa'Anga 5.0000.9170.1474
50 Pa'Anga 10.0000.9170.2948
75 Pa'Anga 15.0000.9170.4423
100 Pa'Anga - 1975 
20.0000.9170.5897

Notes on Table

Diameter = Diameter in millimetres.
Weight = Gross weight in grams.
Fineness = purity of gold alloy.
Gold Content = Actual gold content in troy ounces.

Individual Coins & Sets

DateDenominationDescriptionGrade
1962Three Coin SetQueen SaloteAlmost Uncirculated
197525 Pa'AngaKing GeorgeProof
197550 Pa'AngaKing GeorgeProof
197575 Pa'Anga Queen SaloteProof
1975100 Pa'AngaKing Taufa AhauProof
199810 Pa'AngaSailing Ship La PrincesaAbout FDC
199920 Pa'AngaLady of the CenturyProof

Postage & Packing

UK Registered Post (Special Delivery) £9 per order
EU Insured Post £10 per order
USA Airmail $10 per order
USA Insured Shipping $20 per order

Tonga Silver and Base Metal Coins

For silver and base metal coins of Tonga, please look at our original Chard Coins website.

Coins Wanted
We make an active market in almost all world coins, gold or otherwise, including Tongan gold coins, whether listed on this page or not. If you have any of these coins to sell, please contact us, or post them to us for appraisal and offer.

Coat of Arms on Obverse of 1962 Tonga Gold 100 Pa'Anga

Coat of Arms on Obverse of 1962 Tonga Gold 100 Pa'Anga

Countries Index

Queen Salote on Obverse of 1962 Tonga Gold 100 Pa'Anga

Queen Salote on Obverse of 1962 Tonga Gold 100 Pa'Anga

Obverse of 1962 Tonga Quarter Koula

Obverse of 1962 Tonga Quarter Koula

Reverse of 1962 Tonga Quarter Koula

Reverse of 1962 Tonga Quarter Koula

 


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