Samoan Tala Explained

Ashly Chole Senior Finance Researcher

Last Updated 05 August 2025

Samoan Tala

The Samoan tl serves as the country's official unit of exchange. It took the place of New Zealand bank-issued coins as well as coins with Australian and British pound denominations. Nevertheless, the area continued to mint nickel-brass 10 cent, 20 cent, and 50 cent pieces that were made of cupronickel with a silver core.

As the nation gained its independence, the Samoan language was introduced

Not to be confused with American Samoa, the Independent State of Samoa is one of the Polynesian islands east of Australia. Its official currency is the Samoan Tala (WST). Once New Zealand gained its independence from New Zealand in 1967, the tala was initially used as a form of money, replacing Australian and Fijian coins as well as British coinage. When nickel-based coinage began to replace copper-based coinage, it was phased out. Since then, a decimalized form known as 'tala' has taken its place. The tala is still in use today, but it has no actual worth on its own because there are no banknotes or coins that can be bought outside of Samoa; all transactions must be completed using cash or checks that are payable to another party.

Talas bills come in several denominations

Tala notes come in values of 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50 tala. Samoa's national currency is the New Zealand dollar. As an alternative unofficial currency with the same value as the tala, the Australian dollar is employed. The Samoan Central Bank is the issuer of the Samoan tala. The Samoan tala is used as the nation's currency. There are 100 pennies in it. Samoa also uses the New Zealand dollar, which is accepted by virtually all businesses and banks. On par with the New Zealand dollar, the Samoan tala was introduced in 1975. Coins at 0.02 and 0.05 cents and bills for 1, 2, and 5 dollars were used.

The name and date are printed on each denomination

Each denomination has the name of the designer written in blue ink on the front. This data will often be printed in black ink as well. If you want to know more about Samoa's monetary system, The $10 through $100 denominations of banknotes each depict a distinct aspect of Samoan culture. Each note contains color-changing ink that transforms from gold to green when exposed to UV light, and the denominations are written on both sides of each note. Each note has a different depiction of Samoan culture on the front, while the Queen is shown on the back.

Samoan money was produced using cupronickel

Australian and British pounds, as well as coins produced by banks in New Zealand, were replaced by the new currency. The Samoan coinage had a silver core and was made of cupronickel. After the nation's separation from New Zealand, it was implemented. These are known as tala coins (pronounced tal-uh). A Samoan warrior wielding a spear and standing in front of a former governor-general of Samoa may be seen on the coin's obverse.

The coat of arms of Samoa is seen on the obverse of the coin. On the reverse, two Fijian warriors clutching a spear and a shield are depicted, and their outstretched hands are interlocked as a symbol of friendliness and harmony. The coat of arms appears on the reverse. The British monarch's effigy may be seen on the reverse.

The region kept its own currency system

The national currency of Samoa is the tala (Samoan), which is distinct from the tala (American Samoa) of American Samoa. Australian and British pounds, as well as coins produced by banks in New Zealand, were replaced by the new currency. Prior to the country's adoption of a free-floating currency system in 1967, the tala was initially tied to the dollar at a rate of 1 tala = $0.50. The value of the tala depends on the quantity of gold or silver that can be traded for it because it is a paper currency and, as such, has no intrinsic worth.

The Reserve Bank of Samoa produced the currency

It was produced by the Reserve Bank of Samoa and is available in quantities of 1 tala (T$1) and 50 tala (T$50). Both private individuals and commercial enterprises utilize the tala, which is an accepted form of money. You can trade it at any Samoan commercial bank. Other autonomous countries besides Samoa that utilize the tala are Niue and Tokelau. Due to their shared history and culture, these three nations are sometimes referred to as the 'Samoan Islands' or 'Polynesian Islands.' A fresh batch of printed banknotes was released by the Central Bank of Samoa. Three different amounts—T$5, T$10, and T$20—are included in the collection. Each bill has an illustration of a traditional village setting on the left and a portrait of a well-known Samoan person on the right side of the front.

A photo of the Bank of Samoa building in the nation's capital may be found on the reverse of each note. Similar to Australian banknotes, the banknotes were created and printed on a polymer substrate. Whether exposed to water, dirt, or other elements that might harm paper banknotes, polymer notes hold up better and longer than paper ones.