Tonga 1981 10 seniti
This specimen was issued by the kingdom of Tonga as part of the F.A.O. series. Tonga, heavily marketed as a tropical paradise where tourists are served cold drinks under swaying palm trees, is not generally considered in need of F.A.O. assistance, but poverty exists there, too. Lack of development has forced a substantial portion of the population to work abroad and the economy is dependent on their remittances home. In 2010, the monarchy relinguished many of its powers and adopted a constitution, but corruption remains a problem. Coinage commenced in 1962 and was converted to decimal coinage in 1967. As of August 2019, US$1 = 2.38 pa'anga (symbol T$). This type was struck 1981, 1990-91, 1994-96 and is struck on the module of the New Zealand ten cents. Later issues used nickel plated steel (KM 69a). The reverse features bananas.
Recorded mintage: 712,000.
Specification: 5.65 g, copper-nickel, 23.5 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM 69.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
Link to:
- Tonga 1978 pa'anga F.A.O.
- Tonga 1978 2 pa'anga F.A.O.
- 1981 seniti, F.A.O.
- 1981 2 seniti, F.A.O.
- 1981 5 seniti, F.A.O.
- New Zealand 1981 10 cents
- 1981 20 seniti, F.A.O.
- 1981 50 seniti, F.A.O.
- Tonga 1986 2 pa'anga humpback whales
- 2002 10 seniti
- Coins and currency dated 1981
- return to coins of Tonga