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

Denomination	Diameter	Weight	Fineness	Gold Content
100 Pa'Anga	45	32.5000	.9160	.9278
10 Pa'Anga	Small	1.2441?	.9999?	.0400?

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.

Prices & Availability
The prices quoted in the US $ column may be out of date due to currency fluctuations.

Date	Denomination	Description	Grade	Availability	Price £	Price $
1962	One Koula	Queen Salote	Almost Uncirculated	Yes	£495	$985
1998	10 Pa'Anga	Sailing Ship La Princesa	About FDC	Yes	£Ask	$Ask

Postage & Packing
UK Registered Post (Special Delivery) £6 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.