Symbols and Progress

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The kina was chosen as Papua New Guinea’s currency name at independence in 1975; it is a shell used as a traditional kind of money into the 20th century.
Each kina is divided into 100 toea.
The term “kina” is used in Tok Pisin and Kuanua, two of the country’s three official languages.
Kina are gold-rimmed pearl oyster shells once used for trading, as a traditional store of wealth, and for adornment.
Toea are shells once used for trading and are valued because they’re found deep in the ocean and only at certain times of the year, according to the central bank’s official history.

Commemorative 50 kina banknotes mark Papua New Guinea’s 50 years of independence.
The 50 kina note features:
- Michael Somare, the founding prime minister.
- The national emblem, the Raggiana bird-of-paradise.
- A Queen Alexandra’s birdwing—the world’s largest butterfly—with wings spanning 25–28 centimeters.
- A blue orchid, another national symbol.
A new 50 toea coin, showing the country’s flag, also marked the anniversary.

Papua New Guinea has more than 800 languages spoken by its people—the most of any country.
The nation’s population is 10 million in the southwestern Pacific.
Bank of Papua New Guinea Governor Elizabeth Genia, in an August speech announcing the new designs, stated:
- “The kina and the toea remain symbols of independence.”
- “The unfinished business of independence is to ensure every kina and every toea earned brings real benefits for our people. Our sovereignty is measured not only by symbols, but by the progress we make as a nation.”

Next year, Papua New Guinea will introduce a new 100 kina note to honor Julius Chan.
Julius Chan:
- Shaped early economic policies as the first finance minister and second prime minister.
- Was born on Tanga Island, New Ireland Province, to a Chinese father and Indigenous mother just before World War II.
- Represented his home province in Parliament until he died in January at age 85.
- Was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1980 for his service to the former British colony.
- Was popularly known as “Sir J.”
The new banknote will depict Chan, bringing him full circle to the currency he helped introduce to a newly independent nation.

Independence and currency introduction: 1975.
Commemorative anniversary: 50 years (noted in September).
Languages spoken: more than 800.
Population: 10 million.
Kina subdivision: 100 toea per kina.
Commemorative denomination issued: 50 kina banknote; 50 toea coin.
Queen Alexandra’s birdwing wingspan: 25–28 centimeters.
Julius Chan: knighted in 1980; died in January at age 85; new 100 kina note to be issued next year.

F&D Magazine — "Symbols and Progress" by Jeff Kearns, December 2025.

Symbols and Progress
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