Basic Data:

• Country ISO Code: WS

• Official Languages: Samoan (Gagana Fa’asāmoa) and English

• Language ISO Codes: sm (Samoan), en (English)

• Current Official Currency: Samoan Tala

• Current Currency ISO Code: WST

Complete Financial History of the Independent State of Samoa:

Current Official Currency: Samoan Tala (WST)

• Currency ISO Code: WST

• Designs / Symbols on Coins and Banknotes:

  • Coins: feature Samoan cultural symbols, local fauna, and traditional elements.

  • Banknotes: portraits of national leaders, cultural symbols, natural landscapes, and historical icons of Samoa.

• Singular Name: tala

• Plural Name: tala

• Monetary Subdivision: 1 tala = 100 sene

• Fraction Name Singular: sene

• Fraction Name Plural: sene

• Initial Production Date: 1967, when Samoa was still known as Western Samoa and began issuing its own currency.

• End Production Date: still in circulation

• Initial Circulation Date: 1967

• End Circulation Date: still in circulation

• Mint: Produced by international mints, including the Royal Australian Mint.

• Issuing Bank: Central Bank of Samoa

• Coin Denominations Minted: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 sene; 1 tala

• Banknote Denominations Issued: 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 tala

Historical and Economic Context:

• Samoa, formerly known as Western Samoa until 1997, gained independence from New Zealand in 1962.

• The adoption of the Samoan tala in 1967 replaced the New Zealand dollar, affirming the country’s economic sovereignty.

• Samoa’s economy is primarily based on agriculture, fishing, tourism, and remittances from abroad.

• The Central Bank of Samoa regulates monetary policy and currency issuance.

Current Circulation Status:

• The Samoan tala is the official and sole currency in circulation in the country since 1967.

Issuing Authority:

• Central Bank of Samoa

Relevant Monetary Legislation:

• Samoa Currency Act and related financial and monetary regulations.

Persons Honored on Coins and Banknotes:

• National leaders, historical figures, and cultural and natural symbols of Samoa appear on banknotes and coins.

Summary of Coins and Banknotes Currently in Circulation:

This report presents the financial history of the Independent State of Samoa, highlighting the adoption of the Samoan tala as the official currency since 1967, its historical and economic context, and the current currency structure in circulation.