On Friday, December 5, 2025, the Central Bank of Samoa announced the upcoming release of new 50- and 100-tālā banknotes printed on the Safeguard® polymer substrate. The first day of issue is Monday, December 8, 2025.

The conversion of the paper series began with the issuance of the polymer 5-tālā banknote in December 2023, followed by the polymer 10- and 20-tālā banknotes in January 2024. All new polymer banknotes have been designed and printed by De La Rue.

 

Samoa's polymer series demonstrates the bank's commitment to improving the durability, security, and overall quality of Samoa's currency. The main features of the upgrade to polymer are:
- The new designs retain the existing banknote designs, but adapted for polymer. This includes a transparent window on each banknote.
- The new designs incorporate upgraded security elements for efficient authentication and machine processing.
- The new designs include tactile embossed security elements, making them easily identifiable for visually impaired individuals. Each denomination carries a unique pattern of raised dots.

 

Specifically, the following security features adorn both the polymer 50- and 100-tālā banknotes:
- a transparent window featuring Samoa's national flower, the teuila, is located on the left. ILLUMINATE™, a combination of matte and iridescent inks, injects vivid color and unique texture into the polymer window for an eye-catching effect, enhancing the counterfeit resilience of the note.
- The Optiks™ security feature on the right on the paper banknotes was replaced by an oval ARGENTUM™ patch integrated into the design. ARGENTUM™ is a specialized silver ink that creates a highly reflective and visually striking image.
- GEMINI™ and BLINK™: Under UV light, GEMINI™ reveals fluorescent colors, and BLINK™ adds a prominent denomination number in a phosphorescent green block for enhanced authentication.

The obverse of the 50-tālā banknote portrays the Samoan Government Building in downtown Apia, the capital of the country. The office of the Prime Minister and those of various other governmental officials are located in this building. The Central Bank of Samoa building, located beside the Government Building in Apia is featured on the reverse of the banknote.

The obverse of the 100-tālā banknote portrays Malietoa Tanumafili II (1913-2007), a Samoan paramount chief and politician who served as head of state of Samoa from its independence in 1962 until his death in 2007. The reverse of the note shows the historic Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Apia. It suffered damage in the earthquake of 2009 and underwent extensive restoration and extension. The image on the banknote shows the pre-earthquake church.

The full introduction of polymer notes marks a significant step in modernizing Samoa's currency, reinforcing its integrity while delivering secure and durable banknotes. The new notes will circulate alongside the existing paper notes, which will remain legal tender until they are gradually withdrawn through the normal circulation process.

 

Donald Ludwig, December 5, 2025