Princess Angelika Tuku’aho of Tonga, High Commissioner of her country to Australia, struck the first new Tonga’s coins with the portrait of her father King Tupou VI. She did so at a historic ceremony at the Royal Australian Mint in Canberra.
The coins will be brought into circulation later this year. "I'm very proud and honoured to be able to strike the coins today," she said, according to 7 News. "This is also in celebration of His Majesty's coronation that is coming up in July."
The Princess joined in a ceremony in which three Pacific Island nations introduced their new coins in Australia. Not only Tonga is to get new coins, but also the Cook Islands and Vanuatu. "The Royal Australian Mint has demonstrated how valuable knowledge, technology and production facilities may be shared across borders and they are to be commended for that”, The Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer, Kelly O’Dwyer said.
Ross MacDiarmid, CEO of the Mint, was proud his company has been able to assist no less than five countries with coinage reforms over three years. “We have been able to assist our neighbours in producing smaller, lighter coins with designs of cultural significance to the people,” said MacDiarmid. “Their new coins are now in line with international trends resulting in lower production costs which translate into savings for the countries.”
The new coins will be launched in each country over the coming months, the Mint stated in a press release. The three coinage reforms are timed to recognise significant national milestones, namely 50 years of self-government for the Cook Islands, the coronation of King Tupou VI and the 35th Anniversary of Independence for Vanuatu. © RB; Source: Royal Australian Mint; 7 News
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