2022-07-12 Tue

The Kina is the currency of Papua New Guinea. The name Kina is derived from the Kuanua language of the Tolai region, referring to a callable pearl shell used widely for trading in both the Coastal and Highlands areas of the country.

The kina was introduced on 19 May 1975 and circulated along with the Australian dollar until 31 December 1975. Papua New Guinea started issuing banknotes with the denominations of 2, 5 and 10 kinas. By 2008, the country had completed issuing polymer banknotes.

Shown above is the 5 Kina banknote of 2008. The banknote, on the obverse, depicts the Bird of Paradise - National Emblem symbolizing National Unity; National Parliament Building; The background tints surrounding the National Crest on the front of this denomination have been composed of patterns taken from the following items: The Parliament House design; Shield from the Gulf Province; Sepik clay pot and Ramu River shields from Madang area.

The reverse of the banknote features four items of traditional Papua New Guinea Currencies": a Hombuli mask which is used for bridal payments in the Sepik area; a Kina shell necklace woven with seeds found in the New Ireland Province; The background tints for this design have been composed of Parliament House design; Northern Province Tapa cloth; Milne Bay shield tortoiseshell bracelets from the Huon Gulf area.

Image Courtesy: theibns.org