Tonga Introduces New Series of Banknotes into Circulation

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The National Reserve Bank of Tonga (NRBT) unveils new series of banknotes featuring Polymer substrates and enhanced security features. On December 4, the National Reserve Bank of Tonga (NRBT) marked a significant milestone with the launch of Tonga's new series of banknotes. The chosen date for the release holds special significance as it commemorates the birthday of King Tupou I, a key modernizer who reigned from 1845 to 1893. Produced in collaboration with De La Rue, the new banknote series incorporates both paper and polymer substrates, introducing updated security elements to enhance durability and deter counterfeiting. This redesign represents Tonga's first use of polymer in its currency since 2015. The series comprises 2-, 5-, 10-, 20-, 50-, and 100-pa’anga notes, with the colors remaining unchanged. Notably, the 5- and 10-pa’anga denominations have transitioned to polymer due to its proven durability, particularly for extensively circulated notes. With one pa’anga being e...

Inspiring Banknote Collection: Cricket and Its Players

Paper money collectors often focus on a specific nation or even a particular series. This column is designed to offer ideas for building a collection of notes from around the world centered on a cricket theme. While cricket stands as the most popular sport globally, engaging approximately a quarter of the planet's population as fans, it's interesting to note that there are relatively fewer banknotes featuring both its players and the sport.

Exploring this niche can add a unique dimension to your collection, capturing the essence of a sport cherished by millions worldwide. Consider seeking out these distinctive banknotes to enrich your collection and showcase the diverse ways in which cricket is celebrated across different cultures and regions.

Most of the $5 banknotes from Barbados feature the bust of Sir Frank Worrell on the obverse. However, the banknotes issued in the 2013 series showcase the 3Ws Oval cricket field in Barbados on the reverse side, honoring three legendary cricket players: Sir Frank Worrell, Sir Clyde Walcott, and Sir Everton Weekes, whose surnames all begin with 'W.'

Furthermore, the banknote improved with the 2022 series, featuring a cricket game at the 3Ws Oval cricket facility at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus in Barbados on the reverse side.

Sir Frank Mortimer Maglinne Worrell (1 August 1924 – 13 March 1967), affectionately known by his nickname 'Tae,' was a distinguished West Indies cricketer and Jamaican senator. Recognized as a stylish right-handed batsman and a proficient left-arm seam bowler, he gained prominence in the 1950s as the second black captain of the West Indies cricket team. Alongside Sir Everton Weekes and Sir Clyde Walcott, Worrell formed the renowned 'The Three Ws' of West Indian cricket. Notably, he remains the only batsman to have participated in two 500-run partnerships.

The $20 banknotes from the Bank of Jamaica featured the portrait of Noel Newton Nethersole from 1976 to 2000.

Nethersole did not play cricket for the university team during his time at Oxford, choosing to focus on his studies. However, he participated in five Minor Counties Championship matches for Oxfordshire during the 1926 season, batting in the middle order and opening the bowling. Oxfordshire secured a second-place finish. His first-class debut for Jamaica took place in 1926–27, where he opened the bowling and batted in the lower order in a match against L.H. Tennyson's XI. In addition to his playing career, Nethersole made significant contributions off the field. He served on the West Indies Cricket Board of Control from 1939 to 1955, simultaneously taking on roles as the Jamaican team's manager and a West Indian selector.

The Eastern Caribbean banknote, recently issued in 2023, features a commemorative design with the portrait of Sir Isaac Vivian Alexander Richards ("The Master Blaster") wielding a cricket bat.

Sir Isaac Vivian Alexander Richards is an Antiguan retired cricketer who represented the West Indies cricket team from 1974 to 1991. Typically batting at number three in a dominant West Indies side, Richards is widely acclaimed as one of the greatest batsmen of all time.

It's unfortunate that, despite being the most popular sport globally, there are only a few banknotes available for collection. This blog post could prove helpful to some of you, and it would be appreciated if you could share it with others.

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