Samoan tala

Infobox Currency
currency_name_in_local = Samoa tālā sm icon
image_title_1 = 5 Tala 1985
iso_code = WST
using_countries = Samoa
inflation_rate = 3.3%
inflation_source_date = " [https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2092.html The World Factbook] ", 2005
subunit_ratio_1 = 1/100
subunit_name_1 = sene
symbol = WS$ (sometimes SAT, ST or T)
used_coins = 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 sene, 1 tala
used_banknotes = 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 tala
issuing_authority = Central Bank of Samoa
issuing_authority_website = www.cbs.gov.wsThe tala is the currency of Samoa. It is divided into 100 sene. The names are Samoan equivalents of the English "dollar" and "cent".

The tala was introduced in 1967. Until that time, Samoa had used the pound, with coins from New Zealand and its own banknotes. The tala replaced the pound at a rate of 2 tala = 1 pound, and was therefore equal to the New Zealand dollar. The tala remained equal to the New Zealand dollar until 1975.

The symbol WS$ is usually used for the tala [http://www.visitsamoa.ws/samoa/export/sites/STA/travinfo/money.html] , though SAT [http://www.samoarealty.ws/commercial_properties/top_cp.htm Samoa Realty Ltd - Lands For Sale ] ] , ST [ [http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/destinations/pacific/samoa?a=facts Samoa Travel Guide: Overview - Lonely Planet WorldGuide ] ] and T [ [http://fx.sauder.ubc.ca/currency_table.html Currencies of the World ] ] also appear to be in use as well. Sometimes figures are written with the dollar sign in front and "tala" afterwards—e.g. $100 tala [ [http://www.cbs.gov.ws/currency/collectables/ :: THE CENTRAL BANK OF SAMOA | Currency | Collector's Currency | Index :: ] ] .

Coins

In 1967, coins were introduced for 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 sene. Except for the bronze 1 and 2 sene, these coins were struck in cupro-nickel. Aluminium-bronze 1 tala coins were introduced in 1984.

Banknotes

In 1967, the "Bank of Western Samoa" introduced notes for 1, 2 and 10 tala. 5 tala notes were added in 1980 when the "Monetary Board of Western Samoa" took over paper money issuance. In 1984, 1 tala notes were replaced by coins and 20 tala notes were introduced. In 1985, the "Central Bank of Samoa" issued its first notes for 2, 5, 10 and 20 tala, with 50 and 100 tala notes introduced in 1990. Polymer 2 tala notes were also introduced in 1990. New, paper notes for 5 to 100 tala were introduced in late 2005, making it unlikely that more polymer notes will be introduced in the near future.

ee also

* Economy of Samoa

References

External links

Standard numismatics external links
world_coin_gallery_1_url = Samoa
world_coin_gallery_1_name = Western Samoa
banknote_world_1_url = western_samoa
banknote_world_1_name = Western Samoa
dollarization_1_url = ws
dollarization_1_name = Samoa
gfd_1_url = Samoa_(Western)
gfd_1_name = Samoa (Western)
gfd_data_1_url =
gfd_data_1_name =
show_gfd_excel = Y
* [http://www.cbs.gov.ws/currency/collectables/ COLLECTOR'S CURRENCY]
* [http://bestbanknotes.com/intro.html Historic Samoan banknotes]