Tonga’s Reserve Bank has warned people to keep an eye out for fake currency after a Houma shopkeeper posted photos of a defaced paʻanga coin on line.
However, the Bank said it had not received any official reports of a defaced coin.
Mary ‘Ahio became concerned after an apparently defaced Tongan coin was used to buy goods from her shop.
This morning Tonga Reserve Bank warned members of the public to carefully check all coins and banknotes they were using.
‘Ahio took photos of the one paʻanga coin and uploaded it to Facebook.
She said the coin did not clearly show the images of the king and the seal of Tonga as it should.
‘Ahio said it was hard to tell whether or not the images had been intentionally removed or something had gone wrong when it was produced.
The Tonga National Reserve Bank said it had not seen any fake money.
“The National Reserve Bank of Tonga wishes to inform the general public that the Reserve Bank has not received any report of a 1 Pa’anga counterfeit coin.
“The Reserve Bank has prepared a pamphlet outlining security features to assist members of the public in identifying genuine coins and banknotes. Pamphlets are available free of charge from the National Reserve Bank of Tonga or can be downloaded from the Reserve Bank website on www.reservebank.to
“Members of the public and the business community are again reminded to carefully check all currency coins and banknotes which come into their possession. Counterfeit coins and banknotes carry zero value and will not be accepted by the Commercial Banks or the Reserve Bank.
“The Public is urged to report and submit any counterfeit coins and banknotes to the National Reserve Bank of Tonga and Police for further examination and further appropriate action. Makers and distributors of counterfeits are breaking Section 59 and 61 of the Criminal Offences Act 1988.”
Tongan coins are produced by the Royal Australian Mint.
The main points
- Tonga’s Reserve Bank has warned people to keep an eye out for fake currency after a Houma shopkeeper posted photos of a defaced sēniti on line.
- However, the Bank said it had not received any official reports of a defaced coin.
- Mary ‘Ahio became concerned after an apparently defaced Tongan sēniti was used to buy goods from her shop.
- This morning Tonga Reserve Bank warned members of the public to carefully check all coins and banknotes they were using.
