Catalog
1/2 Koula - Salote Tupou III
| Issuer | Government of Tonga |
|---|---|
| Year | 1962 |
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| Reference(s) | KM#2a, Schön#2b |
| Obverse description | The Royal Arms of Tonga displayed prominently in the centre of the field, comprising a quartered shield with a cross and stars in the upper quarters, a dove and crossed weapons in the lower quarters, and a small crown at the centre. The shield is supported by two warriors holding Tongan national flags, surmounted by a royal crown flanked by laurel branches. A ribbon below the shield bears the national motto in Tongan. The denomination legend HALF KOULA arcs across the upper field, while TONGA appears in large letters along the lower periphery, all within a beaded border. |
|---|---|
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| Reverse description | Full-length effigy of Queen Salote Tupou III standing facing left, depicted in formal attire consisting of a long floral-patterned dress and a sash with decorations, her hands clasped before her. The legend SALOTE to the left and TUPOU III to the right arc along the upper periphery flanking the figure, while the date 1962 appears in the lower exergue. The portrait is rendered in fine relief against a mirror-polished field, all within a beaded border. |
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| Additional information |
Tonga's 1962 platinum issues were struck for the coronation jubilee of Queen Salote Tupou III, who by that year had reigned for over four decades — an extraordinary tenure for any Pacific monarch. The platinum variant was produced in extremely limited numbers alongside gold and silver counterparts, intended as presentation pieces rather than circulating currency. Salote herself was internationally prominent following her widely remarked attendance at Elizabeth II's coronation in 1953, where she rode open-topped through London rain and became one of the most talked-about figures of the ceremony.
The KM#2a / Schön#2b designation distinguishes this platinum striking from the more commonly encountered base metal issues of the same type.