The 1962 Tongan platinum issues were struck by the Royal Mint as part of a prestige proof set commemorating Queen Salote Tupou III's 40th anniversary of accession. Platinum was an unusual choice — most comparable royal issues from this period used gold — and the series is consequently one of the earliest circulating-authority platinum coinages of the 20th century.
Salote's international profile had risen sharply after her appearance at Elizabeth II's 1953 coronation, where she famously rode in an open carriage through the London rain refusing to close the hood out of respect for the occasion.
The 1962 Tongan platinum issues were struck by the Royal Mint as part of a prestige proof set commemorating Queen Salote Tupou III's 40th anniversary of accession. Platinum was an unusual choice — most comparable royal issues from this period used gold — and the series is consequently one of the earliest circulating-authority platinum coinages of the 20th century.
Salote's international profile had risen sharply after her appearance at Elizabeth II's 1953 coronation, where she famously rode in an open carriage through the London rain refusing to close the hood out of respect for the occasion.