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10 Tala - Tanumafili II The Victorian Age
| Issuer | Samoa |
|---|---|
| Year | 1996 |
| Type | Non-circulating coin |
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| Obverse description | The national arms of Samoa are depicted centrally, featuring a quartered shield superimposed on a globe, surmounted by a cross, and flanked by two olive branches tied at the base with a scroll bearing the national motto FAAVAE ILE ATUA SAMOA. The country name SAMOA I SISIFO arcs along the upper periphery in bold Latin lettering, while the denomination $10 appears in the lower field beneath the arms. |
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| Reverse description | The central field presents a finely engraved group portrait of Queen Victoria surrounded by members of her family, rendered in high relief against a mirror-polished background. The figures are depicted seated and standing in formal Victorian attire, with the crowned Queen prominently positioned at centre-left among several family members including children. An inner circle frames the portrait composition. The upper legend VICTORIAN AGE arcs along the outer rim, with the subtitle A FAMILY PORTRAIT inscribed along the inner border above the scene. The date 1996 is positioned in the lower exergue. |
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| Additional information |
Issued as part of a wave of commemorative silver produced for the 1997 centenary of Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee, this Samoan piece reflects the Pacific island nation's continued engagement with British imperial commemorative culture well after independence. Samoa had no meaningful connection to the Victorian court, making these issues essentially bullion-adjacent collectibles aimed at the Commonwealth commemorative market rather than any domestic historical purpose.
Tanumafili II, who signed off on such issues as head of state, held that position until his death in 2007 — the last remaining head of state to have been appointed for life under traditional Samoan custom.