The Samoa 2026 100 Tālā Commemorative Banknote: A Tribute to Queen Elizabeth II

On September 10, 2026, the Central Bank of Samoa issued a vertical, legal tender 100 tālā commemorative banknote, honoring the life and legacy of Queen Elizabeth II on the occasion of the centenary of her birth in 1926. This is one of the most elaborate and technically sophisticated pieces of Pacific numismatics in recent years, featuring hand-engravings by one of the world's most renowned banknote engravers and an extremely limited mintage.

If you are looking for the Samoa 2026 100 tālā commemorative banknote (Elizabeth II) in UNC (uncirculated) condition for your collection or investment, Iberoamericana Banknotes offers authentic verified specimens, with certification and secure international shipping. This article details everything you need to know.

Historical Context: The 1977 Royal Visit to Western Samoa

The 100 tālā denomination is no coincidence: it was specifically chosen to commemorate the centenary of Elizabeth II's birth. But the link between the Queen and Samoa goes beyond a symbolic tribute. On February 11, 1977, Elizabeth II and Prince Philip visited then-Western Samoa as part of their Silver Jubilee tour, received by the Samoan Head of State, Malietoa Tanumafili II. That visit, the first by a reigning British monarch to Samoa, is still considered one of the most important events in the country's recent history, and it is precisely this episode that illustrates the reverse of this commemorative banknote.

Banknote Design: Three Portraits of a Life

Obverse (front):

• Three portraits of Elizabeth II spanning different stages of her life: in the center-right, an engraving of the iconic 1934 childhood portrait (photograph by Marcus Adams, engraved by Edwin H. Gunn), the same image that appeared on the 1935 Canadian 20-dollar banknote, showing an eight-year-old princess; in the center-left, an engraving of a 1951 photograph by Yousuf Karsh, with the then-Princess; and at the top, an engraving of a 2007 photograph by Bill Ingalls, with the Queen in her later years of reign.
• Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, one of Samoa's oldest churches, in tribute to the Christian faith of the Samoan people.
• Samoan forest scene at the top of the background.
• Green sea turtle and an outrigger canoe (vaʻa) sailing on ocean waves, symbols of migration, fishing, and Pacific culture.
• Royal cypher of the Queen and coat of arms of Samoa.
• Signature of the Central Bank Governor, Maiava Atalina Ainuu-Enari, alongside the commemorative text "COMMEMORATING THE 100TH BIRTH ANNIVERSARY OF QUEEN ELIZABETH II".
• Traditional Lapita patterns, based on original pottery found in Samoa, in the background.

Reverse (back):

• Historic photograph of the 1977 royal visit: Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, and Malietoa Tanumafili II, all wearing traditional Samoan necklaces (‘ula).
• Fuipisia Falls, on Upolu island.
• The sailing ship "De Arend" ("The Eagle"), flagship of the Dutch explorer Jacob Roggeveen, European discoverer of Samoa in June 1722, a special nod to the Netherlands, where the banknote was printed.
• Ruins of the London Missionary Society church, in the Sale'aula lava field (Savai'i), buried by eruptions of Mount Matavanu between 1905 and 1911, in remembrance of the archipelago's volcanic origins.
• Traditional Lapita patterns in the background.

A First-Class Engraving and Art Process

The banknote's design was created by Christian David Petermann and Mike Vos, from the Enschedé printing house, while the new engravings of the Queen's portraits were hand-engraved by Martin Mörck, a renowned Swedish engraver and banknote artist (born in 1955 in Gothenburg), whose work enjoys international prestige within the security printing industry. The obverse was printed using a six-color offset process, including an iris effect, and the ocean waves incorporate a transparent iridescent ink applied by screen printing, which creates an attractive visual effect depending on the viewing angle. The reverse was also printed in six offset colors, with its own rainbow effect.

Security Features

The banknote's security features include:

• Transparent window with the Samoan plumeria flower, a symbol of beauty, charm, and grace.
• Microtext on both sides of the banknote.
• UV luminescence on both sides, visible under ultraviolet light.

Technical Specifications: Mintage, Serials, and Printer

For the most demanding collectors, these are the official technical data of the issue, confirmed by the Central Bank of Samoa itself:

• Issuer: Central Bank of Samoa.
• Year of issue: 2026.
• Denomination: 100 tālā.
• Mintage: 20,000 copies.
• Serial numbering: prefix QEII, from 00001 to 20000.
• Specimen: 100 copies.
• Uncut sheets: 125 sheets of 8 banknotes each.
• Replacement notes: none (this issue does not include replacement notes).
• Size: 140 x 72 mm.
• Substrate: PolySecure® polymer, from Q&T Hi-Tech Polymer, manufactured in Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park, near Hanoi (Vietnam). This is only the sixth banknote in the world printed on this substrate, following the four low-denomination Vietnamese polymer banknotes (dated 24 and 25) and the <u>São Tomé and Príncipe 2026 50 Dobras commemorative banknote</u> (link to product page), which we already covered in our blog.
• Printer: Royal Joh. Enschedé, in Haarlem (Netherlands), part of the Authentix group.

In addition, the Central Bank of Samoa has made an exclusive commemorative brochure available for the first 1,000 banknotes issued. It is important to note that, according to the official statement, this banknote is not intended for general circulation, so the central bank has recommended that the public contact the institution directly for more information on its acquisition.

Numismatic and Collectible Value

Several factors make this piece one of the most relevant commemorative issues of the year worldwide:

1. Extremely limited and officially verified mintage — Only 20,000 copies, with serial data, specimen, and uncut sheets published directly by the issuing bank.
2. First-class artistic engraving — The Queen's portraits were hand-engraved by Martin Mörck, one of the world's most renowned banknote engravers, which places this piece among the most prestigious commemorative issues in the industry.
3. Pioneering substrate technology — The PolySecure® polymer has only been used in five banknotes worldwide before this one, making it a benchmark piece for collectors specializing in substrate innovation.
4. Not intended for general circulation — Unlike other commemorative issues that do circulate alongside regular money, this piece has a nature closer to a collector's edition, which reinforces its appeal and predictable future scarcity in the secondary market.
5. Strong historical and emotional significance — It commemorates both the centenary of the Queen's birth and the historic 1977 royal visit to Samoa, two milestones rarely combined in a single numismatic piece.

At Iberoamericana Banknotes, you will find specimens of the Samoa 2026 100 tālā commemorative banknote UNC, individually packaged, with detailed photos of the obverse, reverse, and security features.

Why is it Important for Collectors?

The issuance of this banknote marks a significant milestone in global numismatics:

• Tribute to the centenary of the birth of one of the most iconic figures in modern Commonwealth history.
• Artistic engraving by one of the greatest living masters in the banknote industry.
• Sixth banknote in the world printed on the innovative PolySecure® substrate.
• Mintage and serial data fully documented by the issuing bank itself, a rare transparency in commemorative issues of this scale.

Why Buy the 100 Tālā Commemorative Banknote from Iberoamericana Banknotes?

• Guaranteed authenticity.
• Competitive prices and attractive packages.
• Secure and discreet international shipping.
• Specialized support for collectors.
• Constant updates on new issues from the Pacific and the Commonwealth.

Explore our Oceania banknotes section and acquire your specimen of the Samoa 100 tālā commemorative banknote today. Don't miss out on this unique piece, with an extremely limited mintage, first-class artistic engraving, and deep historical significance!

Sources: Press release from the Central Bank of Samoa and Donald Ludwig