Banknotes of Western Samoa: A History of Currency Issuance
The evolution of paper money in Western Samoa reflects the region's shifting administrative control, moving from military occupation to government treasury oversight and eventually to a dedicated national banking system. The transition of these banknotes provides a clear timeline of the territory's economic administration.
The Era of Military Occupation (1915–1921)
The first provisional banknotes appeared in 1915, though they were dated 1914. These notes were issued by the New Zealand Occupying Military force to establish a stable medium of exchange during the occupation. Rather than printing new currency from scratch, the military used overprinted notes from the Bank of New Zealand, which were officially signed by Lt. Colonel Logan.
Initially, these provisional issues were limited to denominations of one pound and five pounds. As the need for smaller denominations grew, overprinted ten shilling notes from the Bank of New Zealand were introduced in 1920.
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Transition to Treasury Notes (1922–1961)
By 1922, the administration shifted from military-led currency to official government issuance. Treasury Notes were introduced, issued "by the authority of the New Zealand Government." These notes standardized the currency available to the public in three specific denominations: 10 shillings, 1 pound, and 5 pounds.
This system remained the primary method of paper money issuance for nearly four decades, providing a consistent monetary framework until the early 1960s.
The Establishment of the Bank of Western Samoa
A significant shift occurred in 1961 when the Bank of Western Samoa assumed responsibility for the issuance of paper money. To ensure a smooth transition, the Bank's first issues were not entirely new designs but were instead overprints on the existing Treasury Notes.
This transitional phase was short-lived. By 1963, the Bank introduced regular type notes, maintaining the same denominations as the previous Treasury issues but utilizing a dedicated design for the new banking institution.
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Key Facts
- First Issues: Provisional notes issued in 1915 (dated 1914) by the New Zealand Occupying Military force.
- Early Authority: Initial notes were overprinted Bank of New Zealand currency signed by Lt. Colonel Logan.
- Treasury Era: New Zealand Government Treasury Notes were used from 1922 to 1961.
- Standard Denominations: 10 shillings, 1 pound, and 5 pounds.
- Banking Transition: The Bank of Western Samoa took over issuance in 1961, introducing regular type notes in 1963.
| Period | Issuing Authority | Note Type | Denominations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1915–1921 | NZ Occupying Military force | Overprinted Bank of NZ notes | 10s, £1, £5 |
| 1922–1961 | NZ Government | Treasury Notes | 10s, £1, £5 |
| 1961–1963 | Bank of Western Samoa | Overprinted Treasury Notes | 10s, £1, £5 |
| 1963 onwards | Bank of Western Samoa | Regular type notes | 10s, £1, £5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who signed the first provisional banknotes in 1915?
The first provisional notes, which were overprinted Bank of New Zealand notes, were signed by Lt. Colonel Logan.
What denominations were available during the Treasury Note era?
Treasury Notes issued by the New Zealand Government were available in denominations of 10 shillings, 1 pound, and 5 pounds.
When did the Bank of Western Samoa begin issuing currency?
The Bank of Western Samoa took over the issuance of paper money in 1961.
How did the Bank of Western Samoa transition to its own notes?
The bank initially used overprints on existing Treasury Notes before introducing its own regular type notes in 1963.
Were the 1915 notes printed specifically for the occupation?
No, they were provisional notes created by overprinting existing Bank of New Zealand one pound and five pound notes.