Code PGK Plural kina Symbol K | 1/100 toea toea toea | |
Banknotes 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 kina | ||
The kina (ISO 4217 code: PGK) is the currency of Papua New Guinea. It is divided into 100 toea. The kina was introduced on 19 April 1975, replacing the Australian dollar at par. The name kina is derived from Kuanua language of the Tolai region, referring to a callable pearl shell used widely for trading in both the Coastal and Highlands areas of the country.
For earlier currencies used in Papua New Guinea, see New Guinea pound and New Guinea mark.
Coins
In 1975, coins were introduced for 1, 2, 5, 10 and 20 toea and 1 kina. The 1 and 2 toea were minted in bronze, with the others in cupronickel. The 1 kina is round and holed in the centre, this denomination was reduced in size starting from 2006, and the larger coin was demonetised from the 31 December 2008. 2008 also saw the introduction of a bimetallic 2 kina coin intended to replace the 2 kina note. The withdrawal of the 1 and 2 toea coins also occurred in 2006 and as from the 19 April 2007 are also no longer legal tender. In 1980, 50 toea coins were introduced but only issued in commemorative form without a standard design.