Tonga marked the coronation of George Tupou V with new money: the 100 came first, at the end of July 2008, and the remaining denominations, this 50 pa’anga (P42a) among them, entered circulation in January 2009. So the notes came to carry a king who had acceded to the throne in September 2006 on the death of his father.

The coronation festivities lasted five days and culminated on 1 August 2008 in Nukuʻalofa. Three days before the ceremonies the king announced that he was giving up most of his executive powers in favour of an elected parliament, while remaining head of state.

The backs of the series draw on Tongan life: the palace, the royal tombs, the reserve bank building, the harbour at Vavaʻu, a school and whale watching. The 50 received the palace, the monarch’s official residence.

The reign proved short: George Tupou V died in Hong Kong on 18 March 2012, aged 63, and the throne passed to his younger brother. The note is UNC and has never circulated.