2 tala 1985
About This Note
This is a pristine uncirculated specimen of the Western Samoa 2 tala banknote from 1985 (Pick P-25), marked with a red 'SPECIMEN' overprint. The note features an elegant light blue and purple color scheme with intricate engraving throughout, displaying the Samoan flag and a portrait of an elderly woodcarver on the obverse, and a tropical landscape with traditional fale structures on the reverse. As a specimen note with no circulation wear and sharp, clear engraving detail, this represents an excellent example of Central Bank of Samoa currency design from the mid-1980s.
common. The 2 tala 1985 Western Samoa note (Pick P-25) is a standard issue banknote from a well-established Central Bank with substantial print runs. While specimen notes are less common than circulation notes, this denomination and date remain readily available in the numismatic market at modest values (typically $15-30 USD). No known printing variances, recall conditions, or short-lived issuing circumstances would elevate this to rare status.
Western Samoa issued this 2 tala denomination during a period of economic and cultural development in the 1980s, following the nation's independence. The design elements—the national flag, the traditional woodcarver performing cultural work, and the iconic fale (Samoan house) set in a tropical landscape—reflect the nation's pride in its Samoan heritage and traditional crafts. The inclusion of both Samoan and English text, along with the national motto 'God be with Samoa' on the reverse, demonstrates the bilingual and multicultural identity of the newly independent nation.
The obverse (front) features a striking portrait of a Samoan woodcarver in profile, rendered in fine grayscale engraving, seated and working with traditional fibers or plant materials, positioned on the right side of the note. The Samoan flag appears prominently on the left-center portion. Large ornamental medallion designs in dark blue with flower motifs frame the left and right edges, containing denomination markers with dollar signs. The reverse depicts an idyllic tropical landscape scene centered on a traditional Samoan fale—the distinctive peaked-roof dwelling structure characteristic of Samoan architecture—set amid palm trees with calm lagoon waters in the foreground. A central coat of arms seal featuring a cross and laurel wreath design (bearing the national motto) is positioned below the landscape. Both sides employ decorative rainbow-colored borders at top and bottom, with the overall color palette of light blue, purple, dark blue, and gray creating an elegant tropical aesthetic.
FRONT SIDE: 'FALETUPE TUTUTONU O SAMOA' (Central Bank of Samoa), 'TUPE FA'ATAGAINA-MALO O SAMOA | SISIFO' (Legal tender of the Government of Samoa | Western), 'LEGAL TENDER IN WESTERN SAMOA' (English version of legal tender declaration), '$2' / 'LUA TALA' / 'TWO TALA' (denomination in numeric, Samoan, and English), 'B000000' (specimen serial number), 'SPECIMEN' (specimen designation), 'MINISTER OF FINANCE' (authorized official title), 'CENTRAL BANK OF SAMOA' (issuing authority). BACK SIDE: 'FALETUPE TUTUTONU O SAMOA' (Central Bank of Samoa), '$2' / 'TWO TALA' / 'IUA TALA' (denomination markers), 'FA'ASAE LE ATUA SAMOA' (national motto: 'God be with Samoa'), 'SPECIMEN' (specimen designation), 'CENTRAL BANK OF SAMOA' (issuing authority).
This banknote was produced using intaglio (copperplate engraving) printing, evidenced by the fine-line detail work visible throughout the design, particularly in the guilloche patterns in the corner medallions, the detailed landscape engraving on the reverse, and the intricate portraiture on the obverse. The precision of the fine-line work and the multi-color security printing visible in the decorative borders suggests production by an established security printer. The 1985 Western Samoa notes were typically produced by De La Rue or similar high-security printers, though specific attribution requires additional documentation.
This example is a red-overprinted SPECIMEN note with serial number B000000, indicating it is a specimen issue rather than a regular circulation note. Specimen notes of this issue are known and represent a distinct variety from standard circulation examples. Regular circulation issues of this note exist with various serial number prefixes, but the specimen overprint distinguishes this particular variety. No other significant varieties (such as signature or security feature changes) have been documented for this Pick number in 1985.
