Papua New Guinea Honours Former Leader

The Bank of Papua New Guinea has issued a new 100 kina banknote, commemorating the first anniversary of the death of the late Sir Julius Chan, one of the nation’s most influential political and economic leaders. This permanent design, which will replace the 100 kina of 2021, introduces a portrait of the former Prime Minister on the reverse, accompanied by narrative symbols of Papua New Guinea’s maritime trading history.

Speaking at the launch event for the new note, the Bank’s Governor, Elizabeth Genia, said that Sir Julius Chan was an important national leader whose early decisions shaped the modern financial landscape of Papua New Guinea.

Symbols of traditional commerce accompany his portrait – a toea armband, kina breast ornament, lakatoi, and a shark caller – symbolising Papua New Guinea’s history as a trading nation even before the introduction of the modern currency.

The front of the banknote retains the iconic image of Parliament House, along with the national crest – a bird of paradise sitting on a Kundu drum and spear.