Samoa P-47 P-W47 B123 5 Tala ND 2023 UNC—Polymer—Beach—R. L. Stevenson

Samoa P-47 P-W47 B123 5 Tala ND 2023 UNC—Polymer—Beach—R. L. Stevenson

• Variety: one variety only
• Catalog Numbers: Pick P-47, The Banknote Book (TBB) #123
• Color: Reds, pinks, purples/lavenders
• Front:
  • Sandy beach reflecting Samoa’s tourism industry
• Back:
  • Villa Vailima, former residence of Robert Louis Stevenson, now the Robert Louis Stevenson Museum
  • National Coat of Arms of Samoa
• Security Features:
  • UV Activity: Yes (365 nm)
• Signatures: Lautimuia Uelese Vaʻai, Minister of Finance & Maiava Atalina Emma Ainuu-Enari, Governor
• Currency: Samoan Tālā (ISO code: WST, 1967–date; phonetic adaptation of “dollar” in the Samoan language, d→t, r→l)
• Denomination: 5 Tālā
• Composition: Polymer (SAFEGUARD™)
• Size: 139 × 71 mm
• Issued: 18 December 2023
• Printer: De La Rue, London, United Kingdom
• Country: The Samoan Islands were an independent Kingdom with US, British, and German interests (1878–1899); partitioned by the Tripartite Convention (1899); the western part became German Samoa (1900–1914); New Zealand-administered Western Samoa (1914–1962); Western Samoa (independence in 1962–1997); (Republic of) Samoa (1997–present). The eastern part forms the separate US territory of American Samoa (1900–present) which uses the US dollar.

Samoa’s Beaches: The Face of Paradise on the Obverse

The front of this Samoa 5 Tālā polymer banknote, issued by the Central Bank of Samoa and printed by De La Rue, features one of the island nation’s iconic sandy beaches — a deliberate tribute to tourism, Samoa’s primary economic driver. With crystal-clear lagoons, white sand, and lush tropical backdrops, Samoan beaches are among the most celebrated in the South Pacific, drawing visitors from around the world to experience a way of life deeply rooted in the concept of faʻaSamoa — the Samoan way.

Villa Vailima & Robert Louis Stevenson: A Literary Legacy on the Reverse

Villa Vailima was the home of Robert Louis Stevenson — the Scottish author of Treasure Island and Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde — from 1890 until his death in 1894. Stevenson fell deeply in love with Samoa and its people, who affectionately called him Tusitala, meaning “Teller of Tales.” He is buried on the summit of Mount Vaea, overlooking the estate.

Today, Villa Vailima has been restored and operates as the Robert Louis Stevenson Museum, preserving the author’s personal belongings, manuscripts, and the grandeur of the colonial-era house. Its appearance on this collectible Samoan banknote reflects the deep pride Samoans take in their connection to one of literature’s most beloved storytellers.

A Final Reflection: The Beach and the Storyteller

This 5 Tālā UNC polymer banknote captures two sides of Samoa’s identity — the natural beauty that draws the world to its shores, and the literary heritage of a man who arrived as a visitor and never left. On one side, a beach that speaks of sun, sea, and the warmth of Samoan hospitality. On the other, a house that became a home, and a writer who became a legend.

For collectors of Pacific banknotes, polymer currency, or notes with literary and cultural themes, this Uncirculated example — Pick P-47, TBB# 123 — is a vivid, modern issue with a story worth telling.

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• You will receive (a) banknote(s) similar to the one in the picture, in the condition mentioned in the listing title such as UNC, VF, etc. See below for definitions.
• Serial numbers will vary
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Banknote Grading Guide

Grades reflect overall market perception, not rigid defect counting alone. Notes sold from grouped inventory may vary slightly within grade. Individual defects such as foxing, writing, or small marks may be reflected in the grade rather than always itemized separately. Buyers may return any note within 14 days of receipt; satisfaction is guaranteed.

• UNC (Uncirculated ~60-70): folds none; handling none to trace; paper crisp; corners sharp; splits/tears none; missing pieces none; surface clean; impressions (counting-band or security-thread half-moon) permitted if there is no paper break, fiber disturbance, or ink/design loss.
• AU/UNC (Almost Unc. Plus ~55-58): folds 1 very light fold (soft bend, no sharp crease, no design break) or up to 3 corner bends; handling trace; paper crisp; corners nearly sharp.
• AU (Almost Unc. ~50-53): folds 1 light fold or 2 very light folds; handling light; paper crisp to slightly relaxed; corners slightly rounded.
• XF+ (Extra Fine Plus ~45-48): folds 2-3 light folds; handling light; paper crisp to regular; edges minor wear begins.
• XF (Extra Fine ~40-44): folds 3-4 light to moderate folds; handling moderate; paper crisp to regular; edges/splits minor splits may appear.
• VF+ (Very Fine Plus ~35-39): folds 4-6 moderate folds; handling moderate; paper regular to semi-limp; splits minor and more common.
• VF (Very Fine ~30-34): folds 6-8 moderate to heavy folds; paper semi-limp; splits small but typical; surface light soiling visible.
• VFâ (Very Fine Minus ~25-29): folds 8-12 heavy folds; paper semi-limp to limp; splits moderate; surface duller; foxing/writing may be present and reflected in grade without separate notation.
• F (Fine 15-20): folds 12-15 heavy folds, may include very heavy folds; paper limp; splits frequent; tears up to 10 mm, limited in number; missing pieces up to 3 small edge/corner pieces, each up to about 3Ã3 mm; foxing/writing may be present and reflected in grade without separate notation.
• Fâ (Fine Minus ~12-14): folds numerous very heavy folds; paper limp; splits common; tears up to about 15 mm; missing pieces up to 5 small pieces, each up to about 5 mm; foxing/writing may be present and reflected in grade without separate notation.
• VG/F (Very Good to Fine ~10-12): folds dense network of very heavy folds; paper very limp; splits heavy; tears common; missing pieces multiple; foxing/writing may be minor or significant and reflected in grade without separate notation.
• VG (Very Good ~8-10): folds severe overlapping very heavy folds; paper very limp; splits heavy with edge damage; missing pieces multiple; surface poor eye appeal; foxing/writing may be minor or significant and reflected in grade without separate notation.

Definitions

• Handling: surface fatigue without structural change; loss of crispness, slight dulling, and/or micro-flexing; not a true fold.
• Fold severity: very light = bend only, no sharp crease, no ink disturbance; light = thin crease, clean line, no ink loss; moderate = visible pressure, slightly widened line; heavy = broad crease, may vary slightly in placement; very heavy = thick, uneven, with weakened or partially lost design along the fold.
• Half-moon / band impression: curved pressure mark from a counting strap or internal security thread; acceptable in UNC if the paper is not broken and there is no fiber or design disturbance; if flattening or disturbance is visible, the note is typically AU/UNC or lower. A simple central-bank band impression is generally less serious than a mark that visibly disturbs the printed design.
• Foxing: age-related spotting. Minor foxing typically lowers a note about one grade step; major foxing lowers it multiple steps.
• Pen marks / writing: minor means under about 2 cm² total visible writing; major means more than ~2 cm² or visually dominant writing. Minor writing lowers a note one grade step; major writing lowers it multiple steps.
• Tears / splits / missing pieces: structural defects. These must remain within the limits of the assigned grade; excessive size, count, or severity forces a downgrade.
• When foxing, writing or tears downgrade a note, the issue may be absorbed into the assigned grade without explicit mention.