In 1967, the Pacific island of Tonga issued palladium coins on the occasion of the Coronation of King Tāufaʻāhau Tupou IV, thereby achieving a world first. The coins were issued as part of a three coin mint set.

A new denomination was created for these coins, the "Hau", which we guess was named in honour of the King as it consists of part of his name, although as we speak no Tongan, this is purely conjecture on our part.

Alloy = .980 palladium, .020 ruthenium.

There was also a 1968 set with countermark.

Specification of the 1967 Tonga Palladium 3 Coin Set

Denomination	Diameter (mm)	Weight (grains)	Weight (g)	Fineness (ppt)	Palladium Content (tr oz)
1 Hau	48	1000	64.4	.980	2.04167
Half Hau	33.5	500	32.54	.980	1.02083
Quarter Hau	26	300	16.23	.980	0.61458
Set of Three		1800	113.17	.980	3.67708

Tonga

Tonga is an archipelago of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand. "The Friendly Islands" were united into a Polynesian kingdom in 1845. It became a constitutional monarchy in 1875 and a British protectorate in 1900. Tonga acquired its independence in 1970 and became a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. It remains the only monarchy in the Pacific.

Tongan Coins

Tonga only started to issue its own coins in 1962 denominated in pounds, but with 16 koulas to the pound, and in 1967 it decimalised. There are now 100 senti = 1 Pa'Anga, and 100 Pa'anga = 1 Hau, therefore 10,000 senti = 1 Hau.

Tongan Hau

A previous citizen of Tonga informed us that the Hau, is equal to 100 pa’anga, it only appears on commemorative coins, it is not a denomination used in everyday life, nor does it appear on banknotes. "Hau" in Tongan means "champion" and the Tongan monarch (any Tongan monarch) may be given the honorific title "Hau ‘o e ‘Otu Tonga" which literally translates as "Champion of the Tongan Islands".

Edge

The edge is plain, with incuse lettering:

HISTORICALLY THE FIRST PALLADIUM COINAGE

Obverse

The obverse shows a portrait of King Tāufaʻāhau Tupou IV, facing to the right. Small crowns adorn the border of the coin.

CORONATION 4TH JULY 1967
TAUFA'AHAU TUPOU IV

Reverse

The reverse shows the national arms of Tonga.

Key Information

Intrinsic Value	£3,754.44
Product ID	9519
Stock Status	In Stock

Product Spec

Metal	Palladium
Palladium Weight Troy Ounces	3.6771
Fineness/Carat	0.980
Date	1967
Obverse Designer	Unknown
Reverse Designer	Unknown
Issuing Monarch	Taufa Ahau Tupou IV
Mint/Brand	Unknown
Country	Tonga

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1967 Tonga Palladium 3 Coin Set - Coronation