Solomon Islands Governor strikes first coin featuring the King Charles III effigy

The Governor of the Central Bank of Solomon Islands was invited onto the factory floor at the Royal Australian Mint today to strike its first coin featuring the King Charles III effigy.

The Governor of the Central Bank of Solomon Islands was invited onto the factory floor at the Royal Australian Mint on Thursday to strike its first coin featuring the King Charles III effigy.

The official coining ceremony was an important milestone for both the Royal Australian Mint and its South Pacific neighbour, strengthening the longstanding partnership.

The coin’s obverse features the King Charles III effigy designed by Daniel Thorne – the same effigy that appears on Australia’s coinage – along with the words Charles III Solomon Islands 2025.

The reverse features the image of Nguzu Nguzu, which portrays good luck and protection, and the words One Dollar. Nguzu Nguzu has appeared on the Solomon Islands $1 coin since 2012.

The Assistant Minister for Treasury, Andrew Leigh, said the Mint’s standing in the Pacific was to be commended.

“The Solomon Islands coat of arms bears the motto ‘To Lead is to Serve’ – words that inspire people across our region,” Dr Leigh said.

“Coins are just one aspect of the strong relationship between Solomon Islands and Australia. I’m proud of the role that the Royal Australian Mint has played.

“Australia’s Mint now makes coins for multiple countries – a sign of their high standing in the international community.”

Royal Australian Mint Executive Manager Operations, Colin Dedourek, said that working with Pacific partners, such as the Solomon Islands, had long-term benefits for the Mint.

“The Mint is honoured to have been repeatedly engaged to supply new circulating coinage to our Pacific Island neighbours, and be trusted with something as historically important as changing the effigy.

“Other Oceana countries to have their coinage minted in Canberra include Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu, Cook Islands, Timor-Leste and Papua New Guinea,” Mr Dedourek said.

Governor of the Central Bank of Solomon Islands, Dr Luke Forau, was in the Circulating Coin Hall to watch the first coins off the press.

“The partnership with the Royal Australian Mint demonstrates the enduring relationship we have for the long term benefit for the Solomons,” Dr Forau said.

“It also signifies strengthening our diplomatic and economic ties that depicts cooperation, as well as using the Mint’s advanced technology.”

The Mint is currently in discussions with Papua New Guinea to produce a coin to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the nation’s Declaration of Independence in 1975.

Minting foreign currency is not only a vital operation in Australia, but to many countries in the Asia-Pacific.

Over the last 10 years, producing coins for foreign countries made up 8% of the Mint’s circulating coin revenue, and 25% of the coins shipped out of the Deakin factory.