From... From Cowrie to Kina by Dr William J D Mira.1986. publ. Spink and Sons.
Descriptions of the designs and physical data of the decimal coinage issues of Papua New Guinea.
THE COINAGE
General Circulation Specie
Designer:
Various Papua New Guinea artists in collaboration with the Royal Mint, United Kingdom.
Manufacture:
All general circulation coins are struck by the Royal Mint, except the 1975 K1 when the Royal Canberra Mint struck 4,000,000 and the Royal Mint 2,000,000.
Obverse:
1 - 20toea:(t1 - 20)
The official emblem of Papua New Guinea: a Bird of Paradise seated on a Kundu drum.
1 Kina:(K1)
The official crest (logo) of the Bank of Papua New Guinea; a stylised Bird of Paradise.
Reverse and Physical Data:
1 toea: (wan toea: toea ta)
Diameter = 17.65mm. : Weight = 2.07 grams.
Metal = Bronze
The Paradise Birdwing Butterfly — one of the largest and most colourful butterflies in the world, found in the lowland tropical forests of Papua New Guinea.
2 toea: (tu toea : toea rua)
Diameter = 21.72mm. : Weight = 4.15 grams.
Metal = Bronze
The Butterfly Codfish — found in most reefs around Papua New Guinea; it often changes colour to camouflage itself against predators.
5 toea: (faiv toea : toea ima)
Diameter = 19.53mm. : Weight = 2.83 grams. Metal = cupro-nickel
The Plateless Freshwater Turtle is rarely found outside Papua New Guinea, completely aquatic and herbivorous it lives in the rivers and swamps.
10 toea: (ten toea : toea gwauta) Diameter = 23.72mm. : Weight = 5.65 grams. Metal = Cupro-nickel
The Spotted Cuscus — a marsupial found in the grasslands and swamps: hunted for its meat and skin, the fur is often used for decoration.
20 toea: (tupela ten toea : toea ruahiu) Diameter = 28.65mm. : Weight = 11.30 grams. Metal = Cupro-nickel
Bennett's Cassowary — a flightless bird with large muscular legs giving it high speed on the ground. Found in the lowland regions.
1 Kina: (Wan Kina : Kina ta)
Diameter = 33.00mm. : Central Hole = 6.90mm. Weight = 14.52 grams. Metal = Cupro-nickel
Two species of crocodile; on the left, the saltwater species; on the right, the freshwater type. The latter inhabits the inland rivers and swamps.