Tuvalu
 
 

               16 Jan 1568  Spanish Capt. Álvaro de Mendaña y Neyra discovers Nui Island
                              which he names Isla de Jesus.
                              29 Aug 1595  Álvaro de Mendaña y Neyra discovers Niulakita Island which he
                              names La Solitaria.
                      1764  Discovered by British Capt. John Byron, named Lagoon Islands.
               05 May 1781  Spanish Capt. Francisco Maurelle discovers Nanumanga Island
                              which he names Isla de Cocal.
                  May 1819  American Capt. Arent de Peyster on a British ship names
                              Nukefetau as de Peyster's Group and names the Funafuti as
                              Ellice's Group.
               06 Nov 1821  U.S. Capt. George Barrett discovers Nukulaelae Island and
                              rediscovers Niulakita.
                                            1841  U.S. Exploring Expedition commanded by Charles Wilkes visited
                              three of Tuvalu's islands.
               16 Oct 1892  Part of the British colony of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands
               01 Oct 1975  Separate dependency as Ellice Islands.
 01 Oct 1975 - 02 Jan 1976  Part of the British Western Pacific Territories.
               01 Oct 1978  Independence from Britain as Tuvalu.
               07 Feb 1979  U.S. recognizes Funafuti, Nukefetau, Nukulaelae, and Nurakita
                              (Niulakita) atolls as part of Tuvalu (effective 23 Sep 1983).
                  Feb 1986  Referendum votes against becoming a republic.
               30 Apr 2008  Referendum again votes against becoming a republic.
 
Tuvalu (formerly the Ellice or Lagoon Islands of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands), located in the South Pacific north of the Fiji Islands, has an area of 10 sq. mi. (26 sq.km.) and a population of  around 9,000. Capital: Funafuti (administrative offices are located in Vaiaku Village on Fongafale Islet). Motto: "Tuvalu mo te Atua" (Tuvalu for the Almighty). The independent state includes the islands of Nanumanga, Nanumea, Nui, Niutao, Viatupa, Funafuti, Nukufetau, Nukulailai and Nurakita. The latter four islands were claimed by the United States until relinquished by the Feb. 07, 1979, Treaty of Friendship signed by the United States and Tuvalu. The principal industries are copra production and phosphate mining. The islands were discovered in 1764 by John Byron, a British navigator, and annexed by Britain in 1892. In 1915 they became part of the crown colony of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands. In 1974 the islanders voted to separate from the Gilberts, becoming on Jan. 01, 1976, the separate constitutional dependency of Tuvalu. Full independence was attained on Oct. 01, 1978. Tuvalu is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. Elizabeth II is Head of State as Queen of Tuvalu.
 
Currency: Tuvaluan Dollar (TVD) = 100 cents were introduced since 1976. Australian Dollar (AUD) are also used. Both currencies are pegged one to one.
 
1976
 

KM#5 20 cents. Year: 1976. Weight: 11.28g [11.25g]. Metal: Copper-Nickel. Diameter: 28.45 mm. Edge: Reeded. Alignment: Medal. Mint: N/A. Obverse: Flying fish in the center. "TUVALU" written at the top. Value "20c" written on the lower right side. Date at the bottom. Reverse: Young portrait of Elizabeth II facing right. "QUEEN ELIZABETH THE SECOND" written clockwise around her. Mintage: 36,000 + 20,000 Proof. Minted Years: 1976, 1981 and 1985. Ruler: Elizabeth II [Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor].
Engravers: John Donald (date side) and Arnold Machin (Elizabeth II portrait side).
 
1985
 

KM#1 1 cent. Year: 1985. Weight: 2.56g [2.60g]. Metal: Bronze. Diameter: 17.50 mm. Edge: Plain. Alignment: Medal. Mint: N/A. Obverse: Lambis shell in the center. "TUVALU" written at the top. Value "1c" written on the lower right side. Date at the bottom. Reverse: Young portrait of Elizabeth II facing right. "QUEEN ELIZABETH THE SECOND" written clockwise around her. Mintage: N/A. Minted Years: 1976, 1981 and 1985. Ruler: Elizabeth II [Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor].
Engravers: John Donald (date side) and Arnold Machin (Elizabeth II portrait side).

KM#5 20 cents. Year: 1985. Weight: 11.26g [11.25g]. Metal: Copper-Nickel. Diameter: 28.45 mm. Edge: Reeded. Alignment: Medal. Mint: N/A. Obverse: Flying fish in the center. "TUVALU" written at the top. Value "20c" written on the lower right side. Date at the bottom. Reverse: Young portrait of Elizabeth II facing right. "QUEEN ELIZABETH THE SECOND" written clockwise around her. Mintage: N/A. Minted Years: 1976, 1981 and 1985. Ruler: Elizabeth II [Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor].
Engravers: John Donald (date side) and Arnold Machin (Elizabeth II portrait side).

KM#16 1 Dollar. Year: 1985. Weight: 16.00g. Metal: Copper-Nickel. Diameter: 33.00 mm; Nonagonal (9 sided). Edge: Plain. Alignment: Medal. Mint: N/A. Obverse: Sea turtle in the center. "TUVALU" written at the top with Date. Value "ONE DOLLAR" written at the bottom. Reverse: Young portrait of Elizabeth II facing right. "QUEEN ELIZABETH THE SECOND" written clockwise around her. Mintage: N/A. Minted Years: 1976, 1981 and 1985. Ruler: Elizabeth II [Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor].

Engravers: John Donald (date side) and Arnold Machin (Elizabeth II portrait side).
 
1994
 

KM#32 10 cents. Year: 1994. Weight: 5.59g [5.60g]. Metal: Copper-Nickel. Diameter: 23.50 mm. Edge: Reeded. Alignment: Medal. Mint: N/A. Obverse: Crab in the center. "TUVALU" written at the top. Value "10c" written on the lower right side. Date at the bottom. Reverse: Elizabeth II facing right. "QUEEN ELIZABETH THE SECOND" written clockwise around her. Mintage: N/A. Minted Years: One year type. Ruler: Elizabeth II [Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor].
Engravers: John Donald (date side) and Raphael David Maklouf (Elizabeth II portrait side).

KM#33 20 cents. Year: 1994. Weight: 11.24g [11.25g]. Metal: Copper-Nickel. Diameter: 28.45 mm. Edge: Reeded. Alignment: Medal. Mint: N/A. Obverse: Flying fish in the center. "TUVALU" written at the top. Value "20c" written on the lower right side. Date at the bottom. Reverse: Elizabeth II facing right. "QUEEN ELIZABETH THE SECOND" written clockwise around her. Mintage: N/A. Minted Years: One year type. Ruler: Elizabeth II [Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor].
Engravers: John Donald (date side) and Raphael David Maklouf (Elizabeth II portrait side).

KM#34 50 cents. Year: 1994. Weight: 15.45g [15.50g]. Metal: Copper-Nickel. Diameter: 31.65 mm. Edge: Plain. Alignment: Medal. Mint: N/A. Obverse: Octopus in the center. "TUVALU" written at the top. Value "50c" written on the lower right side. Date at the bottom. Reverse: Elizabeth II facing right. "QUEEN ELIZABETH THE SECOND" written clockwise around her. Mintage: N/A. Minted Years: One year type. Ruler: Elizabeth II [Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor].

Engravers: John Donald (date side) and Raphael David Maklouf (Elizabeth II portrait side).

KM#27 20 Dollars. Year: 1994. Weight: 31.70g. Metal: 0.925 Silver. Diameter: 41.00 mm. Edge: Reeded. Alignment: Medal. Mint: N/A. Obverse: Elizabeth II facing right. "QUEEN ELIZABETH II . TUVALU" written clockwise around her. Date at the bottom. Reverse: Blue Coral seascape in the center. "PROTECT OUR WORLD" written at the top. Value "$20" written at the lower left side. "BLUE CORAL" written the the bottom right side. Mintage: N/A. Minted Years: One year type. Subject: Protect Our World. Ruler: Elizabeth II [Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor].
 
1997
 

50 cents. Year: 2007. Weight: 20.00g. Metal: Aluminum-Bronze. Diameter: 38.74 mm. Edge: Reeded. Alignment: Medal. Mint: The Perth Mint. Obverse: Crowned head right. Reverse: "GRAND SUMO TOURNAMENT" on the top. A  large wrestler with the Japanese and Hawaiian flags. "2007 IN HAWAII" written below. Reverse: "QUEEN ELIZABETH II" on the top. Queen Elizabeth's picture in the center facing right. "50 CENTS TUVALU" written below. Mintage: N/A. Minted Years: One year type. Ruler: Elizabeth II [Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor].

Note: Though professional Sumo tournaments have been going on in Japan for over 300 years, this Tuvalu 50 cent coin is the first coin that I know of to honor the traditional Japanese sport. The coin commemorates the Grand Sumo Tournament held in Hawaii in 2007. The object of the sport is to force an opponent outside of the ring or to have him touch the ground with some part of his body other than his feet. As might be expected, Sumo wrestlers tend to be very large. The coin, struck by the Perth Mint, features an unusual reverse frosting, so that the devices are bright and the fields are frosted. The Grand Sumo Tournament in Hawaii 2007 was held on Saturday 09th June to Sunday 10th June.
 
 
Queen Elizabeth II is the head of the state, 01 Oct 1978 - 01 Oct 1986: "By the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Her other Realms and Territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith"; from 1 Oct 1986: "By the Grace of God, Queen of Tuvalu and of Her other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth."
 
  • Chiefs of Funafuti (title Aliki tupu)
  • Local chieftaincies, increasingly in contact with Europeans from the 18th century on, particularly whalers.
  • Telematua
  • Kaitosuga
  • Tailoa I
  • Tailoa II
  • Tepaolo
  • Salaika
  • Polau
  • Tauasa
  • Silimaiau
  • Tila
  • Sokomani
  • Talafou
  • Featule
  • Teleke
  • Matavai
  • Iakopo
  • Manu
  • Protectorate of Great Britain...........................1892 - 1916
    • Elia..............................................1892? - 1902
  • Great Britain...........................................1916 - 1941
  • Japan...................................................1941 - 1943
  • Great Britain...........................................1943 - 01 Oct 1975
  • Self-governing colony of Great Britain...........01 Oct 1975 - 01 Oct 1978
  • Commissioner
  • Thomas H. Layng..................................01 Oct 1975 - 01 Oct 1978
  • Independent within the British Commonwealth since 01 Oct 1978.
  • Governor-Generals (representing the British monarch as head of state)
  • Fiatau Penitala Teo..............................01 Oct 1978 - 01 Mar 1986
  • He is known from 02 Jun 1979 as Sir Fiatau Penitala Teo.
  • Sir Tupua Leupena................................01 Mar 1986 - 01 Oct 1990
  • Sir Toaripi Lauti................................01 Oct 1990 - 01 Dec 1993
  • He served as Chief Minister from 02 Oct 1975 to 01 Oct 1978 and then Prime Minister from 01 Oct 1978 to 08 Sep 1981.
  • Tomu Sione.......................................01 Dec 1993 - 21 Jun 1994
  • Tulaga Manuella..................................21 Jun 1994 - 26 Jun 1998
  • He is known from 15 Feb 1996 as Sir Tulaga Manuella.
  • Sir Tomasi Puapua................................26 Jun 1998 - 09 Sep 2003
  • He served as Prime Minister from 08 Sep 1981 to 16 Oct 1989.
  • Faimalaga Luka...................................09 Sep 2003 - 15 Apr 2005
  • He served as Prime Minister from 24 Feb 2001 to 14 Dec 2001.
  • Filoimea Telito..................................15 Apr 2005 - 19 Mar 2010
  • He is known from 12 Jan 2007 as Sir Filoimea Telito.
  • Sir Kamuta Latasi (acting).......................19 Mar 2010 - 16 Apr 2010
  • Iakoba Taeia Italeli.............................16 Apr 2010 - Aug 2019
  • He is known from 21 Jun 2010 as Sir Iakoba Taeia Italeli.
  • Teniku Talesi (female - acting).....................Aug 2019 - date
 
 
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