The Kina (ISO 4217 currency code: PGK, the currency symbol: K) is the currency of Papua New Guinea. It is divided into 100 toea. The name Kina is derived from Kuanua language of the Tolai region, referring to a callable pearl shell used widely for trading in both the Coastal and Highlands areas of the country. History The kina was introduced on 19 April 1975 and circulated along with the Australian dollar until 31 December 1975. The two currencies were equal in value (K1 = A$1). The next day, the dollar ceased to be legal tender in Papua New Guinea. The kina has been a historically stable currency; the economy has never experienced exorbitant rates of monetary inflation. During its early years, the kina experienced an appreciation relative to the Australian dollar, reaching a value of approximately A$1.30 in 1980. The kina reached a peak relative to the Australian dollar in 1986 (K1 = A$1.54). The kina remained stable until 1995, when the country started experiencing double-digit annual rates of inflation, causing its value to drop gradually. The kina fell below the Australian dollar in 1996. Elevated rates of inflation persisted, and by 2002, the value of the kina fell below A$0.50. For most of the time since then, with the exception of between September 2008 and March 2009, the kina traded below A$0.50. The average exchange rate of one kina in September 2022 was: , which means that . Coins In 1975, coins were introduced for 1, 2, 5, 10 and 20 toea and 1 kina. The 1 and 2 toea were minted in bronze, with the others in cupronickel. The 1 kina is round and holed in the centre, this denomination was reduced in size starting from 2006, and the larger coin was demonetised from 31 December 2008. 2008 also saw the introduction of a bimetallic 2 kina coin intended to replace the 2 kina note. The withdrawal of the 1 and 2 toea coins also occurred in 2006 and as from 19 April 2007 are also no longer legal tender. The obverse of a 1 toea coin displays a birdwing butterfly, while a 2 toea coin has a lionfish on its obverse. In 1980, 50 toea coins were introduced but only issued in commemorative form without a standard design. In 2021, a 50 toea coin was issued for general circulation, utilizing the birdwing butterfly design previously used