50 Sene

Samoa's current coinage series was introduced following the country's controversial 2009 decision to switch driving from the right-hand side of the road to the left — a logistical realignment with Australia and New Zealand that also coincided with a broader national rebranding effort, including updated currency. The nickel-plated steel composition adopted for this series replaced earlier nickel-brass and copper-nickel pieces as part of a cost-reduction strategy common across Pacific island economies during the post-GFC period.