Kina
/ˈkiː.nə/noun
The basic monetary unit of Papua New Guinea, also used historically for certain forms of shell money.
Did you know?The modern kina was introduced in 1975 and takes its name from kina shells, which were traditionally used as currency and ornament in Papua New Guinea.
Etymological Timeline
Precolonial period
Kuanua/Tolai
kina
“Shell valuables used in exchange, ornament, and ceremonial wealth”
19th–20th Century
Melanesian languages
kina
“A shell-money item or unit of traditional wealth”
20th Century
Tok Pisin
kina
“A term associated with shell money and monetary value”
1975
English
kina
“Name adopted for Papua New Guinea’s national currency at independence”
Modern English
English
kina
“The principal currency unit of Papua New Guinea, divided into 100 toea”