About Fiji’s Flora and Fauna Currency
The article below provides you with a glimpse of the historical meaning behind the artwork and symbols depicted on the Fijian Currency. The Fijian dollar is the basic unit of currency, is available in denominations of $5, $10, $20, $50 $100. Coins: 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, $1 and $2. In 2017 to celebrate the outstanding Fiji 7’s Rugby Team, a commemorative $7 coin and banknote were made, if your lucky you may still find one as they are still in circulation today. You can also purchase them from the Reserve Bank of Fiji.
History of the Fijian Currency | Currency Collectables | Commemorative Currency | 2017-rugby-bank-notes-coins
Coins

5 cents
The new front design features a Nuqa-roro (Bi-colour Foxface Rabbitfish). Discovered in Fiji waters, this distinctive species was named in 1974 after the University of the South Pacific – uspi. It has since been found from Tonga to New Caledonia but remains relatively uncommon throughout its range. Nuqa-roro is an algal feeder and is sought after by the aquarium trade.
10 cents
The new front design features a beka-mirimiri, (fiji flying fox) which is one of the world’s rarest mammals. It has only ever been recorded for certain on three occasions – most recently in 2009 by a team from naturefiji-mareqetiviti, [a fully local environment ngo] and on all occasions in the upland cloud forests of Taveuni, at elevations near or higher than 1,000 meters. The Fiji flying fox is a very distinctive species with no close relatives. Because of its rarity, nothing is known about its behavior and ecology.
20 cents
The new front design features a Kakã (Kadavu Shining Parrot). Fiji’s shining parrots are a strikingly beautiful group of two to six varieties. The most distinct of them is the Kakã or Kadavu variety which is generally accepted as a full species. While the red of the other varieties is a subdued darkish red varying to a deep burgundy, the underparts of Kadavu’s parrots are bright scarlet or crimson. Kadavu parrots also display a bright blue patch on the back at the base of their necks. Formerly, the red feathers of Fiji’s parrots were central to an almost Pacific-wide trade, in fact, they were the currency of trade for many of the Pacific’s earliest inhabitants. Despite this and the advent of modern science we currently know next to nothing about the status, ecology, and behavior of the Kadavu parrot or its relatives in Fiji.
50 cents
The front design features a Varivoce (Humphead Wrasse), one of the largest reef fishes in the world earning its name from the prominent hump that develops on the forehead of mature individuals. Adults are generally solitary and spend the day foraging on the reef, using their tough teeth to consume hard-shelled species such as mollusks, echino-derms, and crustaceans. Varivoce is extremely long-lived, known to survive for at least 30 years, and take around five to seven years to reach sexual maturity. Although now protected in Fiji, the flesh of this fish is highly prized and it remains one of the most highly sought species. Source: www.arkive.org
$1 – $2 Coins (Front | Back) Fijis Flora and Fauna Currency
$1
The new front design features a Vokai (Banded Iguana), found on many islands of the Lau group. Banded iguanas are extremely well camouflaged and cryptic in nature and so are very rarely seen. They are at risk of predation by rats and feral cats on most islands and the mongoose causes the extirpation of iguanas wherever it is present. Recent genetic work on Fiji’s three species of iguana shows that each island population differs genetically and so all need to be conserved as distinctive populations.
$2
The new front design features a Ga ni Vatu (Peregrine Falcon). The Peregrine Falcon is one of the world’s best-known ‘birds of prey. Fiji has a distinctive subspecies – nesiotes – or ‘the islander’. This subspecies is the darkest and according to many, the most handsome of all the Peregrines worldwide. For Fijians, the Ga ni vatu has a powerful mystique that stems perhaps from a now largely forgotten legend of a fabulous Ga ni vatu from the Yasawa Islands. In Fiji, the population of the Ga ni vatu is less than a hundred pairs and is believed to be declining
$5 Polymer Banknote
The front design features Fiji’s endemic Kulawai (Red-throated Lorikeet), our smallest member of the parrot family. Predominantly green, the Kulawai is a very rare inhabitant of the mountain forest canopy which feeds on nectar and pollen. Kulawai has only been recorded from Viti Levu, Vanua Levu, Taveuni, and Ovalau. The last confirmed sighting was in 1993 and searches in the last few years have failed to find it.
The arboreal ship rat Rattus rattus, a common rat in Fiji’s forest is an aggressive predator of small nesting birds and is believed to be the major culprit in the demise of the Kulawai. A clear window with an image of an i-Taukei man is featured on the note. An image of a Kato ni Masima (salt basket) is also featured on the front of the note. Back design features Fiji’s endangered Crested Iguana, endemic Balaka Palm, Masiratu flower, and Mount Valili in Vanua Levu.
$10 Polymer Banknote
The front design features Fiji’s endemic Beli (Lever’s Goby). Beli is one of few true freshwater fish, living all its life in fast-running freshwater as it flows over stones to which they often attach. Beli are widespread and found in mid reaches of clear streams on all the high islands, sometimes over a hundred meters above sea level. They are generally absent from muddy water and are threatened by alteration in either water flow or water quality.
Their presence in any river is an indicator of good habitat quality and minimal catchment disturbance. An image of i Buburau-ni-bete (duck dish) is also featured on the front. The back design features the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva in 1914 and the Joske’s Thumb in the background.
$20 Polymer Banknote
The front design features one of the world’s iconic rare birds, the Kacau ni Gau(Fiji Petrel) which is known to nest only on Gau Island in Fiji. Experts believe that no more than 50 pairs survive. For much of its life, the Kacau ni Gau is a true ocean bird and remains at sea probably well outside Fijian waters for months on end. Adults return to Gau only to breed in a burrow in the upland forests, and do so only at night and leave for the ocean before dawn.
The Kacau ni Gau is almost never seen on the island, except when individuals are blinded by the light and become grounded in villages. Research over many years has failed to find the nesting sites but this activity is continuing. The Kacau ni Gau has a very distinctive flight style which helps to make it stand out.An image of a Foa (Rotuman coconut scraper) is also featured on the front. The back design features the fishing, forestry, sugarcane, and mining industries of Fiji. Mount Uluinabukelevu in Kadavu is also featured in the background.
$50 Polymer Banknote
The front design features the Tagimoucia (Medinella Waterhousei) flower which is perhaps Fiji’s best-known flower and has, in the past, been recommended as the national flower. It is the subject of songs, stories, and folklore. Tagimoucia is a liana of the upland forest and where it occurs it often flowers profusely in bunches of vivid scarlet petals contrasting with the pure white centers.
The name Tagimoucia is synonymous with the plant in its home in upland Taveuni around the lake with the same name, but Medinella waterhousei also occurs on Mount Seatura in Bua. An image of a Wasekaseka (Whale’s tooth necklace) is also featured on the front. The back design features a culture and heritage theme with descriptions of a traditional Tabua and Yaqona Vakaturaga ceremony.
$100 Polymer Banknote
The front design features Fiji’s Nanai (Cicada). Fiji has the richest fauna of cicadas in the southwest Pacific with 19 species, all of which are endemic. Cicadas are well known for their loud calls, some of which resound through Fiji’s forests. Larval cicadas live underground and feed on the sap from the roots of forest trees. They then emerge, shed their larval skins, and enjoy a short, noisy adult life in Fiji’s forests.
Maka is the common Fijian name for cicadas in general, but the Nanai is unique due to its striking appearance. Nanai is extremely well known to the inland communities of Viti Levu as it emerges in enormous numbers once every eight years and is not otherwise seen. An image of a Buli kula (Golden Cowrie) is also featured on the front. Back design features the map of Fiji with 180º Meridian Line marking the dawn of a new day, smiling faces representing Fiji’s friendliness, a cruise boat for island hopping and tourists snorkeling.
A History of Fiji’s Currency
Many of us are aware that there was a time when people did not need money and relied on the land and the sea to meet their basic needs for food, shelter, and clothing. As more complex social structures emerged, self-sufficiency was no longer enough. Increasing contact between different tribes and communities brought about the concept of swapping or barter of commodities such as trading a cow for five pigs or a bundle of dalo for a bag of rice.
Europeans were the first to bring money to Fiji. During the early nineteenth century, visiting ships’ captains bartered with Fijians for sandalwood and beche-de-mer. However, once a European settlement was established, hard currency was required by planters and traders to conduct business with the outside world. Attempts at commercial development of these islands were hampered by the lack of any acceptable tender until the establishment of the Pax Britannica in 1874, a period of relative peace in Europe and the world (1815-1914) during which the British Empire controlled most of the key maritime trade routes and enjoyed unchallenged sea power.
Before the founding of a recognized regulator of currency in Fiji, paper money used included bills of exchange, cheques on colonial banks in Australia, New Zealand as well as Tonga, notes in hand, drafts, promissory notes, currency tokens, foreign currency, and certificate of indebtedness.
- In 1914, the Fiji Currency Board was established to manage Fiji’s monetary affairs and to issue and redeem currency which was the focal point of Fiji’s currency system for the next 60 years. English coins were used at first.
- In 1934 the Currency Board introduced Fiji’s first coinage of pennies and shillings, which were manufactured at the Royal Mint in London. The British system of measuring currency in pounds, shillings, and pence remained in circulation until 1969. The pennies and halfpennies, made of copper mixed with nickel, had a distinctive feature -a hole through the centre. In World War II, these became popular souvenirs with American soldiers based in Fiji. The other denominations were sixpences, shillings, and two shillings made from 50 percent silver. At the time of the first coin issue, Fiji got a consignment of notes which became the sole notes to be legal tender, meaning they became the only money to be accepted in Fiji in exchange for goods and services.
- In 1936, Fiji was one of the few Commonwealth countries to mint a one penny coin featuring the name of King Edward VIII, who abdicated in one of the great constitutional dramas of the 20th Century.
- In 1947, 12-sided nickel and brass threepenny bits made their appearance and were minted until 1967. The world wars presented many disruptions and challenges. For a while, coins had to be minted in San Francisco on the West Coast of America instead of the Royal Mint. The San Francisco coin manufacturers produced halfpennies and pennies in brass and sixpence, one shilling and two shilling pieces in 90 percent silver. At one stage during the war, with an acute shortage of metal, the Government Printer printed a supply of notes in one shilling and two shilling denominations, and some Fiji one penny notes were printed in Australia.
- In 1942 when some normal notes became scarce, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand agreed that the New Zealand £1 and £5 notes, being printed by the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, be overprinted for local use by the Government Printer.
- In 1969, Fiji changed to a decimal currency. The currency structure was the 1c, 2c, 5c, 10c and 20c coins, and the $0.50, $1, $2, $5, $10, and $20 notes. The 50 cents and the one-dollar note were converted to coins in 1975 and 1995 respectively.
- In November 1995, a $50 note denomination was introduced, followed by a new set of notes in 2007 including the new $100 denomination, in varying sizes, to aid the visually impaired.
- In October 2008, the issuance of 1 and 2 cents coins ceased. In February 2009, a new set of smaller size and lighter coins were introduced. The larger size coins of 5, 10, 20, and 50 cents, as well as the 1 and 2 cents, were demonetized in April 2009. These changes arose from the global rise in metal prices and RBF’s efforts to contain currency production costs.
- In December 2012, Fiji launched a completely new family of notes and coins. This included historic currency design changes –the replacement of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s portrait with local flora and fauna designs on all note and coin denominations, the introduction of Fiji’s first $2 coin, and Fiji’s first polymer note in $5 denomination.
Source (https://www.rbf.gov.fj/core-functions/currency-management/a-history-of-fijis-currency/)
26th March 2022
RBF ISSUES FIJI’S NEW CIRCULATION COMMEMORATIVE BANKNOTE
The Honourable Prime Minister, Rear Admiral (Retired) Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama Has Today Unveiled Fiji’s Newest Commemorative Circulation Banknote During The Marist Sevens At The Anz Stadium, Suva. The New $7 Banknote Commemorates Fiji’s Rugby 7s Gold And Bronze Medal Wins At The Tokyo Olympics 2020, Held Last Year. It Follows In The Tradition Of The Renowned Initial $7 Commemorative Banknote Issued In 2017 Following The Rio Olympics.
The Prime Minister In His Speech Stated “today I Am Extremely Proud To Show Our Olympic Heroes Just How Much Pride Their Grateful Nation Takes In Their Win. They Will Be Immortalized On Our National Currency”.
The Governor And Chairman Of The Board, Mr Ariff Ali Remarked That “our Latest Offering Features Fiji’s Men And For The First Time Ever, Our Fijiana Players. We Are So Proud Of Our Athletes And This $7 Banknote Which Celebrates Team Fiji’s Historic Double Medal Achievement At Tokyo Olympics 2020.”
Governor Ali Stated That “there Were Several Compelling Reasons Behind The Decision To Commission A Special Commemorative Issue, As Alluded By The Prime Minister. Significantly, Both Teams And Officials, Had To Endure Extremely Difficult Circumstances Leading Up To The Games, Lockdowns, Quarantine And Having To Be Away From Loved Ones For Months On End. While The Nation Has Become Accustomed To The Heroics Of Our Men’s 7s Team Who Won Back To Back Gold Medals, The Ladies Exceeded Expectations Throughout The Tournament And Captivated Attention With Their Gutsy Performances. Their Bronze Medal Win Ultimately Made The Olympics Games Our Most Successful Ever. The Backdrop To The Achievements At The Tokyo Olympics Was The Covid-19 Induced Suffering Back At Home And Around The World. The Two Fijian Teams Reminded Us All Of The Infinite Possibilities Of Human Endeavor And Its Ability To Transcend Boundaries, Unite And Provide Profound Hope And Inspiration.”
Post Printing, The Banknotes Have Been Coated With Bioguardtm Varnish Adding Antibacterial, Antifungal And Anti-viral Properties To The Surface Of The Banknotes. Note Bioguardtm Varnish Has Been Tested To Provide An Active Protection Against Coronavirus Oc43 And Sars Cov-2.
In Support Of The Fijian Government’s On-going Climate Change Initiatives, The Reserve Bank Of Fiji Has Pledged To Offset Carbon Emissions From The Production Of This Commemorative Banknote Against One Of The Planned Green Initiatives Earmarked By The Government In Due Course.
To Enhance Accessibility To The General Public, The Commemorative Banknote Is Legal Tender And Will Be Issued Into Circulation Through The Reserve Bank Of Fiji And The Commercial Banks From Monday, 28 March 2022. Given Its Special Commemorative Nature And The Limited Number Produced, It Is Expected To Be Of Value As Collectors’ Items Both Locally And Abroad. Special Numismatic Collector Sets Will Also Be Available From The Reserve Bank.
The Reserve Bank Would Like To Record Its Appreciation To The Fijian Government, The Chairman, Board Directors, Ceo And Staff Of The Fiji Rugby Union, The Fiji Times, The President And Officials Of The Marist Rugby Club And The Banknote Printer, Oberthur Fiduciaire Based In France, As Well As All Those Who Assisted Towards The Completion Of This Commemorative Issue.
Design Details
The Commemorative $7 Banknote Is Primarily Brown On The Obverse While Yellow On The Reverse Being Synonymous To Our Gold And Bronze Medal Wins At The Tokyo Olympics 2020. The Obverse Of The Banknote Feature The Fijiana Rugby 7s Olympic Bronze Medal Winning Team Huddle During The Tokyo Olympics 2020 Games, Denominational Value, Horizontal Serial Numbering, Micro Text, 2mm Metallic Thread, Watermark Of Ms Reapi Ulunisau With A Rugby Ball, A See-through Subject In The Form Of A Rugby Ball, Bronze Medallion And The Signature Of The Governor Of The Reserve Bank Of Fiji.
The Obverse Design Also Has Fluorescent Features In The Form Of Some Text And The Thread. Further, There Are Two Raised Dots Towards The Left Hand Bottom Corner Of The Banknote Which Can Be Clearly Felt And Are There To Help The Blind And The Visually Impaired To Authenticate The Banknote.
The Reverse Design Of The Banknote Features The Fiji Rugby 7s Olympic Gold Medal Winning Team Singing Following Their Medal Presentation At The Tokyo Olympics 2020 Games. The Reverse Design Also Features Coach Mr Gareth Baber In Pensive Thought Mode Along With Captain Mr Jerry Tuwai Gesturing And Thanking God.
Furthermore, There Are Fluorescent Features In The Form Of Some Text, Lanyard And Players Wearing Gold Medals. A Gold Medallion Is Also Depicted On The Reverse Design.