Fiji has unveiled a new series of polymer banknotes designed with advanced security features, marking a significant update to the nation’s currency. The launch took place at the GPH in Suva, where the Reserve Bank of Fiji (RBF) announced that the printing was handled by Crane Currency, a prominent international banknote supplier based in the US, at a cost of approximately $5 million USD (around $11 million FJD).
A total of 60 million banknotes, including those for circulation and numismatic purposes, were ordered from Crane Currency after the company was awarded the tender. The new banknotes introduce redesigned reverses while maintaining the current front designs and colors. Each denomination features unique vignettes that reflect Fiji’s identity, culture, and heritage.
The $5 note now displays an endangered turtle species indigenous to Fiji, the Vonu Dina; the $10 note features children planting mangroves; the $20 note showcases the central bank building; the $50 note portrays a Girmitiya woman with the ‘Leonidas’ vessel in the background, and the $100 note illustrates an iTaukei individual in traditional attire holding a bowl of kava.
RBF governor Ariff Ali emphasized that the design process involved thorough research and planning, stating that the new designs and technical features were a result of the work from the bank’s internal currency technical committee, with final approvals made by its board in April of the previous year. He also highlighted Crane Currency’s extensive experience in banknote design and production, noting their role as the substrate provider for US currency.
In addition to enhancing the security of the currency, the new banknotes are designed for durability to ensure they endure daily use. President Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, the event’s chief guest, described the launch as a significant symbol of Fiji’s progress toward a united and prosperous future, recognizing the currency as an important representation of sovereignty when managed properly.
The new banknotes are set to enter circulation on January 2, with the existing banknote designs to be phased out over the year, culminating in their demonetization on December 31 of the following year. This initiative reflects a commitment to innovation and the ongoing development of Fiji’s financial landscape.
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