The Coins And Banknotes Of Fiji!

Series C 1992 - 2005

The third series was much different from Series B, except these notes look less formal and warmer in many ways.

There are 2 or 3 major phases and different denominations were added at different times.

Basically now every note has a bird and a plant added and the back scenes are all changed.

Initially there were 4 notes in this series, but a 5th note the $50 was added in 1995.

All of the notes show the aged Queen facing forward and smiling more broadly, with the images on the back - this series of notes emotes much more warmth than the earlier ones. The stern unsmiling young Queen is replaced by someone who looks like your long lost grandma happy to see you!


Doesn't she look delighted!

Serial numbers on these notes change through time too, the numbers are smaller and neater than on earlier notes, 1990s notes generally have them all the same size at left and 2002 onwards notes have them increasing in size left to right, although 1996 $50 notes and the Millienium $2 coin have these numbers too. This also is seen on Series D notes.


1990s at left, 2000s at right.

Doing these in Denomination.

My $2 is pretty tatty and faded! Yet this note is a 2002 version with Narube signature and the rising numbers.


$2 Obverse, green blue with thicker border, number in bold and words in English. Basic thread, 4 lozenges at bottom.


$2 Reverse - Unclear and tatty, but image promotes "Racial Diversity" of Fiji. Although Fiji is mostly Indigenous and Indo Fijian, 5 groups are shown here from left to right - Chinese, White, Fijian (Melanesian), Fijian (Polynesian from Rotuma or Tongic/Fijian minority), Indo Fijian. Zig Zag band at bottom with hibiscus motif at right.

In better shape is my Y2K (2000) $2 banknote, a special issue with serial number in red.


$2 - Millenium note - obverse,right, words celebrating Millenium. Red serial number. Sir Penaia Ganilau in place of Queen (Fijian President in 2000). Kubuabola signature.


$2 Millenium reverse - Map of Vanua Levu and eastern islands showing symbolised sun (Where dateline is) - NZ was an hour earlier due to daylight savings time)
People of Fijian, Indian and Polynesian ancestry - Fijian sea turtle bottom centre.

A very nice note overall - the ethnic diversity theme was carried over to series 4 currency.

There was also a $2000 (!!) note issued, large size and this showed Ratu Sir Kamasese Mara and the back had a map of the Islands and stars in the sky. I don't have one but you can see these on this website

https://en.numista.com/catalogue/note292033.html

Ironically in 2000 was another Fijian led coup by George Speight, despite what these notes show - relations between Fijians and Indo Fijians were poor by this stage.

Again I have 2 examples of series C - $5 notes. These changed colour and had stronger printing in the 10 year period.


$5 - Early (1992 to 1996), Kubuabola signature (Apologies for poor condition of note and image). The colour is a strong chestnut brown with orange and even greenish blue tinges, early serial number and grey security band.


$5 - Late (2000 - 2005), Narube signature - notice different colour, more dull coffee/cocoa brown, all orange tinges gone - bluish security band deeper into the note. Modern serial number (And helps this is a good example of this note!). Patterns and Bunedamu similar to the earlier note.

The colours were changed mainly to accommodate the reddish/orange/light brown colours of the new $50 note - and this note had a different obverse to the $2 - $20, but was the same size!

Most strikingly you can see the difference between the two with the back designs showing Nadi international airport.


$5 notes - Reverses of both - despite obvious differences in condition (VG vs UNC). The paper on the earlier note at top has a orange/brown and yellow tinge with the image of the airport not very distinct, an orange sunburst comes through in the bottom band around the tourist catamaran.

The later note shows a darker and sharper brown border and lettering, the paper is much bluer and greener in tinge and the image of the airport is sharper and clearer. Even if this note was tatty, it would be much clearer.

Overall a nice note and no doubt one remembered affectionately by tourists in the 1990s and most of the 2000s!

Great information on the banknotes, Princetane!

This is the only Fiji note I have. I think my parents brought it back from a cruise in the 1980s. I've identified it as a Series B1:

Nearly forgot about this

The other note I have is the $20 of this series and it is an early example from around 1996.


$20 - Obverse, Queen facing forward, plain octagon at right (Later notes have RBF security foil), early serial number, Kubuabola signature. Grey thread, Manusa bird at left. Bluish colours with yellow patch around watermark.


$20 - Reverse, this shows various buildings including the Reserve bank building whc=ich at 14 stories was and still is the tallest commercial building in Fiji (It's possible antennae/towers and even Chruch spires may be higher). Also shown is the Fijian Parliament house which is a modern take on a traditional Fijian Bure.
Not bad, but I feel the Series B note is better

$50 note - I don't have this, image of it is here
https://en.numista.com/catalogue/note202069.html

Has on front reddish orange colour, burst around Queen, Kacau bird, nice warm colours and 50 in big figures

Back shows Flag raising ceremony, signing of Cession and the Cession stone. These all took place in 1874 when Fiji became a British colony. The hibiscus motif at right is similar to lower value notes.

The later version has the rising serial numbers and the foil RBF thing in the octagon logo.
https://en.numista.com/catalogue/note292218.html

Apologies for not having it, $20s are as high as my budget goes but the $50 is a beautiful note.

That ends series C!

More fantastic examples!

Thanks triggersmob - I had noted that apparently the Royal Australian Mint struck 1984 1c and 2c pieces but I haven't been able to confirm that. I reckon that magazine ad is correct.
It doesn't say which magazine does it?

I think I know, my coin group gave away a pile of them. It is Coin and Medal World, a British publication that is still going strong. They were a smaller format in the pre 1990s period.

I have several issues from 1967, 1978, 1982, 2001 and 2020 and they all have ads for various mint offerings. I am basing my comments on the ads being 1983/84 and my November 1982 issue is A5 size (215mm by 152mm).

Series D notes - 2007/now

Now back to notes. The Series D was started in 2007. I have just 3 of these notes and I point you all to the Numista page for the ones I don't have.

There are 2 types of these, I will just deal with Type 1

Type 1 - The notes have the Queen on them and were issued between 2007 and 2011. This era saw the addition of a $100 note and the last $2 note.

Type 2 - The present notes have wildlife in place of the Queen and the colours are much brighter and sharper! There are no more $2 notes, as the $2 coin was released in 2012.

Also Type 3 (or even Series E 2016 now). This only includes 3 notes, the Paper $7 Fijian 7's note, a Polymer $5 of Series D type 2 and the 2020 $50 Polymer note which celebrates 50 years of Fijian Independence.

Series C