Coconuts

sand pepples

Bank notes in Fiji have a fascinating history and a brief outline follows. The first bona fide Fijian paper money was in the form of a $10 debenture note issued by the Government under the Public Loans Act of 1871. In 1873, the Levuka Treasury issued paper notes valued at 12.5 cents, 25 cents, 50 cents, 100 cents, one dollars, five dollars, ten dollars, twenty five dollars and fifty dollars. Levuka, a busy trading town on the island of Ovalau east of Fiji's main island of Viti Levu, was the capital of Fiji Islands at that time. (The capital was later moved to present day Suva on the main island itself). In October of the following year 1874, the Deed of Cession was signed by Cakobau Tui Viti (King of Fiji) and other high chiefs of Fiji, giving Fiji to Her Britannic Majesty Queen of Great Britain and Ireland. Under the Colonial rule that followed, the Fiji Dollar notes were replaced by the British pound, which continued for some 95 years. In 1969, after Fiji regained its independence, the Fiji dollar was re-introduced. Fiji is a member of the British Commonwealth, and the head of the reigning British monarch is displayed on one side of Fiji notes as well as coins.