Exchange Currency
Fiji dollar
The Fijian dollar has been the currency of Fiji since 1969 and was also the currency between 1867 and 1873. It is normally abbreviated with the dollar sign $, or alternatively FJ$ to distinguish it from other dollar-denominated currencies. It is divided into 100 cents.
The Fiji Dollar, equal in value to the US Dollar, was used in the Kingdom of Fiji until 1874. British Pounds (GBP) were used in Fiji after it became a British colony. British coins were made the sole legal tender in 1881. Australian coins began circulating in 1910, and Fiji introduced its own coins in 1934.
Fiji began to issue Fiji Pound banknotes (FJP) in 1917. The Fiji Dollar (FJD) replaced the Fiji Pound on January 13, 1969 with 1 Fiji Dollar equal to 10 Shillings or 0.5 Fiji Pounds. The Fiji Pound was divisible into 20 Shillings and 240 Pence, and the Fiji Dollar is divisible into 100 Cents. Banknotes were issued by the Government of Fiji until 1987 when the Reserve Bank of Fiji began issuing banknotes.
Fiji followed the pattern of South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand in that when it adopted the decimal system, it decided to use the half pound unit as opposed to the pound unit of account. The choice of the name dollar was motivated by the fact that the reduced value of the new unit corresponded more closely to the value of the US dollar than it did to the pound sterling.
The Fijian dollar was reintroduced in 1969, replacing the Fijian pound at a rate of 1 pound = 2 dollars, or 10 shillings = FJ$1. The coins and banknotes continue to feature Queen Elizabeth II, despite Fiji having been a republic since 1987.
In 1969, the government introduced banknotes in denominations of 50 cents, $1, $2, $5, $10 and $20. The Central Monetary Authority took over the issuance of paper money in 1974, issuing the same denominations, although the 50¢ note was withdrawn by 1980. In 1987, the Reserve Bank of Fiji began issuing banknotes. The $1 note was replaced by a coin in 1995, the same year that a $50 note was introduced, followed by a $100 note in 2007.
Summary info
Summary information about Fijian dollar- ISO 4217 Code:
- FJD
- Currency sign:
- FJ$
- Country:
- Fiji
- Subunit:
- cent
- Coins:
- 5 cents, 10 cents, 20 cents, 50 cents, 1 dollar
- Banknotes:
- 2 Fijian dollars, 5 Fijian dollars, 10 Fijian dollars, 20 Fijian dollars, 50 Fijian dollars, 100 Fijian dollars
- Central bank:
- Reserve Bank of Fiji
History
The islands that comprise the Republic of Fiji were first discovered by the Dutch navigator Abel Tasman in 1643, and were visited by Captain Cook in 1774. King Cakobau ceded Fiji to Great Britain on October 10, 1874 when it became a British Crown Colony. Fiji gained self-government in 1965, and independence on October 10, 1970.The Fiji Dollar, equal in value to the US Dollar, was used in the Kingdom of Fiji until 1874. British Pounds (GBP) were used in Fiji after it became a British colony. British coins were made the sole legal tender in 1881. Australian coins began circulating in 1910, and Fiji introduced its own coins in 1934.
Fiji began to issue Fiji Pound banknotes (FJP) in 1917. The Fiji Dollar (FJD) replaced the Fiji Pound on January 13, 1969 with 1 Fiji Dollar equal to 10 Shillings or 0.5 Fiji Pounds. The Fiji Pound was divisible into 20 Shillings and 240 Pence, and the Fiji Dollar is divisible into 100 Cents. Banknotes were issued by the Government of Fiji until 1987 when the Reserve Bank of Fiji began issuing banknotes.
Fiji followed the pattern of South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand in that when it adopted the decimal system, it decided to use the half pound unit as opposed to the pound unit of account. The choice of the name dollar was motivated by the fact that the reduced value of the new unit corresponded more closely to the value of the US dollar than it did to the pound sterling.
The Fijian dollar was reintroduced in 1969, replacing the Fijian pound at a rate of 1 pound = 2 dollars, or 10 shillings = FJ$1. The coins and banknotes continue to feature Queen Elizabeth II, despite Fiji having been a republic since 1987.
Coins
In 1969, coins were introduced in denominations of 1¢, 2¢, 5¢, 10¢ & 20¢, with a 50¢ coin issued in 1975. The coins had the same sizes and compositions as the corresponding Australian coins, with the 50 cents matching the cupronickel dodecagonal type introduced in Australia in 1969. In 1990, new compositions were introduced, with copper-plated zinc used for the 1¢ and 2¢ coins, and nickel-plated steel for the 5¢, 10¢, 20¢ & 50¢. An aluminum-bronze $1 coin was introduced in 1995. 2009 saw the introduction of a new smaller coinage from 5 to 50 cents.Banknotes
In 1867, the government treasury issued 1 Fijian dollar banknotes. These were followed by banknotes for $1, $5, $10, $25 and $50 issued between 1871 and 1873. Also between 1871 and 1873, King Cakobau issued banknotes in denominations of 12½¢, 25¢, 50¢, 100¢ and $5. Levuka (on Ovalau island) issued $1 and $5 banknotes during the 1870s.In 1969, the government introduced banknotes in denominations of 50 cents, $1, $2, $5, $10 and $20. The Central Monetary Authority took over the issuance of paper money in 1974, issuing the same denominations, although the 50¢ note was withdrawn by 1980. In 1987, the Reserve Bank of Fiji began issuing banknotes. The $1 note was replaced by a coin in 1995, the same year that a $50 note was introduced, followed by a $100 note in 2007.
FJD banknotes pictures gallery
| 2 Fijian dollars | |
|---|---|
| Banknote of 2 Fijian dollars has dimensions 131×67 mm and main colors are fern green, dim gray, pale silver and asparagus. Date of issue of 2 Fijian dollars banknote was 10 April 2007. | |
 Obverse side of the 2 Fijian dollars is showing the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, the coat of arms of Fiji and a sovereign medallion named „Mohar”. |
 Reverse side of the 2 Fijian dollars is showing children of Fiji, the logo of Reserve Bank of Fiji, the Fiji National Stadium and the Mount Korobasabasaga. |
| 5 Fijian dollars | |
|---|---|
| Banknote of 5 Fijian dollars has dimensions 136×67 mm and main colors are french beige, burlywood, bazaar and light taupe. Date of issue of 5 Fijian dollars banknote was 10 April 2007. | |
 Obverse side of the 5 Fijian dollars is showing the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, the coat of arms of Fiji and a basket for salt. |
 Reverse side of the 5 Fijian dollars is showing the Fiji’s crested iguana, endemic palms (Balaka palm) and flora (masiratu) and the logo of Reserve Bank of Fiji. |
| 10 Fijian dollars | |
|---|---|
| Banknote of 10 Fijian dollars has dimensions 141×67 mm and main colors are mountbatten pink, timberwolf, purple taupe and light mauve. Date of issue of 10 Fijian dollars banknote was 10 April 2007. | |
 Obverse side of the 10 Fijian dollars is showing the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, the coat of arms of Fiji and the national dish named „I Buburau ni Bete” |
 Reverse side of the 10 Fijian dollars is showing the Grand Pacific Hotel, the logo of Reserve Bank of Fiji and the volcanic peak known as Joske’s Thumb. |
| 20 Fijian dollars | |
|---|---|
| Banknote of 20 Fijian dollars has dimensions 146×67 mm and main colors are pale aqua, pastel blue, fallow and grullo. Date of issue of 20 Fijian dollars banknote was 10 April 2007. | |
 Obverse side of the 20 Fijian dollars is showing the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, a coconut scraper and the coat of arms of Fiji. |
 Reverse side of the 20 Fijian dollars is showing economic activity and development of country (sugarcane, fishery, forestry and mining industries), the Mount Uluinabukelevu and the logo of Reserve Bank of Fiji. |
| 50 Fijian dollars | |
|---|---|
| Banknote of 50 Fijian dollars has dimensions 151×67 mm and main colors are dark salmon, pale gold, peach puff and almond. Date of issue of 50 Fijian dollars banknote was 10 April 2007. | |
 Obverse side of the 50 Fijian dollars is showing the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, a „Wasekaseka” necklace and the coat of arms of Fiji. |
 Reverse side of the 50 Fijian dollars is showing the logo of Reserve Bank of Fiji and the traditional ceremonial presentation of tabua (whale’s tooth) and yaqona. |
| 100 Fijian dollars | |
|---|---|
| Banknote of 100 Fijian dollars has dimensions 156×67 mm and main colors are jasmine, buff, vanilla and flax. Date of issue of 100 Fijian dollars banknote was 10 April 2007. | |
 Obverse side of the 100 Fijian dollars is showing the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, a „Buli Kula” necklace and the coat of arms of Fiji. |
 Reverse side of the 100 Fijian dollars is showing map of Fiji, tourism activities (white sandy beaches, clear sea, sail boats, snorkeling) and the logo of Reserve Bank of Fiji. |
Useful links
- About Reserve Bank of Fiji:
- Reserve Bank of Fiji
- List of currencies:
- Currencies
- Security and design features of FJD banknotes:
- FJD banknotes
- FJD currency on Wikipedia:
- Fijian dollar
- Official Website of Reserve Bank of Fiji:
- www.reservebank.gov.fj
- Commemorative coins:
- Commemorative Coins