Dominion of Fiji
(1970-1987)
Central Monetary Authority of Fiji (1973-1983)
Currency : Dollar (FJD)
Here are 3 specimen notes issued by the Central Monetary Authority of Fiji. These are the first print of banknotes issued under the Central Monetary Authority of Fiji. A complete set consists of $2, $5, $10 and $20. Here I have only posted the $2, $5 and $20 specimen notes as I do not have the $10 piece. The $1 note was not issued for this first print series, nor the 50 cents was included either.
The portrait of the Queen came from the painting by Pietro Annigoni (b.1910-1988). The painting was started in 1954 and completed in 1955 when the Queen was 29 years old. This painting features Her Majesty wearing the regalia of the Order of the Garter. Apart from Fiji, this portrait was also used by Bradbury Wilkinson and Company and Thomas De La Rue and Company Limited for banknotes issued by the authorities of the East Caribbean States, Isle of Man, Jersey, Malta, Mauritius, Rhodesia (Zimbabwe), Seychelles and Trinidad and Tobago. On the back, apart from the one dollar note, the design for the $2 to $20 are all the same, all printed with the geometric design and also with the face value respectively.
Previous notes issued in Fiji were all printed with the words - "Government of Fiji". Between 10.10.1874 and 10.10.1970, Fiji was officially known as the British Crown Colony of Fiji. Fiji was ceded to the British for 96 years before gaining independence in 1970.
Signatures
Chairman - David J Barnes (tenure 1969-1991*)
General Manager - Ian A Craik (tenure 1973-1974)
Imprinter - Thomas De La Rue and Company Limited
Dimensions - 160mm x 77mm
Ian Craik was the general manager who was managing the central bank between 1973 to 1974. He was seconded from the Bank of England.
Thomas De La Rue and Company Limited has been printing banknotes for Fiji since 1914.
Two Dollars Specimen
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| nd1974, Queen Elizabeth the Second (aged 29), Coat of Arms, P72as |
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| Reverse - geometric design with the face value Two Dollars |
Five Dollars Specimen
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| nd1974, Queen Elizabeth the Second (aged 29), Coat of Arms, P73as |
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| Reverse - geometric design with the face value Five Dollars |
Ten Dollars Specimen
(do not have)
Twenty Dollars Specimen
(do not have)
Twenty Dollars Specimen
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| nd1974, Queen Elizabeth the Second (aged 29), Coat of Arms, P75as |
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| Reverse - geometric design with the face value Twenty Dollars |
Footnote ➽;
* David J Barnes's tenure at the central bank is based on my observation of his signature appearing on the banknotes. In my opinion, his association with the bank could be longer as his signature also appeared in the 1990 Reserve Bank of Fiji annual report dated 28/03/1991 as Executive Director.
Between October 1970 to 06.10.1987, Fiji was officially known as the Dominion of Fiji. Fiji's independence was granted by the British on 10/10/1970, and retained the British monarch, Queen Elizabeth the Second as it's head of state. Following the two military coups, on 06/10/1987, Fiji became a republic and replaced the British monarch with a President, Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau (b.1918-1993). Despite becoming a republic, the central bank retained the portrait of the queen on all it's banknotes until 2012, when a new series of banknotes issued featuring the flora and fauna theme, thus finally removing the British monarch from it's banknotes after 78 years (1934-2012). Between 1953 to 2007, all banknotes were printed with the queen's portrait on the front except for two notes, the 2000 Y2K millennium commemorative notes of $2 and $2000.
* David J Barnes's tenure at the central bank is based on my observation of his signature appearing on the banknotes. In my opinion, his association with the bank could be longer as his signature also appeared in the 1990 Reserve Bank of Fiji annual report dated 28/03/1991 as Executive Director.
Between October 1970 to 06.10.1987, Fiji was officially known as the Dominion of Fiji. Fiji's independence was granted by the British on 10/10/1970, and retained the British monarch, Queen Elizabeth the Second as it's head of state. Following the two military coups, on 06/10/1987, Fiji became a republic and replaced the British monarch with a President, Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau (b.1918-1993). Despite becoming a republic, the central bank retained the portrait of the queen on all it's banknotes until 2012, when a new series of banknotes issued featuring the flora and fauna theme, thus finally removing the British monarch from it's banknotes after 78 years (1934-2012). Between 1953 to 2007, all banknotes were printed with the queen's portrait on the front except for two notes, the 2000 Y2K millennium commemorative notes of $2 and $2000.
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