The Reserve Bank of Fiji (RBF) has launched a new series of banknotes, putting the new notes into circulation on January 2, 2026. All five denominations ($5, $10, $20, $50, and $100) are produced on a GUARDIAN™ polymer substrate. This completes Fiji’s transition from a mixed (cotton and polymer) substrate to fully polymer banknotes.
The RBF states that, “With the polymer notes … in circulation the expected extended lifespan helps reduce replacement costs and supports environmental sustainability.”
The date of the new series of banknotes is 2025. Existing banknotes already in circulation remain valid legal tender.
Visual design: Fresh but familiar
Fiji’s 2025 banknote series retain the color scheme of Fiji’s previous banknotes; this will make them look familiar to consumers. Like previous banknote designs, the new imagery highlights Fiji’s biodiversity and cultural heritage. The faces of the new banknotes retain familiar designs depicting Fiji’s familiar flora and fauna. In a fresh design twist, the reverse sides feature new images depicting Fiji’s nation’s people, heritage, resources, and values.
Fiji’s New $100 Banknote
The face of the note features a cicada, while the reverse side depicts an ‘iTaukei’ man (indigenous Fijian) dressed in traditional attire and holding a bowl of kava. The transparent window shows a golden cowrie (seashell) necklace.
Fiji’s New $50 Banknote
The front side of the note depicts a liana flower, and the back depicts a traditional Girmitiya woman. The transparent window features a whale’s tooth necklace.
Fiji’s New $20 Banknote
The front side of the note features a bird flying over waves, while the back side features the Reserve Bank of Fiji building in Suva. The transparent window displays a coconut scraper.
Fiji’s New $10 Banknote
The front side of the note features a fish, while the reverse side depicts children planting mangroves. The transparent window displays a vase in the shape of a duck.
Fiji’s New $5 Banknote
The face of the note features a parrot (red-throated Lory), while the back side depicts a green turtle. The transparent window shows a salt basket.
To learn more about the design of Fiji’s new banknotes, watch this video.
Upgraded security features to fight counterfeiting
Fiji’s new banknotes are better protected from counterfeiting because they have integrated advanced security features. These features include the following:
- This is the first full series with a MOTION SURFACE® (micro-optics) security stripe on a polymer substrate. Images within this stripe include the Fiji coat of arms and shimmering leaves of native Fijian plants.
- Transparent windows, visible on both sides of each denomination, for strong first-level public authentication. Within this window are G SWITCH™ color-shifting effects with denomination-specific color transitions.
- A secondary CAMEO™ window showcases Fijian artefacts with depth and clarity.
- IRISWITCH™ patterned bands on both sides of each note produce a pearlescent sheen when tilted.
Accessible to visually impaired consumers
To help visually impaired consumers identify the denominations of the new banknotes, tactile lines and embossed dots have been added to the notes. The raised lines are on the front side, at the left and right edges. The embossed dots are on the back, bottom right.
Sources/References:
Reserve Bank of Fiji
Banknote Industry News
CCL Secure
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