According to a press release dated 26 March 2022, the Reserve Bank of Fiji plans to introduce a new 7-dollar legal tender note commemorating Rugby 7s bronze and gold medal wins in the women’s and men’s tournaments, respectively, at the 2020 Summer Olympics (XXXII) held belatedly in Tokyo, Japan from 23 July – 8 August 2021 due to COVID-19. Fittingly, these notes are varnished with Bioguard, adding antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-viral properties to the surface. As Bioguard is a product of Oberthur Fiduciaire, it’s assumed they are the printer of this note which bears no imprint.
A total of 2,000,000 notes were printed and introduced into circulation at face value. Special numismatic collector sets, uncut pairs, and 7-note sheets are also available through the Reserve Bank of Fiji.
B533 (PNL): 7 dollars (US$3.20)
Bronze and gold. Front: English text; rugby ball as registration device; bronze medal; Fijiana Rugby 7s Bronze Olympians team huddle. Back: English text; Captain Jerry Tuwai gesturing and thanking God; Fiji Rugby 7s Gold Olympians at medal ceremony; Coach Gareth Baber in pensive thought mode; gold medal; rugby ball. 2-mm wide simulated windowed security thread with demetalized RUGBY 7. Watermark: Reapi Ulunisau running with rugby ball. Printer: (Oberthur Fiduciaire). 140 x 67 mm. Paper.
a. No date. Sig. 5: Ali. Prefix FIJ, GFG. Intro: 28.03.2022.
Courtesy of Kai Hwong.
varnished cotton paper