Solomon Islands - $40 Independence Commemoartive 1978 - 2018

Solomon Islands

 Theme "redirecting our journey at 40"

Independence Day 7th of July

Solomon Islands celebrated it's 40th Independence on 07.07.2018 from the British and issued a banknote of $40 to commemorate this special occasion. The British controlled Solomon Islands since June 1893. In 1976, self-government was granted and in 1978 it became a fully independent nation.

This commemorative note was launched on 05.07.2018 by the Central Bank Governor, Denton Rarawa. Apart from this commemorative note, it also issued a new $2 coloured coin to commemorate this special occasion. This new note is designed and printed on polymer substrate material by De La Rue. It is believed that only 100,000 pieces printed with 20,000 pieces reserved for overseas collectors (one media had reported that 140,000 pieces were printed - Australia ABC news). Whilst this note is a collector's item, it is also legal tender for all payments for goods and services in the country. The coloured coins are minted by the Royal Australian Mint (RAM).

This is the second time that Solomon Islands has issued a polymer banknote. In 2001, a $2 commemorative note was issued for the Central Bank of Solomon Islands's Silver Jubilee celebration.

Unlike the current circulating series, this commemorative note has a vertical front design and a  horizontal format on the back. The main design on the front showing a man blowing a conch shell to summon people to come together for an importance event or meeting. The conch shell is/was a traditional instrument of communication in Solomon Islands. The map of Solomon Islands is also included in the design. The large number "40" is also printed on both sides of the note. The design on the back showing large national flag of Solomon Islands, two young girls on a boat, a man standing on a boat, a man diving in the coral reef; and a glowing sea turtle (Hawksbill) swimming.The note is also printed with the following texts;-  

"A CALL TO THE NATION TO COME TOGETHER AS ONE AND MOVE FORWARD; and 40 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE 1978 - 2018"

All notes are printed with the prefix of SI/40 with X/1 as replacement notes. The signatures are Denton Hehenoro Rarawa (Governor) and Harry Kuma (Secretary, Ministry of Finance). This new $40 is also sold in a folder. It was reported that only 100 folders were issued and all sold out.The folder was sold at S$75 each without the banknote.

Forty Dollars

Dated 2018

Reverse - Normal Prefix

Reverse - Replacement Prefix X/1 000080

Reverse - Replacement Prefix X/1 000123

Folder Front Cover

In addition to the above, uncut sheets of 20-in-1 and 25-in-1 were also printed and all sold out. I have a feeling that these uncut sheets were issued for special orders/requests, and perhaps all sold to collectors/dealers in Europe.  

Footnote:-

I believe this is the 3rd note issued for the celebrating of a nation's 40th Independence with a face value of 40.

- Bangladesh 2011: 40 Taka celebrating the nation's 40th Year of Victory Anniversary against Pakistan rule, which is the same as independence from Pakistan rule;

- Djibouti 2017: 40 Francs commemorative it's independence celebration from France.