.Vanuatu - 1000 Vatu 40th Anniversary of Independence 1980-2020 Folder Issue # VU40 000058

Ripablik blong Vanuatu

(Republic of Vanuatu / République de Vanuatu)

Reserve Bank Blong Vanuatu
(Reserve Bank of Vanuatu)

Currency - Vatu (VUV)

This is the 1000 vatu folder commemorative note issued for the country's 40th Anniversary of Independence 1980-2020, from Great Britain and France. Independence was granted on 30/07/1980.

Ttttttttttttt.  A single note of 1000 vatu was issued for general circulation on 23/07/2020. In addition to these, 1000 pieces of these notes were sold in a folder at a premium. For these 1000 sets, the serial numbers range from the first note to note number 1000.

On the folder, the following texts are printed in English, Bislama (Vanuatu) and French:-

This banknote issue is to commemorate the 40 years of political independence and also celebrates the successful implementation of the new family of banknotes and coins from the Vatu Currency Reform. The commemorative issue marks a confident and mature Vanuatu taking charge of its affairs including currency matters.

On the back of the folder, the following texts are also printed;-

RESERVE BANK OF VANUATU

Vanuatu achieved its political independence from Great Britain and France on July 30, 1980. On December 18, 1980, five months after the birth of the nation, Parliament approved the Central Bank Act which marked the formal establishment of the Central Bank of Vanuatu.

The Central Bank of Vanuatu began operation on January 1, 1981 when it took over the relevant assets and liabilities of the Institut d'Emission d'Outre-Mer.

This gave it the right to issue Vatu currency (formerly known as New Hebrides Franc-FNH) a function passed from the Banque de L'Indochine to the Institute d'Emission and eventually to the Central Bank.

On March 22, 1982, the Central Bank issued the first Vatu notes and from April 1, 1983, the FNH notes and the Australian currency ceased to be legal tender although the Central Bank continued to give value for the FNH notes.

In May 1989, parliament approved an amendment of the Central Bank Act. The 'Central Bank of Vanuatu' then became the 'Reserve Bank of Vanuatu' (RBV).

It is interesting that the Australian dollars were once officially circulating in Vanuatu (New Hebrides) as from 1966, as the New Hebrides franc was then pegged to the Australian dollar for 100 francs equal to one dollar. As it mentioned above, the Australian dollar ceased legal tender following the introduction of the vatu currency in 1982. The exchange rate between the new vatu and the New Hebrides franc was at par. I am not sure if anyone will still be doing this, if they have any, as the New Hebrides banknotes would have a higher collectible value than the official exchange rate.

Due to its past history, all banknotes in Vanuatu are printed both in English and French languages on the front. However only the English language is printed on the front of the folder. 

Governor - Mr. Simeon Malachi Athy
Minister of Finance - Maki Standley Simelum
Size - 140mm x 65mm

One Thousand Vatu

Dated 2020, s/n VU40 000058

Reverse

 Front Cover