OUR CURRENCY BANKNOTES

The Central Bank has sole authority for the issue and distribution of SI notes and coins, which are legal tender in Solomon Islands. The Solomon Islands Banknotes is divided into six denominations: $100, $50, $40, $20, $10, $5.

$100 Banknote

 

$100 Front
Theme
  • The new Solomon Islands $100 uses strong images and bold colours to reflect the vibrancy of the islands.
  • On the front of the note there is a feeling of a general ‘prevailing current’ moving from left to right as evidenced by the sloping numerals, the eagle watermark looking to the right and the general ‘billowing’ of the abstract patterns. In addition the flag is shown as if being blown from the left with the strong, upward slanting yellow stripe adding to the dynamic movement effect.
  • The abstract pattern work is based on a geometrical design and is intended to represent the swirling movement of shoals of fish. Fishing is also represented by the symbols that are flanking the Coat of Arms. The shark and crocodile from the Arms are reproduced in the super wide security thread.
  • On the back of the note are images of coconut growing with plantation harvesting. There are also images of an open coconut and necklace.
  • This beautiful banknote is the result of a close collaboration between the Central Bank of the Solomon Islands and De La Rue of the UK.
Security Features
  • The most obvious security feature is the super wide security thread with a transparent ‘window’ that is highly secure and difficult to replicate successfully. The window is visible from the front of the note where sharks and crocodiles from the Coat of Arms can be clearly seen. The full width of this shiny thread can be seen on the back of the note and when the note is held up to the light, all the images as well as small text reading ‘CBSI’ and ‘100’ become obvious.
  • Whilst holding the note against the light, the watermark of the Eagle and the letters ‘CBSI’ also become obvious.
  • The familiar raised print of a genuine banknote can be clearly felt on the words ‘SOLOMON ISLANDS’ on the front of the note.

$50 Banknote

 

Theme
  • The new Solomon Islands $50 uses strong images and bold colours to reflect the vibrancy of the islands.
  • On the front of the note there is a feeling of a general ‘prevailing current’ moving from left to right as evidenced by the sloping numerals, the eagle watermark looking to the right and the general ‘billowing’ of the abstract patterns. In addition the flag is shown as if being blown from the left with the strong, upward slanting yellow stripe adding to the dynamic movement effect.
  • The abstract pattern work is based on basket weave designs and is intended to represent the swirling movement of shoals of fish. Fishing is also represented by the fishing fl oats – feathers in corks – that are flanking the Coat of Arms. The shark and crocodile from the Arms are reproduced in the super wide security thread.
  • Other connections to fishing include the fish eating Frigate Bird that is shown in outline, wings outstretched in the see-through feature. There is also a symbolic representation of two birds passing a fi sh between them at the bottom
    of the note.
  • On the back of the note are montages of local fauna and flora – shell, lizard, snake, iguana and fungi – to recognize and celebrate the unique bio-diversity of the islands. There are also some more traditional designs and patterns on the top left of the back of the note.
  • This beautiful banknote is the result of a close collaboration between the Central Bank of the Solomon Islands and De La Rue of the UK.
Security Features
  • The most obvious security feature is the super wide security thread with a transparent ‘window’ that is highly secure and difficult to replicate successfully. The window is visible from the front of the note where sharks and crocodiles from the Coat of Arms can be clearly seen. The full width of this shiny thread can be seen on the back of the note and when the note is held up to the light, all the images as well as small text reading ‘CBSI’ and ‘50’ become obvious.
  • Whilst holding the note against the light, the watermark of the Sea Eagle and the letters ‘CBSI’ also become obvious.
  • The familiar raised print of a genuine banknote can be clearly felt on the words ‘SOLOMON ISLANDS’ on the front of the note.

$40 Banknote

 

Theme
  • Our new $40 has been produced to celebrate 40 years of Independence (1978 – 2018) ‘a call to the nation to come together as one and move forward’.
  • This is a commemorative note but will also be used in circulation so it is important that you know what to look for to check that the note is real.
  • The note is made of polymer which is stays cleaner for longer than paper.
Security Features
  • Polymer banknotes feel smoother than the paper ones There is also a pattern of raised dots for the blind and partially sighted
  • When you hold the note up to the light, you will see a transparent window which can be seen from the front and back of the note Within the blue shell, the number 40 appears
  • As you tilt the note you will see a shimmering gold print on the front of the note representing the sound waves coming from the conch shell

$20 Banknote

 

Theme
  • The new Solomon Islands $20 uses strong images and bold colours to reflect the vibrancy of the islands.
  • On the front of the note there is a feeling of a general ‘prevailing current’ moving from left to right as evidenced by the sloping numerals, the eagle watermark looking to the right and the general ‘billowing’ of the abstract patterns. In addition the flag is shown as if being blown from the left with the strong, upwards slanting yellow stripe adding to the dynamic movement effect.
  • The abstract pattern work is based on basket weave designs and is intended to represent the swirling movement of shoals of fish. Other themes around fishing include the use of fishing floats flanking the Coat of Arms and the Frigate Bird in the see-through feature. The shark and crocodile from the Coat of Arms are reproduced in the security thread and the central carving at the bottom of the front of the note is of a food bowl with traditional motifs
  • On the back of the note is a portrait of a musician playing traditional bamboo panpipes along with female dancers performing a ceremonial island dance to recognize and celebrate the unique culture of the islands. There are also some additional traditional designs and carved patterns along the top of the note
  • This beautiful banknote is the result of close collaboration between the Central Bank of the Solomon Islands and De La Rue of the UK.
Security Features
  • The most obvious feature is the bright colour changing security thread. This thread appears in intervals on the surface of the front of the note and changes from red to green as the note is tilted. The letters CBSI and 20 along with crocodile and shark images can be seen in the thread when the note is held against the light.
  • Whilst holding the note against the light, the watermark of the Sea Eagle and the letters ‘CBSI’ also become obvious.
  • The familiar raised print of a genuine banknote can be clearly felt on the words ‘SOLOMON ISLANDS’ on the front of the note.

$10 Banknote

 

Theme
  • The new Solomon Islands $10 uses strong images and bold colors to reflect the vibrancy of the islands.
  • On the front of the note there is a feeling of a general ‘prevailing current’ moving from left to right as evidenced by the sloping numerals, the eagle watermark looking to the right and the general ‘billowing’ of the abstract patterns. In addition the flag is shown as if being blown from the left with the strong, upwards slanting yellow stripe adding to the dynamic movement effect.
  • The abstract pattern work is based on basket weave designs and is intended to represent the swirling movement of shoals of fish. Other themes around fishing include the use of fishing floats flanking the Coat of Arms and the Frigate Bird in the see-through feature. The shark and crocodile from the Coat of Arms are reproduced in the security thread and the central carving at the bottom of the front of the note is of a food bowl with traditional motifs
  • On the back of the note is a portrait of a man holding a traditional tool used to drill traditional shell money along with a string of shell money on the left side of the note, representing the unique culture of the eastern islands.
  • There are also some additional traditional designs and carved patterns along the top of the note.
  • This beautiful banknote is the result of close collaboration between the Central Bank of the Solomon Islands and De La Rue of the UK.
Security Features
  • The most obvious feature is the bright colour silver security thread. This thread appears in intervals on the surface of the front of the note and changes from red to green as the note is tilted. The letters CBSI and 10 along with the shark images can be seen in the thread when the note is held against the light.
  • Whilst holding the note against the light, the watermark of the Sea Eagle and the letters ‘CBSI’ also become obvious.
  • The familiar raised print of a genuine banknote can be clearly felt on the words ‘SOLOMON ISLANDS’ on the front of the note.

$5 Banknote

 

Theme
  • The new Solomon Islands $5 Polymer Banknote uses strong images and bold colours to reflect the vibrancy of the islands. The theme of Traditional Fishing is brought to life in the new $5 banknote which offers a vision for the creation of a sustainable and responsible fishing industry. The wisdom borne from generations of Islander fishing techniques and traditions are utilized in a modern context to enhance the economic well-being of the Solomon Islands for the very long-term.
  • On the front of the note you’ll see the beautiful coral reefs that surround our Islands form the inspiration for the colour, patterns and texture that appear on the new note. With the reef below and the surface above, a Yellowfin Tuna fiercely battles the fisherman who makes the catch with a traditional hook. The scene of the fish and the hook is used to create large clear windows — unique to polymer banknotes. When it catches the light a colour shift from the amber of the fish and the green of the rippled sea and hook both shift to blue. This effect extends to the two large windows at the opposite end whose design is inspired by traditional wood carvings.
  • On the back of the note is a spear fishing scene illustrates the sense of community and social cohesion that fishing brings while respecting the environment and preserving our marine world for those who follow
Security Features

The new $5 polymer banknote incorporates high durability and advanced security features to
enhance public confidence in the currency and pride to our nation.

  • The most obvious feature is the bright colour switching image of the hook. Multiple dynamic optical feature that changes colour when the banknote is tilted under a light source.
  • The Complex window design incorporating traditional patterns and Yellowfin Tuna.
  • A see through feature of the Frigate birds printed on the front and back of the banknote line up in perfect registration
    when held up to the light.
  • A shadow Image similar to a watermark, a hidden image is revealed when the note is held up to the light.
  • Whilst holding the note, you will feel an Intaglo Tactile Print, a multi-colour raised keyline printing of main design elements on the front and back of the banknote.
  • A one embossed tactile dot can be felt to assist identification of the denomination by the blind and vision-impaired
    community.
  • An Offset UV feature creates a flip between the daylight and the UV visible images when viewed under UV light.
  • Finally a machine readable fluorescing patch on the front of the banknote containing the numeral ‘5’.