Description
The vatu is the official currency of Vanuatu. The official currency symbol: VT.
The vatu was introduced in 1981 to replace the New Hebrides franc at par. The following year, the Central Bank of Vanuatu issued banknotes in 100, 500, and 1,000 vatu denominations. One year later, coins replaced the 100 vatu note, and the 5,000 vatu banknote was introduced in 1989. After a financial restructuring, the Reserve Bank of Vanuatu took over paper money issuance in 1993, following a financial restructuring, and launched freshly designed 500 and 1000 vatu notes. The first 200-vatu notes were issued in 1995. In addition to the standard 10,000 vatu notes, the Reserve Bank of Vanuatu launched new polymer notes in 2014. Among the new series of notes is a new denomination of 2,000 vatu. Today, are circulating banknotes in denominations of 200VT, 500VT, 1,000VT, 2,000VT, 5,000VT, 10,000VT.
The 500 Vanuatu vatu commemorative note front design features the Coat of Arms of Vanuatu, followed by a shell vignette and an illustration of Vanuatu islands and the country map. The design is completed with the ‘’2017 South Pacific Mini Games’’ logo.
The reverse of the note illustrates the cultural theme represented by traditional dancers, followed by a man drawing with his finger on the sand. The design is completed by a shell vignette and an illustration of Vanuatu islands and the country map. The lettering of the note is presented in the French and English languages. This note is part of the 2017 commemorative series ‘’2017 South Pacific Mini Games’’. Its color is purple and multicolor.