Fiji's shift to brass-plated steel for this denomination was part of a broader coinage reform driven by the rising cost of the older nickel-brass composition, a problem common to Pacific island nations whose coin supply depends almost entirely on foreign minting contracts. These pieces were struck at the Royal Canadian Mint, which has held the Fijian minting contract through successive currency reforms dating back decades.
The series spans the post-coup period under the Bainimarama government, during which Fiji remained suspended from the Pacific Islands Forum.
Fiji's shift to brass-plated steel for this denomination was part of a broader coinage reform driven by the rising cost of the older nickel-brass composition, a problem common to Pacific island nations whose coin supply depends almost entirely on foreign minting contracts. These pieces were struck at the Royal Canadian Mint, which has held the Fijian minting contract through successive currency reforms dating back decades.
The series spans the post-coup period under the Bainimarama government, during which Fiji remained suspended from the Pacific Islands Forum.