Why fans of Fiji's rugby sevens team are clutching this rare banknote during the Olympics (https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-07-25/fiji-rugby-sevens-banknote-tokyo-olympics-games/100314032)
I wonder if they release another one, if they win again.
Well Fiji did it again, gold medal in the Rugby sevens.
I will keep an eye out for any announcement from the Reserve Bank.
Quote from: 'JeffH' pid='125289' dateline='1627513542'Well Fiji did it again, gold medal in the Rugby sevens.
I will keep an eye out for any announcement from the Reserve Bank.
Good. Keep is up-tp-date.
By the way, is it true there is currently a little bit of political unrest in Fiji?
Ralf,
There is always political unrest in Fiji. Some take their politics very seriously and have long memories of past events.
I am not aware of anything more than usual but the severe Covid outbreak has certainly generated strong criticism of the government from opponents. I think that has happened in other countries too.
The general populace however don't take a lot of notice except perhaps at election time. That happens in other countries too.
Thanks for the info Jeff, I missed the Rugby 7 games.
Good to see Fiji won again. Will be interesting to see
if they do do anything numismatic wise this time.
@JeffH:
Thanks for the explanation.
It's very difficult to correctly judge the situation here from Europe.
Quote from: 'Triggersmob' pid='125299' dateline='1627554361'I missed the Rugby 7 games.
Good to see Fiji won again. Will be interesting to see
if they do do anything numismatic wise this time.
Yes, they do:
https://www.rbf.gov.fj/press-release-no-04-rbf-issues-fijis-new-circulation-commemorative-banknote/
No mention of a commemorative coin though.
Oh Ralf, you have one upped me! I have actually been busy the last two days organising our next trip to Fiji in May.*
I will contact my friend tomorrow to ensure a number of these notes are obtained for anyone wanting some. Let me know if you are interested.
P.S. If anyone tells you it is a nightmare to negotiate the use of cancelled flight credits for another flight you better believe them.
* And another trip in September.
Not sure if we will go to Suva this visit. But I can order to be posted to me while I am there.
Fiji Reserve Bank sales. (https://www.rbf.gov.fj/core-functions/currency-management/currency-collectables/)
(https://www.rbf.gov.fj/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/2022-Commemorative-Pricelist-pdf.jpg)
My Fiji friend had already thought of me when the new $7 note was announced. We now have a deal that I will bring him some duty free liquor and he will pay for that with $7 notes.
Win win :good:
Quote from: 'JeffH' pid='126162' dateline='1648445920'My Fiji friend had already thought of me when the new $7 note was announced. We now have a deal that I will bring him some duty free liquor and he will pay for that with $7 notes.
Win win :good:
It's great to have such friends :cool:
Indeed, and unless advised otherwise, some notes will have yours and Steve's names on (not literally).
Hi Jeff,
Thanks very much. If you do get some, please feel free to post Ralf's to me for onforwarding.
We have regular trades.
Good on em, Fiji can do with all the support they can get... but I won't be buying their banknotes as I don't do football, or sport in general. Plus my wife already complains about the clutter.
I have got both issues of the 7 Dollars in my collection.
Aidan.
Back from our Fiji visit. Have some of the new $7 banknotes. Also some spare of the original $7 notes from previous.
All circulated but good condition.
Not much luck with coins, just a few of the new 50 Years of Independence coloured 50¢; the bank I went to didn't have any.
If you are interested in getting some, let me know. I am asking face value plus postage.
The 50¢ coins are all accounted for. Hopefully I will get more next visit in September.
I also have plenty of all denomination coins, various years, in aUNC condition. Original decimal issues (same dies as Australian coins) and the newer, small, steel cored ones (same size as the current New Zealand coins).
(https://www.australian-coins.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10055/139/2022B.jpg)
(https://www.australian-coins.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10055/139/2022A.jpg)
Good to see you back Jeff.
Hope you had a good time.
Those coins look nice.
I have them too. I like how the new note celebrates the Women's team (Fijiana) winning a Bronze.
Do any of you have this one - the $50 note from the Independence anniversray - $50 for 50 years, a bit pricey for most. Its a bit cutesy pie on the reverse too.
[attachment=4116]
[attachment=4117]
It is possible another note may come in 2025 or 2026, but the result was not as good. The men got 2nd at the Olympics beaten by France, but Fijiana failed to medal up.
Who knows.
Has not been many coins or notes out of Fiji lately except the Chinese new year 88 cents and 100 cent lucky notes.
Quote from: 'Tanecoins' pid='130097' dateline='1753010424'Has not been many coins or notes out of Fiji lately except the Chinese new year 88 cents and 100 cent lucky notes.
Presumably, like here, cash usage is declining so no need to pump more into circulation. I find that strange as the merchant card charges are high and a surcharge of 3+% to use a card is virtually universal.
Cash is still king for taxis though and I have never seen a "no cash accepted" sign in Fiji.
I picked up a few of the Independence 50th Anniversary notes on a visit just after their release. I also bought one in a folder from the Reserve Bank when visiting Suva. Plus a 2020 $7.
The $50 folders cost FJ$55 which I tgought was good value. The $7 notes in folders (2017 and/or 2020) are $25 per note.
(https://www.australian-coins.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10055/516/Sep_22_3.jpg)
https://currency.rbf.gov.fj/collections/folders (https://currency.rbf.gov.fj/collections/folders)
My wife has been doing research into an overseas trip next year to Finland, Estonia, Sweden, Norway and Switzerland.
She tells me that much of Sweden and parts of Norway refuse to take cash because they are "tech savvy". We'll book accommodation and flights before we go but a few merchants won't be getting our business if they won't take their own cash.
Japan still supports cash. A few places I saw Cash Only signs.
Quote from: 'gweidion' pid='130121' dateline='1753092768'My wife has been doing research into an overseas trip next year to Finland, Estonia, Sweden, Norway and Switzerland.
She tells me that much of Sweden and parts of Norway refuse to take cash because they are "tech savvy".
Yes, cash is rarely used in the Scandinavian countries (Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Norway). Take a good look at the entrances of shops, stores and restaurants if they still accept cash. There is usually a sign if they do/don't.
''Tech savvy'' is one of the reasons why Scandinavian countries have become ''cash light'' societies. But it's not the only one.
I could tell you more about this. But, sadly and unfortunately, I presently do not have the time to write here more about it. (Sorry).
Using cash in Switzerland should be no problem. Remember, they still have the CHF 1000 banknote (approx. 1900 in AUD). But you will likely not see this note in circulation.
And, finally, enjoy the trip to Europe.
Thanks Ralf, it is not until late March or early April. Still got loads of planning and airfares and accommodation to book. I'm hoping that is out of peak skiing season and before peak summer season. Either way, it still going to be extra costly.
Little by little I've been buying Swiss Francs on my Revolut card. Every time I do I get less and less for the Aussie dollar.
I'm up to about 1300 but I suspect that is no-where near enough.
Wow, I thought the 500 euro note was big.
I can't imagine getting one of those... or breaking it at the Lindt Shop.
I love chocolate, so I wouldn't need to break it at the Lindt shop, just spend the lot. LOL
I'd need an extra big bag to bring that much back.
JeffH, love those packets!
I have never been to Fiji and bought my coins and notes loose from a dealer in Wellington, paying quite a bit for them (NZ$60 for the $50 note, $15 each for the $7 notes and got a polymer $5 note and new $10 quite cheap). The coins cost me about $2 each or so.
Agree about cash going quiet. Not good if we have a digital meltdown (Such as an angry solar flare according to our alarmist news reporters), or electrical power outage. Its getting worse here, as more and more shops ban cash transactions as our Australian owned banks charge for counting and processing cash (I kid you not).
Other anti cash moves here.
1. Replacing Bank ATMs that are free for withdrawals with debit cards throughout NZ regardless of which bank's ATM you use with "Allpoint" ATMS which charge fees of between $1 and $3 unless you join their spying club.
2. Govt just announced they are scrapping credit card surcharges for Mastercard, Visa, and Paywave transactions. American Express, Diners club, JCB and other weird cards will still charge though.
3. Media campaign that cash is used by lowlifes, carries disease and used in casinos and drug deals. In reality pensioners and the poor use cash more than other people, 21% of NZers over 15 don't have a bank account and nearly all are over 80 or non white. Its the usual 'war on the poor' that neo liberal govts wage.
I remember even in 2014 in Switzerland, McDonalds, some cafes and gas stations had a sign on the wall that said "Nein grossen banknote" and showed pictures of the CHF 200 and 1000, along side the 200 and 500 Euro banknotes. So my guess is that they are not popular there in cheaper places.
Finally I read that a couple of years ago, that Singapore and Brunei scrapped their $500, $1,000 and $10,000 banknotes and now their biggest is the $100.
2. Govt just announced they are scrapping credit card surcharges for Mastercard, Visa, and Paywave transactions.
Australia's government is in the process of scrapping credit and debit card surcharges here also but I'll believe it when I see it.
21% of NZers over 15 don't have a bank account and nearly all are over 80 or non white.
Wow, that just blows my mind. I doubt 2% of Australians don't have a bank account.
I refuse to use private ATMs that charge a transaction fee. I have a credit card from one bank and a debit card from another and Bank ATMs in Australia mostly don't charge fees even if card is from another bank.
In Fiji all ATMs charge a fee, FJ$10 or $15 to withdraw cash, and that includes the local banks and the ones that also are big in Australia and new Zealand. All merchants have a card surcharge, typically 3% or 3.2% which is what the banks charge. Then many cards from overseas have very poor exchange rates or charge a fee to use there!
For me cards are plan B for Fiji. Plan A is to take Aussie notes and exchange at the airport when arriving. Unlike most international airports exchange booths aren't a ripoff* and there are two that give as good a rate as you will get anywhere.
* As long as you don't use the official Westpac ones that the airport recommends.
When I was in South Korea (Busan specifically) on our Japan trip, I asked at a tourist information centre which bank I could pick up some won for spending locally. Surprisingly they suggested trying a local money exchanger, there were plenty around, for the best rate. I was walking and spotted a money exchange sign that indicated there was an office upstairs.
Very small steep concrete stairs. This was after crossing a rusty metal ramp. I was getting dubious. Part the way up the stairs an old woman calls out from behind me downstairs "You want money exchange?" She was actually the exchanger. Led to a room that looked like it wasn't an office but not quite accommodation, it had a kids toilet in the corner, she proceeded to ask how much I was after. I think I traded about $50 US for 74000 odd won, while sitting on the floor.
It actually was much better than the bank rate at the time. She had a huge purse stuffed with wads of won.
Then she gave us instructions and took us part way to get to the local park. Nice lady but it still seemed strange.
It takes all kinds.
Had no trouble spending some of the money so as far as I know it wasn't counterfeit.
Jeff, is it not worth taking Fijian cash from here before you go?
Quote from: 'gweidion' pid='130157' dateline='1753957330'Jeff, is it not worth taking Fijian cash from here before you go?
Any I have left I keep and take next time. I can buy here, S•Money usually gives the best rate but delivery fee is an extra cost. For someone in Sydney or Melbourne picking up at one of their branches saves the fee so that makes it a good rate compared to buying it at your local bank branch.
FJD$1,400 cost now is;
S•Money pickup $1,023
S•Money delivered $1,044
Nadi Airport $987*
Global Exchange, which has the Sydney Airport concession $1,083 but only if you pre-order online to pick up. Their rate just to front up at a booth at the airport is typically about 10% worse.
I am happy to save more than 5% when I don't even have to go out of my way.
I also have a Wise debit card which offers an excellent exchange rate and fee free for withdrawals up to a monthly limit of AUD$350 (and even over that the fee is less than 1%). I can load the card online from my bank account while I am in Fiji, if needs be.
My foreign exchange fee free credit card gives full Mastercard rate. The rate today is very competetive but it usually takes a couple of days for the transaction to be processed so you can never be sure what rate you will get.
*The Nadi airport rate is with No1 Currency who have exchange offices all over Fiji so easy to get a top up if I am, for example, going into Suva. They also operate in Australia but pick up only and no locations anywhere near me. Their cost to buy in Australia now is $1,038.
Western Union has a booth at Nadi Airport too and virtually the same rate as No1.
Westpac has two booths at arrivals area but their rate is way worse. I have seen people lining up to get cash at Westpac next to the luggage collection while waiting for their cases. Then ten minutes later smacking their forehead when they see the rate 20 metres down the way ~10% better!
Thanks for that info. If I ever find myself going to Fiji I'll know where to pick up the currency from.
Thanks for the info about Fijian cash, if I ever want to go, those fees are steep!
Won't be spending any of my Fijian collection notes, I paid way too much for them - I mean my $100 note from 2007/12 - With the queen cost me NZ$150, but it was uncirculated - then again I picked up a 1980 (Ricthie/Barnes) $20 of the 1980s series for $24 from the same shop too!
It was the same in Samoa too, you buy your Tala in New Zealand, as they charge like 20% exchange fee in Samoa and Kiwi airports have MoneyXchange and Forex and they pay sh!t rates too, mainly as 90% of our Samoans send money back to Samoa using Western Union and Moneygram and they rip them off hardcore. Finally with Island notes, its good to buy here as you get fresh notes - although always big ones like $50 and $100. The locals use $20 and less and they are usually tatty as all get up, as most are still paper, which lasts a hot minute in the tropics.
Cook Islands was easiest Island for cash, as they use our dollar, and merely a baggie full of $50 notes did the trick!
When I used to buy Fiji notes here before going it was common to get a full run of consectutive serial numbers.