French Polynesian franc

The franc is the currency of French Polynesia. It is subdivided into 100 "centimes". Since 1945, it has been part of the CFP franc.

History

Until 1914, the French franc circulated in French Polynesia. That year, banknotes were issued specifically for use on in the colony which circulated along with French coins. In 1945, the CFP franc was introduced, with coins issued for French Oceania ("Etablisements Française de l'Océanie" as the colony was then known) from 1949. From 1965, the name French Polynesia ("Polynesie Française") has been used. The CFP franc is also issued in New Caledonia and was used in the New Hebrides until 1983. Since 1985, banknotes have been issued common to both French Polynesia and New Caledonia, although separate coinages continue.

Coins

In 1949, aluminium 50 centimes, 1 and 2 francs were introduced, followed by aluminium 5 francs in 1952. The 50 centimes was only issued in 1949. These coins carried the name Océanie. From 1965, the name changed to Polynesie. In 1967, nickel 10, 20 and 50 francs were introduced, followed by nickel-bronze 100 francs in 1976.

The overall design of the coins has not changed since their introduction and the obverse has always been identical to that of the coins of the New Caledonian franc. The only notable changes were the removal of the text "Union Française" and the change of name from "Établisements Française de l'Oceanie" to "Polynesie Française" after 1952 and the addition of the initials "I.E.O.M" (Institut d'émission d'Outre-Mer) to the obverse in 1972.

Banknotes

In 1914, the "Banque de l'Indochine" in Papeete (the capital of French Polynesia on Tahiti) introduced notes for 5, 20 and 100 francs. In 1919, the Chamber of Commerce introduced notes for 25 and 50 centimes, 1 and 2 francs. The "Banque André Krajewski" also issued notes for these denominations in 1920. The Banque de l'Indochine introduced 500 franc notes in 1923, followed by 1000 francs in 1940.

In 1969, the "Institut d'Emission d'Outre-Mer, Papeete" took over the issuance of paper money, introducing notes for 100, 500, 1000 and 5000 francs. The 100 and 1000 franc notes have two variants. The earlier issue lacked the state title "République française". The 500 and 5000 franc notes have had the state title since their introductions. The 100 franc notes were replaced by coins in 1976.

In 1985, 10,000 franc notes common to all the French Pacific Territories were introduced. These were followed, between 1992 and 1996, by 500, 1000 and 5000 franc notes for all of the French Pacific Territories. The overall design has not changed since 1969.

ee also

*CFP franc
*New Caledonian franc
*New Hebrides franc

References

*numis cite SCWC|date=1991
*numis cite SCWPM|date=1994

External links

Standard numismatics external links
world_coin_gallery_1_url = Polynesia
world_coin_gallery_1_name = French Polynesia
banknote_world_1_url = Tahiti
banknote_world_1_name = French Polynesia
dollarization_1_url = pf
dollarization_1_name = French Polynesia
gfd_1_url = French_Polynesia
gfd_1_name = French Polynesia
gfd_data_1_url =
gfd_data_1_name =
show_gfd_excel = Y