Five Cents New, Coin Type from Fiji - detailed information

Between 1969 and 2010, the obverse of the 5 cent coins depicted an effigy of the monarch, legend and date. During this time, the only monarch was Queen Elizabeth II and the legend used was ELIZABETH II FIJI.

In 2012, a new series was started where the obverse depicts representatives of the fauna of Fiji. The 5 cents has a local fish ("Luga roro" - Foxfaced Rabbit Fish); the legend is Fiji [year] Nuqa roro.

Lali (a Fijian drum carved from a solid log - the inside hollowed out), beaten with two sticks; above, 5; below, cents.

The design is by J. Ken Payne from Suva, Fiji.

The Reserve Bank of Fiji statement says that "In February 2009, a new set of smaller size and lighter coins were introduced." However, Krause lists both the old "large" 5 cent coins and the new "small" 5 cent coins as virtually the same diameter (the new ones actually slightly larger) and of identical mass.