Solomon Islands New Banknote released in celebration of the XVII Pacific Games

Previously referred to as the South Pacific Games from their introduction in 1963 until 2007, they are now known as the Pacific Games and are a regionwide multi-sport event held every four years among athletes from Oceania. The inaugural Games took place sixty years ago in Suva, Fiji, and most recently in 2019 hosted in Apia, Samoa. Since their introduction, nine different cities in six countries and territories have hosted the Pacific Games. They are Fiji, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, French Polynesia and United States territory of Guam. This year, The Solomon Islands becomes the seventh country to host the event in the capital of Honiara and the first time they will do so. Currently 24 island nations are eligible to enter athletes who will compete in 24 sports tournaments. In 2018, the Pacific Games Council began discussions for potential additional members to include Easter Island, West Papua, Hawaii and Christmas Island. The Games commence on the 19th November and conclude on the 2nd December 2023.

The new Solomon Islands $10 commemorative banknote. Image: Solomon Islands Central Bank.

The banknotes are produced by De La Rue, UK on behalf of the Central Bank of the Solomon Islands. Measuring 137 / 67 mm. and retaining the same predominantly red colour specifics as the circulation-type $10 paper note, they are printed on Safeguard® polymer and its design corresponds to the current series introduced between 2013 and 2017. The design on the obverse or front side includes an image of the flag of the Solomon Islands which is centred and with the denomination of TEN DOLLARS super-imposed over. The official logo of the 2023 XVII Pacific Games is placed just to the left of the flag. Over the translucent window field are the images of an eagle’s head and a portion of the official Games logo consisting of three gathered stylised paddles and water wave signifying a journey concluding by arriving at the desired destination. The Solomon Islands crest is placed to the right half of the note. The reverse side features depictions of Solomon Islands athletes participating and competing in various sports such as rugby, weight-lifting, track & field and bodybuilding which are all contested during the Pacific Games.

Security features include:

• Fluorescent serial number. The prefix on each commemorative note carries the denotation SI along with the numeral 23 followed by a six-digit serial number and appears fluorescent when the note is held under a UV source of light.
• Tactile application. A series of six imprinted dots located to the lower right edge (front side) is included to aid identifying the banknote for visually impaired persons.
• Micro-lettering. A continuous vertical line located just under the banknote’s heading of SOLOMON ISLANDS is included using a micro-text print which reads CENTRAL BANK OF SOLOMON ISLANDS.
• Ultra-Violet UV application. Applied to portions of the Pacific Games logo, the eagle’s head and to elements of the geometric traditional patterns shown as the note’s underprint is a UV application and when viewed under a UV light source, these designs glow in different colours.

The new banknote was officially launched ahead of the XVII Pacific Games and is expected to be widely circulated for use throughout the Solomon Islands alongside the current $10 denomination. The new banknotes are limited to one million pieces and are available through the usual channels of commercial banks and post offices.