Solomon Islands pound facts for kids
The pound was the money used in the British Solomon Islands from 1899 to 1966. It was like the British pound. One pound was made up of 20 shillings. Each shilling had 12 pence.
At first, people used British money. Then, in 1916, the Solomon Islands started printing their own paper money. In 1920, Australia's coins and paper money also began to be used there. However, the local Solomon Islands paper money was still printed until 1932.
Around 1930, during a tough economic time called the Great Depression, the Australian pound became worth less than the British pound. This made people wonder which "pound" was the official money in British areas of the Pacific. After a few years, it was decided that most British territories, including the British Solomon Islands Protectorate, would use the Australian pound. Only Fiji used a different pound.
Between 1942 and 1944, during World War II, Japan took control of the Solomon Islands. During this time, a special Japanese currency called the Oceanian pound was used. After the war, the Australian pound returned. In 1966, the Australian pound was replaced by the Australian dollar. Later, in 1977, the Solomon Islands got its own money, the Solomon Islands dollar.
Paper Money of the Past
The first paper money made just for the British Solomon Islands was approved in 1916. Before this, people used Australian money and notes from a company called Burns Philip.
The very first official notes arrived in the capital, Tulagi, on July 9, 1917. They were printed in London and dated December 18, 1916. This first delivery included notes worth 5 shillings, 10 shillings, 1 pound, and 5 pounds. These notes were given out to the public two days later. The 5-pound note was only printed once, in 1916. The 5-shilling notes were used until 1926, the 10-shilling notes until 1932, and the 1-pound notes until 1933.
Find Out More
- Economy of the Solomon Islands
- Banknotes of the British Solomon Islands Protectorate
