The history of banknotes in Nauru is relatively brief, as this small Pacific island nation has mainly used foreign currencies throughout its history. However, there are some interesting aspects related to its monetary system and the banknotes that have circulated in the country.
Current banknotes in circulation
Nauru does not currently issue its own banknotes. The country has officially used the Australian dollar as legal tender since 1914. The banknotes in circulation are therefore the same as those used in Australia, with denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 Australian dollars. These modern banknotes are made of polymer and have advanced security features.
Historical banknotes and curiosities
Although Nauru has never issued its own banknotes on a regular basis, there are some notable facts in its monetary history. During World War II, when the island was occupied by Japanese forces, Japanese occupation bills were used. In addition, in 1968, to commemorate its independence, Nauru issued a limited series of commemorative $1, $2, $5 and $10 bills. These bills, although technically legal tender, were mainly produced for collector's purposes and are now highly sought after pieces by note enthusiasts.
