Despite Fiji having been a republic since 1987, coins and banknotes continued to feature Queen Elizabeth II until 2013, when her portrait was replaced with pictures of plants and animals.

[citation needed] These were struck by the Royal Canadian Mint and are made with the three-ply electroplate method.

A thinner brass plated steel $1 coin was later introduced in 2010, gradually phasing out the older type.

This coin faced controversy due to being too easily mistaken as a $1, as it was only slightly larger of the same colour.

[2] The metallic content of both the $1 and $2 was also changed in 2014 for better durability and resistance to wear after widespread complaints of the coins corroding and "turning black".

[3] The Central Monetary Authority took over the issuance of paper money in 1974, issuing the same denominations, although the 50c note was replaced by a coin on 3 March 1975.

[4] On 16 August 2005, Finance Minister Ratu Jone Kubuabola announced that the Cabinet had approved the introduction of a $100 banknote and the withdrawal of the 1 and 2 cent coin, as the minting cost exceeded its face value.

On 2 March 2011, it was announced that Fiji would drop Queen Elizabeth II's portrait from its coins and notes, instead opting for local flora and fauna.

[22] Polymer plastic-coated notes were introduced in 2007, featuring images of local people, culture, trade and industry.

The new $5 note, the first banknote from the "Flora and Fauna" design series, entered into circulation on 2 April 2013.