The yen-backed Oceania pound was used in parts of the Gilberts (now Kiribati), but Japanese influence never actually reached the Ellice Chain (now Tuvalu).

The nine sides on the dollar are meant to represent each of the nine islands and atolls composing the Tuvalu chain.

In recent years, Tuvaluans have also taken a preference to Australia's smaller, round, brass dollar over their own large, clumsy nonogonal ones, and are thus seen a little less often.

In 1994, the Queen's profile was changed in tandem with many other Commonwealth states to the more recent Raphael Maklouf design.

Tuvalu also issues a fair number of non-circulating bullion type coins and colourised commemoratives.

These non-circulating bullion coins are produced by the Perth Mint, which is owned by the Government of Western Australia.

[7] There have been calls from some politicians to abolish Tuvalu's monarchy and remove the sovereign's image from all future coins, however, a majority vote decided otherwise.

The reverse of each coin depicts as follows: In 1942, local banknotes were issued by the colonial government of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands in denominations of 1, 2, 5, and 10 shillings and £1 with equivalent value to the Australian pound.