Official country name: Solomon Islands
The Dollar is has been the official currency of the Solomon Islands since 1977. In order to differentiate the currency against the Dollars of many other nations, the Solomon Islands Dollar is often labeled SI$.
Currency history
- Prior to 1977, the nation relied on currencies from other countries, in particular the British Pound and the Australian Dollar.
- When the Solomon Islands gained its independence in 1977, the Australian Dollar was replaced by the Solomon Islands Dollar at par. At the time, the country introduced the first coins and banknotes to be used in trade.
- For the next 4 years, the Solomon Islands Dollar remained equivalent in value to the Australian dollar. However, in 1979 the Dollar was revalued to equal A$1.05. After five months at this new value, the peg was removed and the Solomon Islands Dollar was allowed to float in value.
- For the next few decades, the country’s economy stagnated, leading to a considerable devaluation of the Dollar. As such, other specialty goods, including rare items such as dolphin’s teeth, have been used as a currency by some of the local people.
1 Dollar = 100 Cents; ISO code = SBD 090
23rd September 2023, 1 USD = 8.15 solomon dollars; 1 Euro = 9.48 solomon dollars
Country state: Complete
GOVERNMENT OF THE BRITISH SOLOMON ISLANDS
Pound System
- 1916-1932 “Arms” Issue
(uniface)
5 Shillings P-1; B-101 Color: Green Dimensions: 187 x 86 mm Demonetized: 24.09.1937
Front: Coat of arms.
Back: Uniface.
Security thread: None.
Printer: Thomas De La Rue & Company, Limited (England) - TDLR.
Watermark: Arrow pattern.
| Description | G | Fine |
| a. Date: 18th December 1916. Serial #: A/1 00001 - A/1 02000. Intro: 16.07.1917. Issued: 2,000. Sign 1. | 1000. | 6800. |
| b. Date: 27th July 1921. Serial #: A/1 02001 - A/1 04000. Issued: 2,000. Sign 2. | 1000. | 6800 |
| c. Date: 2nd January 1926. Serial #: A/1 04001 - A/1 06000. Issued: 1,546. Sign 3. | 1000. | 6800 |
(uniface)
10 shillings P-2; B-102 Color: Red Dimensions: 187 x 86 mm Demonetized: 24.09.1937
Front: Coat of arms.
Back: Uniface.
Security thread: None.
Printer: Thomas De La Rue & Company, Limited (England) - TDLR.
Watermark: Arrow pattern.
| Description | G | Fine |
| a. Date: 18th December 1916. Serial #: A/1 00001 - A/1 02000. Intro: 16.07.1917. Issued: 2,000. Sig. 1. | 700. | 2800. |
| b. Date: 27th July 1921. Serial #: A/1 02001 - A/1 04000. Issued: 2,000. Sig. 2. | 700. | 2800. |
| c. Date: 2nd January 1926. Serial #: A/1 04001 - A/1 06000. Issued: 2,000. Sig. 3. | 700. | 2800. |
| d. Date: unknown (1930-31). Serial #: A/1 06001 - A/1 07000. Issued: 847. Sig. unknown. | - | - |
| e. Date: 30th June 1932. Serial #: A/1 07001 - A/1 08000. Issued: 0, Sig. 4. | - | - |
(uniface)
1 Pound P-3; B-103 Color: Blue Dimensions: 187 x 86 mm Demonetized: 24.09.1937
Front: Coat of arms.
Back: Uniface.
Security thread: None.
Printer: Thomas De La Rue & Company, Limited (England) - TDLR.
Watermark: Arrow pattern.
| Description | G | Fine |
| a. Date: 18th December 1916. Serial #: A/1 00001 - A/1 05000. Intro: 16.07.1917. Issued: 5,000. Sig. 1. | 1300. | 5200. |
| b. Date: 2nd January 1926. Serial #: A/1 05001 - A/1 07000. Issued: 2,000. Sig. 3. | 750. | 3000. |
| c. Serial #: A/1 07001 - A/1 08000. Issued: 1,000. Sig. 5. | - | - |
| d. Date: 30th June 1932. Serial #: A/1 08001 - A/1 09000. Issued: 1,000. Sig. 4. | 750. | 3000. |
| e. Date: 1st December 1933. Serial #: A/1 09001 - A/1 10000. Issued: 68. Sig. 6. | - | - |
(uniface)
5 Pounds P-4; B-104 Color: Brown Dimensions: 187 x 86 mm Demonetized: 24.09.1937
Front: Coat of arms.
Back: Uniface.
Security thread: None.
Printer: Thomas De La Rue & Company, Limited (England) - TDLR.
Watermark: Arrow pattern.
| Description | G | Fine |
| a. Date: 18th December 1916. Serial #: A/1 00001 - A/1 00500. Intro: 16.07.1917. Issued: 124. Sign 1. | - | - |
Signatures:
SOLOMON ISLANDS MONETARY AUTHORITY
Dollar System
- ND (1977-1981) “Elizabeth II” Issue
2 Dollars P-5; B-101 Color: Green Dimensions: 140 x 70 mm
Front: Queen Elizabeth II.
Back: Fishermen.
Security thread: Solid.
Printer: Thomas De La Rue & Company, Limited (England) - TDLR.
Watermark: Falcon in flight.
| Description | VF | UNC |
| a. Date: ND. Prefix: A/1, A/2. Replacement: Prefix Z/1. Intro: 24.10.1977. Sign 1. | 2.00 | 10. |
5 Dollars P-6; B-102 Color: Blue Dimensions: 145 x 75 mm
Front: Queen Elizabeth II.
Back: Longboat.
Security thread: Solid.
Printer: Thomas De La Rue & Company, Limited (England) - TDLR.
Watermark: Falcon in flight.
| Description | VF | UNC |
| a. Date: ND. Prefix: A/1. Replacement: Prefix Z/1. Intro: 24.10.1977. Sign 1. | 5.00 | 27. |
| b. Sign 2. | 6.00 | 30. |
10 Dollars P-7; B-103 Color: Violet and purple Dimensions: 150 x 80 mm
Front: Queen Elizabeth II.
Back: Weaver.
Security thread: Solid.
Printer: Thomas De La Rue & Company, Limited (England) - TDLR.
Watermark: Falcon in flight.
| Description | VF | UNC |
| a. Date: ND. Prefix: A/1. Replacement: Prefix Z/1. Intro: 24.10.1977. Sign 1. | 7.50 | 35. |
| b. Sign 2. | 8.00 | 40. |
20 Dollars P-8; B-104 Color: Brown and orange Dimensions: 155 x 85 mm
Front: Queen Elizabeth II.
Back: Fishermen.
Security thread: Solid.
Printer: Thomas De La Rue & Company, Limited (England) - TDLR.
Watermark: Falcon in flight.
| Description | VF | UNC |
| a. Date: ND. Prefix: A/1. Replacement: Prefix Z/1. Intro: 24.10.1980. Sign 3. | 20. | 65. |
Signatures:
CENTRAL BANK OF SOLOMON ISLANDS
- ND (1984) Issue
10 Dollars P-11; B-201 Color: Violet and purple Dimensions: 150 x 80 mm
Front: Queen Elizabeth II.
Back: Weaver.
Security thread: Solid.
Printer: Thomas De La Rue & Company, Limited (England) - TDLR.
Watermark: Falcon in flight.
Signature: Philip Corney & Jezriel Korinihona.
| Description | VF | UNC |
| a. Date: ND. Prefix: A/2. Intro: 1984. | 7.50 | 30. |
20 Dollars P-12; B-202 Color: Brown and orange Dimensions: 155 x 85 mm
Front: Queen Elizabeth II.
Back: Fishermen.
Security thread: Solid.
Printer: Thomas De La Rue & Company, Limited (England) - TDLR.
Watermark: Falcon in flight.
Signature: Philip Corney & Jezriel Korinihona.
| Description | VF | UNC |
| a. Date: ND. Prefix: A/1. Replacement: Prefix Z/1. Intro: 24.10.1980. | 15. | 55. |
- ND (1986-1997) “Arms / Equal and Ascending Size Serial #” Issue
2 Dollars P-13; B-203 Color: Green Dimensions: 140 x 70 mm
Front: Birds; fish; coat of arms.
Back: Men spear fishing.
Security thread: Solid.
Printer: Thomas De La Rue & Company, Limited (England) - TDLR.
Watermark: Falcon in flight.
Signatures: Anthony V. Hughes & Anthony V. Hughes.
| Description | VF | UNC |
| a. Date: ND. Prefix: B/1 - B/4. Replacement: Prefix Y/1. Intro: 1986. | - | 2.25 |
P-18; B-208. (Ascending serial # one in black, one in red).
Security thread: Solid with demetalized CBSI.
Signatures: Rick N. Houenipwela & Warren Paia.
| Description | VF | UNC |
| a. Date: ND. Prefix: C/1 - C/3. Replacement: Prefix X/1. Intro: 1997. | - | 2.00 |
5 Dollars P-14; B-204 Color: Blue Dimensions: 142 x 72 mm
Front: Birds; fish; coat of arms.
Back: Longboat.
Security thread: Solid.
Printer: Thomas De La Rue & Company, Limited (England) - TDLR.
Watermark: Falcon in flight.
Signatures: Anthony V. Hughes & Anthony V. Hughes.
| Description | VF | UNC |
| a. Date: ND. Prefix: B/1 - B/2. Replacement: Prefix Y/1. Intro: 1986. | - | 5.00 |
P-19; B-209. (Ascending serial # one in black, one in red).
Security thread: Solid with demetalized CBSI.
Signatures: Rick N. Houenipwela & Warren Paia.
| Description | VF | UNC |
| a. Date: ND. Prefix: C/1, C/2. Replacement: Prefix X/1. Intro: 1997. | - | 4.00 |
10 Dollars P-15; B-205 Color: Violet and purple Dimensions: 147 x 74 mm
Front: Birds; fish; coat of arms.
Back: Weaver.
Security thread: Solid.
Printer: Thomas De La Rue & Company, Limited (England) - TDLR.
Watermark: Falcon in flight.
Signatures: Anthony V. Hughes & Anthony V. Hughes.
| Description | VF | UNC |
| a. Date: ND. Prefix: B/1 - B/3. Replacement: Prefix Y/1. Intro: 1986. | - | 10. |
P-20; B-210. (Ascending serial # one in black, one in red).
Security thread: Solid with demetalized CBSI.
Signatures: Rick N. Houenipwela & Warren Paia.
| Description | VF | UNC |
| a. Date: ND. Prefix: C/1. Replacement: Prefix X/1. Intro: 1997. | - | 7.00 |
20 Dollars P-16; B-206 Color: Brown and orange Dimensions: 154 x 77 mm
Front: Birds; fish; coat of arms.
Back: Warriors.
Security thread: Solid.
Printer: Thomas De La Rue & Company, Limited (England) - TDLR.
Watermark: Falcon in flight.
Signatures: Anthony V. Hughes & Anthony V. Hughes.
| Description | VF | UNC |
| a. Date: ND. Prefix: B/1. Replacement: Prefix Y/1. Intro: 1986. | - | 20. |
P-21; B-211. (Ascending serial # one in black, one in red).
Security thread: Solid with demetalized CBSI.
Signatures: Rick N. Houenipwela & Warren Paia.
| Description | VF | UNC |
| a. Date: ND. Prefix: C/1 - C/3. Replacement: Prefix X/1. Intro: 1997. | - | 12. |
50 Dollars P-17; B-207 Color: Purple, green, and yellow Dimensions: 160 x 79 mm
Front: Birds; fish; coat of arms.
Back: Geckos, shell.
Security thread: Solid.
Printer: Thomas De La Rue & Company, Limited (England) - TDLR.
Watermark: Falcon in flight.
Signatures: Anthony V. Hughes & Anthony V. Hughes.
| Description | VF | UNC |
| a. Date: ND. Prefix: B/1. Replacement: Prefix Y/1. Intro: 13.10.1986. | - | 45. |
P-22; B-212. (Ascending serial # one in black, one in red).
Security thread: Solid with demetalized CBSI.
Signatures: Rick N. Houenipwela & Warren Paia.
| Description | VF | UNC |
| a. Date: ND. Prefix: C/1. Replacement: Prefix X/1. Intro: 1997. | - | 30. |
P-24; B-214. Dimensions: 162 x 72 mm
Security thread: Windowed with demetalized CBSI.
Watermark: Falcon head with electrotype CBSI.
Signatures: Rick N. Houenipwela & George Kiriau.
| Description | VF | UNC |
| a. Date: ND. Prefix: A/25. Intro: June 2001. | - | 30. |
- ND (2004-2011) “Arms and Flag” Issue
2 Dollars P-25; B-215 Color: Green Dimensions: 142 x 72 mm
Front: Flag; Birds; fish; coat of arms.
Back: Men spear fishing.
Security thread: Windowed with demetalized scroll.
Printer: Thomas De La Rue & Company, Limited (England) - TDLR.
Watermark: Falcon head, electrotype CBSI, and Cornerstones.
| Description | VF | UNC |
| a. Date: ND. Prefix: C/2. Replacement: Prefix X/1. Intro: 2006. Sign 1. | - | 2.50 |
| b. Prefix: C/7, C/8. Sign 3. | - | 2.50 |
5 Dollars P-26; B-216 Color: Blue Dimensions: 145 x 72 mm
Front: Flag; Birds; fish; coat of arms.
Back: Men spear fishing.
Security thread: Solid with demetalized CBSI.
Printer: Thomas De La Rue & Company, Limited (England) - TDLR.
Watermark: Falcon head, electrotype CBSI, and Cornerstones.
| Description | VF | UNC |
| a. Date: ND. Prefix: C/2. Replacement: Prefix X/1. Intro: 2004. Sign 1. | - | 4.00 |
| b. Prefix: C/4. Sign 2. | - | 4.00 |
| c. Prefix: C/5 - C/7. Sign 3. | - | 4.00 |
| d. Prefix: C/11. Sign 4. | - | 4.00 |
10 Dollars P-27; B-217 Color: Violet and purple Dimensions: 147 x 72 mm
Front: Flag; Birds; fish; coat of arms.
Back: Men spear fishing.
Security thread: Windowed with demetalized CBSI.
Printer: Thomas De La Rue & Company, Limited (England) - TDLR.
Watermark: Falcon head, electrotype CBSI, and Cornerstones.
| Description | VF | UNC |
| a. Date: ND. Prefix: C/2. Replacement: Prefix X/1. Sign 1. | - | 7.50 |
| b. Prefix: C/3 - C/5. Intro: 19.08.2009. Sign 2. | - | 7.50 |
| c. Prefix: C/5. Sign 3. | - | 7.50 |
20 Dollars P-28; B-218 Color: Brown and orange Dimensions: 155 x 72 mm
Front: Flag; Birds; fish; coat of arms.
Back: Men spear fishing.
Security thread: Windowed with demetalized CBSI.
Printer: Thomas De La Rue & Company, Limited (England) - TDLR.
Watermark: Falcon head, electrotype CBSI, and Cornerstones.
| Description | VF | UNC |
| a. Date: ND. Intro: 2004. Prefix: C/2. Sign 1. | - | 15. |
| b. Prefix: C/3, C/4. Sign 3. | - | 15. |
50 Dollars P-29; B-219 Color: Purple, green and yellow Dimensions: 160 x 72 mm
Front: Flag; Birds; fish; coat of arms.
Back: Men spear fishing.
Security thread: Windowed with demetalized CBSI.
Printer: Thomas De La Rue & Company, Limited (England) - TDLR.
Watermark: Falcon head, electrotype CBSI, and Cornerstones.
| Description | VF | UNC |
| a. Date: ND. Intro: 04.10.2007. Prefix: A/1. Replacement: Prefix Z. Sign 1. | - | 30. |
| b. Prefix: B/1. Sign 2. | - | 30. |
100 Dollars P-30; B-220 Color: Brown and orange Dimensions: 162 x 72 mm
Front: Flag; Birds; fish; coat of arms.
Back: Men spear fishing.
Security thread: Windowed with demetalized design.
Printer: Thomas De La Rue & Company, Limited (England) - TDLR.
Watermark: Falcon head, electrotype CBSI, and Cornerstones.
| Description | VF | UNC |
| a. Date: ND. Intro: 02.09.2006. Prefix: A/1. Sign 1. | - | 75. |
| b. Prefix: A/2. Sign 2. | - | 75. |
| c. Prefix: A/4. Sign 3. | - | 75. |
Signatures:
Current banknotes
5 Dollars (US$0.61; €0.53) P-38; B-221 Color: Blue and yellow Dimensions: 131 x 67 mm Polymer: GUARDIAN™
Front: Arms.
Back: Tuna fishing.
Security thread: None.
Printer: De La Rue, London (England) - DLR.
Watermark: None.
Date: ND (2019). Intro: 02.05.2019.
a. Sign 1.
b. Sign 2.
Read CCL Secure article:
'Solomon Islands Wins Gold For New $5 Guardian™ Banknote'
Numismatic product
10 Dollars (US$1.23; €1.06) P-33; B-222 Color: Red Dimensions: 137 x 68 mm
Front: Flag, arms.
Back: Weaver.
Security thread: Windowed with demetalized CBSI.
Printer: De La Rue, London (England) - DLR.
Watermark: Bird and electrotype CBSI.
Date: ND (2017).
a. Sign 1.
b. Sign 2.
20 Dollars (US$2.46; €2.11) P-34; B-223 Color: Purple Dimensions: 140 x 66 mm
Front: Flag, arms.
Back: Women dancing, man.
Security thread: Windowed with demetalized CBSI.
Printer: De La Rue, London (England) - DLR.
Watermark: Falcon head, electrotype CBSI, and Cornerstones.
Date: ND (2017). Intro: 23.01.2017.
a. Sign 1.
b. Sign 2.
50 Dollars (US$6.14; €5.28) P-35; B-221 Color: Green Dimensions: 160 x 72 mm Substrate: Hybrid
Front: Flag, arms.
Back: Geckos, shell.
Security thread: Optiks with demetalized design.
Printer: De La Rue, London (England) - DLR.
Watermark: Falcon head, electrotype CBSI and Cornerstones.
Date: ND (2013). Intro: 26.09.2013.
a. Sign 1.
b. Sign 3.
Numismatic product
P-NL; BNP202 50 dollars
a. P-35; B221a (1 note) in folder.
100 Dollars (US$12.28; €10.55) P-36; B-225 Color: Brown and yellow Dimensions: 150 x 66 mm Substrate: Hybrid
Front: Flag, arms.
Back: Coconut harvest.
Security: Optiks security thread with demetalized design.
Printer: De La Rue, London (England) - DLR.
Watermark: Falcon head, electrotype CBSI and Cornerstones.
Date: ND (2015). Intro: 10.04.2015.
a. Sign 1.
b. Sign 3.
Signatures:
Commemorative and numismatic issues
P-NL; BNP101 2 - 10 dollars
a. P-5; B101a, P-6; B102a, and P-7; B103a (3 notes) with matching serial numbers in first day of issue stamped envelopes, in album with seven coins.
Intro: 24.10.1977.
2 Dollars P-23; B-213 Color: Green Dimensions: 140 x 72 mm Polymer GUARDIAN®
Front: Arms.
Back: Fishermen.
Security thread: Simulated windowed with demetalized CBSI.
Printer: Note Printing Australia, Melbourne (Australia) - NPA.
Watermark: Coat of arms and CBSI.
Date: 20(01). Intro: 21.06.2001.
Signatures: Rick N Houenipwela & George Kiriau.
Numismatic product
P-NL; BNP201 2 dollars
a. P-23; B213 (1 note) in folder.
40 Dollars (US$4.91; €4.22) P-37; B-226 Color: Blue Dimensions: 131 x 67 mm Polymer: GUARDIAN™
Front: Man blowing conch shell, map of the Solomon Islands, arms.
Back: Girls, shoreline, boat, turtle, diver.
Security thread: None.
Printer: De La Rue, London (England) - DLR.
Watermark: None.
Date: 2018. Replacement: prefix: X/1. Intro: 07.07.2018.
Quantity: 100 000.
Signatures: Denton H. Rarawa & Fred Fakari.
Folder:
Only 100 folders issued and sold for SI$75 each without the note.
2 Dollars PCS1; BNP102 Color: Green Dimensions: 139 x 70 mm
Front: Elizabeth II. Diagonal SPECIMEN overprint.
Back: Fishermen. Diagonal SPECIMEN overprint.
Security thread: Solid.
Printer: Thomas De La Rue & Company, Limited (England) - TDLR.
Watermark: Falcon in flight.
Date: ND. Maltese cross prefix. Intro: 03.07.1979.
Signatures: John Palfrey & Jezriel Korinihona.
5 Dollars PCS1; BNP102 Color: Blue Dimensions: 144 x 72 mm
Front: Elizabeth II. Diagonal SPECIMEN overprint.
Back: Longboat. Diagonal SPECIMEN overprint.
Security thread: Solid.
Printer: Thomas De La Rue & Company, Limited (England) - TDLR.
Watermark: Falcon in flight.
Date: ND. Maltese cross prefix. Intro: 03.07.1979.
Signatures: John Palfrey & Jezriel Korinihona.
10 Dollars PCS1; BNP102 Color: Pink Dimensions: 147 x 74 mm
Front: Elizabeth II. Diagonal SPECIMEN overprint.
Back: Weaver. Diagonal SPECIMEN overprint.
Security thread: Solid.
Printer: Thomas De La Rue & Company, Limited (England) - TDLR.
Watermark: Falcon in flight.
Date: ND. Maltese cross prefix. Intro: 03.07.1979.
Signatures: John Palfrey & Jezriel Korinihona.
Terms of import and export of currencies
Currency Import regulations:
Local currency (Solomon Isl. Dollar-SBD) and foreign currencies: amounts exceeding SBD 50,000.- or equivalent must be declared.
Currency Export regulations:
Local currency and foreign currencies: up to the amounts imported and declared.