Fiji Elizabeth II 5 Cents

History

5 Cents 1990-2006, KM# 51a, Fiji, Elizabeth II

Obverse. Photo © NumisCorner.com

Description

Fiji, officially the Republic of Fiji, is an island country in Melanesia in the South Pacific Ocean about 1,100 nautical miles (2,000 km; 1,300 mi) northeast of New Zealand's North Island. Fiji is an archipelago of more than 330 islands, of which 110 are permanently inhabited, and more than 500 islets, amounting to a total land area of about 18,300 square kilometres (7,100 sq mi). The two major islands, Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, account for 87% of the total population of 898,760. The capital, Suva on Viti Levu, serves as Fiji's principal cruise port.

Fiji has been inhabited since the second millennium BC, and was settled first by Austronesians and later by Melanesians, with some Polynesian influences. Europeans visited Fiji from the 17th century, and, after a brief period as an independent kingdom, the British established the Colony of Fiji in 1874. Fiji was a Crown colony until 1970, when it gained independence as a Commonwealth realm. A republic was declared in 1987, following a series of coups d'état.

Obverse	Crown, jewelry Diamond Diadem Person (king, queen, tsar etc.) Elizabeth II Third crowned portrait of HM Queen Elizabeth II facing right, wearing the George IV State Diadem. The George IV State Diadem, officially the Diamond Diadem, is a type of crown that was made in 1820 for King George IV. The diadem is worn by queens and queens consort in procession to coronations and State Openings of Parliament. The piece of jewellery has been featured in paintings and on stamps and currency. It can be seen in the Queen's Gallery at Buckingham Palace. Engraver: Raphael David Maklouf ELIZABETH II FIJI 1990 RDM
Reverse	Music (instrument, notes etc.) Drum Fijian drum and denomination. A Lali is an idiophonic Fijian drum of the wooden slit drum type similar to the New Zealand Māori Pahu; commonly found throughout Polynesia. It was an important part of traditional Fijian culture, used as a form of communication to announce births, deaths and wars. A smaller form of the Lali drum (Lali ni meke) is used in music. Lali drums are now used to call the people of an area together, such as church services; the Lali is also used to entertain guests at many hotel resorts. The Lali drum is made out of wood and played with hands but, is most commonly played with sticks (i uaua) which are made out of softer wood so as not to damage the Lali. Historically, a larger and smaller stick were used together when playing the Lali. Engraver: Ken Payne 5 cents
Edge	Reeded (milled)