New Hebrides

New Hebrides is an island group in the South Pacific, split between English and French rule. After 1980 it gained independence and has since existed as the nation of Vanuatu.

Banque de l'Indochine

The Banque de l'Indochine was founded in 1875, and initially operated in China, Saigon (Vietnam), French India and Cochinchina (Vietnam). The bank expanded over the years to include Tonkin (Vietnam), Haiphong (Vietnam), Phnom Penh (Cambodia), Tahiti and Singapore. A branch was even opened in Djibouti. Banque de l'Indochine branches were eventually closed or acquired by other banks starting in the 1940's. Virtually all banknotes were provided by Banque de France, denominated in Francs or Piastres.

1941-1963 Provisional Issues

Overprints on New Caledonia notes

B201b face
B201b face
B201b (
  • KM701b
  • P-4b
) 5 Francs Marianne de Walhain, with Free France overprint
Mauve, Brown on Lt. Green.
  • Printer: BdF
  • ND (1927-31)
  • Sig 7

  • Watermark: Profile of Man's head

(F)
B202a face
B202a face
B202a (
  • KM702
  • P-6
) 20 Francs Woman
Peacock, Butterflies
  • Printer: BdF
  • ND (1941)
  • Sig 5

  • Watermark: Profile of Man's head

(F)
(B)

Institut d'Émission d'Outre-Mer

The IEOM is a French Central Bank created in 1967 and chartered to issue currency for the French Territories in the Pacific (TOM) including New Caledonia, French Polynesia (Tahiti) and Wallis-et-Futuna. Common-design banknotes in CFP Francs are used to this day; New Caledonia's notes are overprinted "NOUMEA", Tahiti's notes are overprinted "PAPEETE".

B403b face
B403b face
B403b (
  • K.903a
  • P-18b
) 100 Francs Girl Playing Guitar, Arial View of Tahiti, New Caledonia
  • Printer: BdF
  • ND (1972)
  • Litho
  • Sig 1
  • “NOUVELLES-HEBRIDES overprint at top and bottom, front and back
  • Series E1 51000 on

  • Watermark: Marianne/RF

(F)
B403c face
B403c face
B403c (
  • K.903b
  • P-18c
) 100 Francs Girl Playing Guitar, Arial View of Tahiti, New Caledonia
  • ND (1975)
  • Litho
  • Sig 2
B403d face
B403d face
B403d (
  • K.903c
  • P-18d
) 100 Francs Girl Playing Guitar, Arial View of Tahiti, New Caledonia
  • ND (1977)
  • Litho
  • Sig 3
B404a face
B404a face
B404a (
  • K.904a
  • P-19a
) 500 Francs Polynesian Fisherman
Marquesas Islands; Rocks at Hienghène, New Caledonia
  • Printer: BdF
  • ND (1970)
  • Intaglio
  • Sig 1
  • {Q{NOUVELLES-HEBRIDES” overprint at top and bottom, front and back

  • Watermark: Marianne/RF

(F)
B404b face
B404b face
B404b (
  • K.904b
  • P-19b
) 500 Francs Polynesian Fisherman
  • ND (1979)
  • Sig 3
B404c face
B404c face
B404c (
  • K.904c
  • P-19c
) 500 Francs Polynesian Fisherman
  • ND (1980)
  • Sig 3A
B405a face
B405a face
B405a (
  • K.906a
  • P-20a
) 1000 Francs Tahitian Woman and Hibiscus Flowers
Local Animals, Mission Church at Vao, Isle of Pines
  • Printer: BdF
  • ND (1970)
  • Intaglio
  • Sig 1
  • “NOUVELLES-HEBRIDES” overprint at top and bottom, front and back

  • Watermark: Marianne/RF

(F)
B405b face
B405b face
B405b (
  • K.906b
  • P-20b
) 1000 Francs Tahitian Woman and Hibiscus Flowers
  • ND (1975)
  • Sig 2
B405c face
B405c face
B405c (
  • K.906c
  • P-20c
) 1000 Francs Tahitian Woman and Hibiscus Flowers
  • ND (1980)
  • Sig 3A

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