🇻🇺 1993 Vanuatu 1000 Vatu Banknote – Tradition, Navigation & National Identity

Pick# 6 | Numista# 309365

Issued by the Reserve Bank of Vanuatu, the 1993 1000 Vatu banknote is a powerful representation of Melanesian heritage, post-independence pride, and Pacific island culture. As one of the highest denominations of its time, this note blends traditional symbolism with national unity under the motto “Long God yumi stanap” – “With God we stand.”



🖼️ Design Highlights

Obverse: Features the national coat of arms with a Melanesian chief holding a spear, set against a multicolored underprint. The note includes inscriptions in English, French, and Bislama, reflecting Vanuatu’s trilingual identity.

Reverse: Depicts three ceremonial carvings, a map of the Vanuatu archipelago, and three men in an outrigger sailboat, celebrating the island’s navigational traditions and cultural artistry.

Color Scheme: Black on light orange and green, with multicolored underprint and fine engraving.



📌 Key Specifications
Feature Description
Country Vanuatu
Issuer Reserve Bank of Vanuatu
Year of Issue ND (1993)
Denomination 1000 Vatu
Pick Number P# 6
Numista Catalog N# 309365
Signatures Jayantkumar Virani & Sela Molisa
Printer Thomas De La Rue, London
Size 150 × 75 mm
Material Paper
Watermark Bearded Melanesian male head
Security Features Watermark, solid security thread, UV elements
Demonetized Yes (replaced by polymer series in 2014)


🎁 Why Collect This Note?

The 1993 Vanuatu 1000 Vatu note is a standout piece of Pacific island currency, ideal for:

Collectors of Melanesian or Oceanic banknotes

Enthusiasts of tribal art, navigation, and post-colonial identity

Gifts for those born in 1993 or with ties to Vanuatu

Whether you're drawn to its symbolic imagery, scarcity, or cultural richness, this note is a meaningful addition to any world currency collection.