French Polynesia

French Establishments in Oceania (1843-1957), French Polynesia (1957-present)

French Dependency (1843-present)

Location: Polynesia

Capital City: Papeete

Government type: French Colony (1843-1946), Overseas Territory of France (1946-2003), Overseas Country of France (2003-present)

Main languages: French, Tahitian, Austral, Rapa, Mangarevan, Tuamotuan, Marquesan

Main religions: Protestant Christianity, Catholic Christianity

Chronology

1842: Marquesas Islands come under French rule and Tahiti made a protectorate

1843: Marquesas and Tahiti united as the French Establishments in Oceania. Other islands and island groups added until 1901

1946: Designated an Overseas Territory

1977: Autonomy Granted, expanded in 1984

2003: Designated an Overseas Country

Currency

Franc (1919-1944)

1 Franc = 100 Centimes

CFP Franc (1945-present)

1 Franc = 100 Centimes

Note: Since 2021, the French Pacific Territories no longer issue unique coins and use the same design across French Polynesia, New Caledonia, and Wallis & Futuna.

Coins from French Polynesia in the collection

•1 Franc, 1975 (aluminum-magnesium, Paris mint, KM#11)

•1 Franc, 1979 (aluminum-magnesium, Paris mint, KM#11)

•1 Franc, 2003 (aluminum-magnesium, Paris mint, KM#11)

•2 Franc, 1949 (aluminum-magnesium, Paris mint, KM#3)

•2 Franc, 1965 (aluminum-magnesium, Paris mint, KM#3)

•5 Franc, 1952 (aluminum-magnesium, Paris mint, KM#4)

•5 Franc, 1965 (aluminum-magnesium, Paris mint, KM#4)

•5 Franc, 1983 (aluminum-magnesium, Paris mint, KM#12)

•5 Franc, 1998 (aluminum-magnesium, Paris mint, KM#12)

•10 Franc, 1967 (nickel, Paris mint, KM#5)

•10 Franc, 1973 (nickel, Paris mint, KM#8)

•10 Franc, 1975 (nickel, Paris mint, KM#8)

•10 Franc, 1979 (nickel, Paris mint, KM#8)

•10 Franc, 1983 (nickel, Paris mint, KM#8)

•10 Franc, 1984 (nickel, Paris mint, KM#8)

•20 Franc, 1969 (nickel, Paris mint, KM#6)

•20 Franc, 1979 (nickel, Paris mint, KM#9)

•20 Franc, 1984 (nickel, Paris mint, KM#9)

•50 Franc, 1967 (nickel, Paris mint, KM#7)

•50 Franc, 1975 (nickel, Paris mint, KM#13)

•50 Franc, 1982 (nickel, Paris mint, KM#13)

•50 Franc, 1991 (nickel, Paris mint, KM#13)

•100 Franc, 1976 (nickel brass, Paris mint, KM#14)

•100 Franc, 1992 (nickel brass, Paris mint, KM#14)

Banknotes from French Polynesia in the collection

•500 Franc, 1970 (P#25)