Vanuatu vatu

The vatu (sign: VT;ISO 4217: VUV) is the currency of Vanuatu.

The vatu has no subdivisions.

Exchange rate

History

The vatu was introduced in 1981, one year after independence, to replace the New Hebrides franc at par. The vatu was issued as a single unit with no subunit, having 1 vatu being the smallest denomination possible, in a similar vein to the Japanese yen and Tajikistani ruble.

The official ISO code for the Vanuatu vatu is VUV. Its nationally recognized symbol Vt. is the most often used in written format but it is also sometimes written up with the $ symbol. The vatu's introduction also saw the end of the official circulation of the Australian dollar in Vanuatu.

Coins

Vanuatu's first post colonial coin was a 50 vatu coin introduced in 1981 and commemorated independence. It was struck in stainless steel alloy like previous issues and was released into circulation, though originally its release was targeted more towards collectors. Shortly thereafter, in 1983, 1, 2, 5, vatu coins were released in aluminum bronze and 10, 20, and 50-vatu coins were introduced in cupro-nickel, replacing the coinage of the New Hebrides Franc as the new circulation currency. This also replaced the Australian currency that was circulating in the British controlled islands. All Vanuatu coins depict the Vanuatu coat of arms, consisting of a native warrior in front of a whorled pig's tusk, a traditional item of value. The reverses depict other traditional items of value.