French Polynesian Coins

A-Z Countries Index A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

We Want To Buy French Polynesian Coins

Early History of French Polynesia
Prior to French colonisation, the islands were (and still are) populated by Polynesians, seafaring peoples who settled over many islands in the pacific, including those of French Polynesia. It is believed that Polynesians first started to arrive in the islands from about 300 AD. The first island to be spotted by European explorers was Pukapuka, which was first sighted by the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan in 1521. Over the next 200 years, more islands were discovered and visited by various Dutch, Spanish, French and British explorers.

French Colonisation
In 1834, French missionaries arrived in Tahiti to proselytise the local population. This attempt to convert the population to Christianity did not go down well with certain elements on the island, and the missionaries were expelled a few years later. In response, the French despatched a gunboat to force the local Tahitians to accept the return of the missionaries, and in 1842, Tahiti and nearby Tahuata were declared as French Protectorates. The capital, Papeete was established the following year.
Over the coming years, protectorates were established over many of the other surrounding islands, and finally the islands were consolidated into a single protectorate in 1889.

French Oceania
Following the defeat and occupation of France by the Nazi Germans in 1940, French Oceania was one of the few French Colonies or Protectorates to declare for Free France, and many Polynesians joined the Free French Forces to fight under de Gaulle until the liberation of France in 1944. In 1946, the status of French Oceania was changed from that of a protectorate into a French overseas territory, and residents were upgraded from the status of French subjects to French citizens. In 1958, French Oceania's name was changed to French Polynesia.

French Polynesia Since 1958
In 1962, the Maruroa atoll was selected to be the site of French nuclear testing, and was used for this purpose until 1996. Nuclear testing in French Polynesia was a controversial issue and often led to rioting in the capital on the days that they took place. French Polynesia was granted internal autonomy in 1977, although justice and security were to remain in French hands.

Coinage of French Polynesia
The original currency of what is now French Polynesia was the French franc. However, following the Second World War, France was forced to devalue the franc. As a result, France set up the CFP (Colonies Francaises du Pacifique) franc to replace the French franc in circulation in the Pacific colonies. The CFP France was shared with the New Hebrides (until 1980) and New Caledonia, and the coins of New Caledonia, New Hebrides and French Oceania (later French Polynesia) featured a common obverse.
Coins of 1, 2, 5, 19, 20, 50 and 100f are issued for use in circulation. The centime sub denomination has been rendered defunct due to inflation.

For Sale and Wanted
If you are interested in coins from French Polynesia please see our product index:-
French Polynesian Coins

Gold Coins
We also have gold coins from French Polynesia on our taxfreegold website:-
French Polynesian Gold Coins