5 Shillings 1964, Fiji
| in Krause book | Number: 51d |
| Years of issue: | 01.09.1964 |
| Edition: | 800 000 |
| Signatures: | Commissioners of currency: Mr. H.P. Ritchie , Mr. Griffith, Mr. Cruickshank |
| Serie: | HM The Queen Elizabeth II |
| Specimen of: | 01.06.1957 |
| Material: | Cotton fiber |
| Size (mm): | 160 х 68 |
| Printer: | Bradbury, Wilkinson & Company Limited, New Malden |
* All pictures marked 
are increased partially by magnifying glass, the remaining open in full size by clicking on the image.
** The word "Specimen" is present only on some of electronic pictures, in accordance with banknote images publication rules of appropriate banks.
Description
Watermark:
Native Fijian.
Avers:
HM The Queen Elizabeth II.
The first official photographic sitting with the new Queen was granted to the society photographer Dorothy Wilding. It took place on 26 February 1952, just twenty days after the accession. A total of fifty-nine photographs were taken by Wilding, showing The Queen dressed in a variety of gowns designed by Norman Hartnell and wearing jewellery including the Diamond Diadem. The photographs taken during this sitting were the basis of The Queen’s image on postage stamps from 1953 until 1971, as well as providing the official portrait of The Queen which was sent to every British embassy throughout the world. (Royal collection trust)
The Queen is wearing the George IV State Diadem. Made by Rundell, Bridge & Rundell (and likely designed by their designer, Philip Liebart) in 1820, the diadem features a set of 4 crosses pattée alternating with 4 bouquets of roses, thistles, and shamrocks. The motifs are set on a band of diamond scrollwork between two bands of pearls. Queen Alexandra had the diadem made smaller in 1902, reducing the top band of pearls from 86 to 81, and the bottom band from 94 to 88. The front cross is set with a 4 carat yellow diamond, and the piece features 1,333 diamonds in all. (Sartorial Splendor)
The necklace worn by The Queen, of diamond flowers and leaves, was a wedding present from Nizam of Hyderabad and Berar. The necklace was originally crafted in 1930s by Cartier. It was a wedding gift to Queen Elizabeth II, who was still a princess, on her wedding to Prince Philip from the Last Nizam of Hyderabad, Mir Osman Ali Khan in 1947. The Nizam of Hyderabad asked the Queen to choose two pieces from Cartier to mark her wedding, and she chose a tiara and a matching necklace based on an English rose.
The necklace was made by Cartier with 38 diamonds, with a diamond-encrusted snap. It has a detachable double-drop pendant, made of 13 emerald-cut diamonds and a pear-shaped drop, forms the pave-set center of the necklace. The design was based on English roses. 
Pair of pearl drop earrings, made circa 1947.
The pearls used to create these earrings were a wedding present to Princess Elizabeth in 1947 from the Sheikh of Bahrain. The diamonds used in the earrings use a variety of modern cuts. (A Royal Wedding 1947)
This variety of the portrait is distinguished by the heavy shading on Her Majesty's right cheek and the tilt of the head. (Peter Symes)
On the top is coat of arms.
Was granted by Royal Letters Patent on 4 July 1908. It was featured on the colonial ensign and its shield remains on the current flag of Fiji.
The colours and objects on the coat of arms carry cultural, political, and regional meanings. The Cross of St. George-which divides the shield quarterly-and the golden lion at the top represent the United Kingdom, the former colonial power that ruled over Fiji. The cacao pod held in the lion's paw, along with the sugarcane, coconut palm and bananas occupying three of the four quadrants, represent the country's natural resources, since these are key agricultural crops in Fiji. The bottom left quadrant contains a dove that symbolizes peace - this was utilized on the country's flag during the reign of King Cakobau, whose government was the last before the commencement of British rule.
The crest at the top depicts a takia - a traditional Fijian canoe - while the supporters grasping the shield on both sides are Fijian warriors. According to legend, they are twins - the older brother is clutching a spear, while the younger one holds a war club. At the bottom is the country's motto - Fear God and honour the Queen (Rerevaka na kalou ka doka na Tui).
Denominations in numerals are centered and in all corners, also centered in words.
Revers:
Stylized pattern. Centered an inscription: "GOVERNMENT OF FIJI".
Denominations in numerals are in all corners, in words centered.
Comments:
Interesting Facts About Fiji:
1)English is Fiji's official language (although Fijian is also spoken) and the literacy rate among adults is almost 94 percent.
2)Fiji's 333 islands (about 110 of them inhabited) are home to approximately 883,000 people, three quarters of whom live on the main island of Viti Levu.
3)About 57 percent of Fiji's population is native Melanesian or Melanesia/Polynesian mix, while 37 percent is descended from indentured Indians brought to the islands in the late 19th century by the British to work the sugar cane plantations.
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