2 Dollars 2011, Solomon Islands
| in Krause book | Number: 25 |
| Years of issue: | 2011 |
| Edition: | |
| Signatures: | Governor: Mr. Denton Hehenoro Rarawa, Secretary Finance: Mr. Shadrach Fanega |
| Serie: | 2006 Issue |
| Specimen of: | 2004 |
| Material: | Cotton fiber |
| Size (mm): | 139 x 70 |
| Printer: | TDLR (Thomas de la Rue & Company), London |
* 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:
An abbreviation "CBSI" (Central Bank Solomon Islands).
The Sanford's sea eagle.
The Sanford's sea eagle (Haliaeetus sanfordi), sometimes listed as Sanford's fish eagle or Solomon eagle, is a sea eagle endemic to the Solomon Islands. The "sea eagle" name is to be preferred, to distinguish the species of Haliaeetus from the closely related Ichthyophaga true fish eagles. The species was described in 1935 by Ernst Mayr who noticed that earlier observers had overlooked it, thinking it was a juvenile of the white-bellied sea eagle.
The Sanford's sea eagle was discovered by and named after Dr Leonard C. Sanford, a trustee for the American Museum of Natural History. The first description was by Ernst Mayr in 1935. It can reach a length between 70-90 cm. (28-35 in.) and a weight between 1.1-2.7 kg. (2.4-6.0 lb.). The wingspan is between 165-185 cm. (5.41-6.07 ft.). It is the only large predator on the Solomon Islands. The eagles inhabits coastal forests and lakes up to an altitude of about 1500 m. asl.
The plumage is whitish brown to bright brown on the head and the neck. The underparts are brown to reddish brown and dark brown. The upperparts are darkish brown to gray-black. The eyes are bright brown. Uniquely among sea eagles, this species has an entirely dark tail throughout its life.
The breeding season is from August to October. The nest consists of two eggs.
The diet consists of mainly of tideline carrion, fish, molluscs, crabs, tortoises, and sea snakes, and more rarely birds and megabats snatched from the rainforest canopy. It has also been reported to feed opportunistically on the northern common cuscus. 
Avers:
Solomon Islands Coat of Arms .
The magnificent Coat of Arms was a further development of symbols used during the Protectorate days, which are still displayed on the Crest. The official description from the British College of Arms uses archaic English but is here recorded in modern English. At the summit of the Coat-of-Arms is a sun in splendour, which rests on a Solomon Islands war canoe, which in turn rests on a 'wreath azure and argent' (i.e., silver/white and blue, respectively). Below this is a helmet and mantling, again argent and blue with a gules (red) visor opening to the helmet. The central Crest consists of two diagonal bands of vert (green) each of which contains a double-headed arrow forming an 'x' shape which is split by a Melanesian dancing shield fronting a bow and arrows. The background of (gold/yellow) is split in four by the above mentioned bands and contains in the left and right segments a turtle. Above this is a deep band of azure containing a Sanford Eagle resting on a branch, which has a frigate bird on each side of it. The left hand support (dexter side) is a crocodile and on the opposing side, the right hand support (sinister side) is a shark. Below this is a double-headed frigate bird of traditional artistic design of the Solomon Islands which rests on the motto 'To Lead Is to Serve' on a banner scroll of gold/yellow, with gules shadow. (Solomon Islands Historical Encyclopaedia 1893-1978)
On the left side is the flag of Solomon Islands.
The national flag of Solomon Islands was adopted officially on 18 November 1977 by John Hazeldine from New Zealand.
The five main island groups are represented by the five stars. The blue is supposed to represent the surrounding ocean, while the green represents the land. The yellow stripe is symbolic of the sunshine.
The civil ensign (for merchant ships) and state ensign (for non-military government vessels) are red and blue flags, respectively, with the national flag in the canton.
The naval ensign (for police vessels) is based on the British white ensign, a red cross on a white field, also with the national flag in the canton.
In top corners are the pictures of stylized birds.
Lower centered are the stylized fish.
Behind them is Apira (Ceremonial Food Bowl). Size: 29.5 x 5.5 x 11 cm.
This ornate ceremonial food bowl was used for offerings and displayed during other traditional occasions and celebrations. Skilled craftsmen carved the soft wood Alstoiaa Scholaris that was then darkened by a mixture of charcoal and natural plant sap and inlaid with nautilus shell. Traditional motifs appearing on the apiras may include those of fish, birds, other animal and human figures. (http://www.aboriginalpacificart.com.au)
Alstonia scholaris (Apocynaceae, commonly called Blackboard tree, Indian devil tree, Ditabark, Milkwood pine, White cheesewood and Pulai is an evergreen, tropical tree native to the Indian subcontinent and Indomalaya, Malesia and Australasia.
On the right side are bokolo.
The bokolo is a form of money which natives of Solomon Islands used to pay for bride price, buy land, tribal reconciliation and compensation.
Bokolo is made of clam shell and normally, collectors from overseas are the main people to buy this artifact because of its uniqueness.
Denominations in numerals are in top and lower right corners, in words centered.
Revers:
Solomon Islands fishermen with a fishing net and spears. Symbolizing the fishing as one of the major local trade.
On the left side are, again, bokolo.
Denominations in numerals are in top and lower left corners, in words and in numeral in lower right corner.
Comments:
If you find my work useful I will be grateful for any help in supporting the site.
-
PayPal
-
For users of European Union banking system