On Thursday, June 18, 2026, the Central Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI), celebrating its 50 years of existence and service to the island nation, issued a new $50 commemorative banknote. The banknote was officially launched at the Heritage Park Hotel Conference Room in the presence of distinguished guests, financial sector leaders, and the CBSI Board of Directors. Prime Minister Honourable Mathew Cooper Wale and Minister for Finance and Treasury Honourable Gordon Darcy Lilo headlined the event.

This commemorative note honors CBSI's story. From traditional forms of exchange to today's modern financial system, it reflects how far Solomon Islands has come as a nation and where it is heading next.

The new banknote maintains the familiar size, green color palette, and core artistic patterns of the existing circulating $50 paper note, but introduces new features, advanced polymer technology and updated security elements:

 

- It is printed on a durable polymer substrate (Safeguard® by DLR).

 

- A striking new transparent window features the head of an eagle and the text "CBSI 50" positioned above the official CBSI Bokolo logo.

 

- A round, gold patch containing the text "1976 CBSI 2026" is located to the left of the coat of arms.

 

- The reverse of the note features the Central Bank building and visually illustrates the historical evolution of currency in the Solomon Islands—tracing the timeline from traditional shell money to modern digital payments. The text "COMMEMORATING CBSI GOLDEN JUBILEE 1976 - 2026" is located below the Central Bank building.

 

- Tactile dots help visually impaired users identify the denomination.

 

The new commemorative banknote, issued in a quantity of one million notes, will circulate alongside with the $50 paper banknote currently in circulation. Both banknotes were printed by DLR.

 

 

Donald Ludwig, June 18, 2026