New Hebrides, a group of islands that would become the independent country of Vanuatu in 1980, was under British and French administration in 1921 when its first paper money item, in French and valued at 25 francs, was issued. Aside from this rather rare item, the first New Hebrides banknotes were issued in the early 1940s, as an emergency World War II note and then as bills from the Bank of Indochina.
The notes of Indochina intended for use in the New Hebrides were overprinted with some variation of “NOUVELLES HEBRIDES”. Many of these are larger than other notes, and contain artwork that extends far to the edges — more like lovely picture postcards than banknotes with intricate designs.
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Subsequent paper money from the New Hebrides was standard French Overseas notes with the “NOUVELLES HEBRIDES” overprints. In 1982, the newly-named Vanuatu issued its own banknotes as an independent nation.
Check out the New Hebrides banknotes for sale listings here. The selection is updated daily.
