The Vanuatu vatu (VUV) is a fascinating currency because it doesn’t have any subunits, making it unique compared to most other currencies worldwide. Introduced in 1981, two years after Vanuatu gained independence from Anglo-French condominium rule, the vatu replaced the New Hebrides franc at par. Interestingly, one of the motivations for creating the vatu was to establish a sense of national identity and unity among the archipelago’s islands, each with its own diverse cultures and languages.

Another intriguing fact about the Vanuatu vatu is its lack of coins in circulation initially, which only became widespread in the 1980s and 1990s. The name “vatu” itself is derived from a Polynesian word meaning “stone,” and highlights the importance of traditional systems of exchange and value still prevalent in Vanuatu’s cultural history. Additionally, Vanuatu has sometimes issued commemorative coins made of ni-Vanuatu themed designs, which are a collector’s delight and celebrate the rich fauna, flora, and traditions of this beautiful Pacific island nation.