‘It means gold to me’: Why Fiji rugby fans are clutching a rare $7 banknote during the Tokyo Olympics

Some have it tucked away in their wallets. Many believe it’s a goodluck charm. Others have even created shrines to the object.

The world’s only $7 banknote was released by Fiji four years ago to commemorate the rugby-loving nation’s first Olympic medal, when its men’s rugby sevens team won gold at the Rio de Janeiro Games. 

Ahead of the Flying Fijians’ second Olympics appearance in Tokyo, and as the Pacific nation battles a raging COVID-19 outbreak, owners have been showing off the money with the hope the team can make history again.

Saula Sovanivalu is the proud owner of five $7 banknotes, and fondly remembers watching his home country’s historic victory in 2016.

He believes the notes bring good luck, and said his wallet has never been empty since he started collecting them.

“The first note I received was from a taxi driver, he gave me the change of $7,” he said.

“I asked if it was a real note or a fake, and he said ‘It’s real,’ and I kept it as a souvenir.”

He received his fifth note this week from his daughter.

Mr Sovanivalu said the win at the 2016 Games has come to symbolise so much for the country, and seeing Fiji do well in Tokyo would once again be a source of inspiration.

“It would bring a lot of hope, a lot of positive moods for people to continue the fight against COVID-19 and to be vaccinated so we can return to normal,” he said.

Fiji produced 2 million copies of the commemorative banknote, which can be used as legal tender in Fiji.

On one side it features the winning team with gold medals around their necks, and on the other side is former captain Osea Kolinisau and head coach at the time Ben Ryan.

Ryan, an English rugby union coach who also has his face stamped on a commemorative 50 cent piece, said it was “mind blowing” to be celebrated in such a way.

Like many Fijians, the former Flying Fijians head coach also holds on to the note and coin for good luck, and said they would be with him as he watches the team compete in Tokyo.

“It’ll be in my pocket during the sevens tournament — wishing the team the very best and give it all they’ve got.”

Rare note cherished around the world

An uncirculated $7 banknote can be bought for about $20–$75 online — but for many of its collectors, the shiny rectangles of blue plastic are priceless. 

Isireli Vulaca, another proud owner of the $7 note, said the 2016 gold-medal win brought hope to Fiji after the devastation of Tropical Cyclone Winston.

He’s also hoping for a good performance in Japan.

Tom Courtright was volunteering with the Peace Corps in Sabeto, Fiji when the national team won gold in Rio.

He is currently in Kenya, and carries the note in his wallet to represent the love he feels for the Pacific country wherever he goes.

“There’s many ways to feel at home in places, but the ways in which I feel home in Fiji I’ve never felt that anywhere else,” he said.

“Rugby is something that is global, and Fiji is the best in the world — so, that’s why I carry it around.”

Now living in Sydney, Keryn Clark grew up in Fiji, and has made a “shrine” for her note.

When the note was released, her mother grabbed a whole lot of them for the family.

“I keep it on my fireplace sitting in a little tanoa [kava bowl] under a beautiful painting of the Suva markets,” she said.

Lepani Temo, in New Zealand, also keeps his $7 note in his wallet, but has plans to frame it and hang it on the wall.

“It means gold to me,” he said.

“As soon as I saw it, I thought to myself, this is going to be something that will be cherished through the generations.

The Fijian men’s rugby sevens team go to Tokyo after an unbeaten run at last month’s Oceania 7’s competition in Townsville — an impressive feat considering they hadn’t played a game in over a year due to the pandemic.

Many fans think the team has what it takes to go all the way in Japan.

“I think Fiji will be coming back with a second gold medal for rugby — I’m expecting another issue of $7 notes for the second gold medal,” Mr Sovanivalu said.

The ABC has asked the Fijian government if they had plans to release another commemorative note following the Flying Fijians’ Tokyo performance.

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