CFP Franc
The CFP franc represents a rare monetary bridge across the South Pacific, where distant archipelagos are united by a single, vibrant currency.
Quick Facts
Country: French Pacific Territories
Code: XPF
Symbol: ₣
System: Decimal (1 Franc = 100 Centimes)
Status: In circulation
Issuer: Institut d'émission d'outre-mer (IEOM)
The Story of the CFP Franc
The CFP Franc was introduced in 1945 to protect France’s Pacific territories from post-war devaluation of the French franc, establishing a separate and stable monetary system under the authority of the Institut d'émission d'outre-mer (IEOM), a specialized institution operating alongside the Banque de France. Originally created as the “Colonies Françaises du Pacifique” franc, it provided financial continuity across French Polynesia, New Caledonia and Wallis & Futuna despite vast geographic separation. Its fixed parity—first to the French franc and later to the euro—has remained a defining feature, ensuring long-term monetary stability and making it one of the most structurally consistent currencies in the world.
Design & Symbolism
CFP franc banknotes are distinguished by a unique dual-identity design, where each note effectively presents two cultural worlds: one side dedicated to French Polynesia, the other to New Caledonia. This creates a “two-in-one” visual narrative rarely seen in global currency. The imagery is highly specific and regionally grounded—tiare flowers, outrigger canoes, coral reefs and Polynesian motifs contrast with New Caledonian elements such as the flèche faîtière (totemic rooftop sculpture), traditional architecture and Melanesian symbolism. Following the 2014 redesign, the series shifted from large-format notes to a modern “small-size series,” introducing more compact dimensions, sharper compositions and intensely saturated color palettes that evoke lagoon blues, volcanic greens and tropical light. The result is a visually immersive currency combining French technical precision with Pacific cultural expression.
For collectors
For collectors, the CFP Franc offers a uniquely structured collecting field that blends geographic diversity with institutional unity. Each banknote can be read as a dialogue between territories, allowing collectors to identify regional elements within a single design. Earlier large-format issues are valued for their scale and classical composition, while the post-2014 small-size series is prized for its vivid coloration and modern execution. The combination of dual-sided identity, limited circulation across remote islands and consistent euro linkage makes the CFP franc one of the most distinctive and visually compelling currencies in world numismatics.
The CFP franc remains in circulation as a euro-pegged currency used across French Polynesia, New Caledonia and Wallis & Futuna.