# Kiribati dollar

> currency

**Wikidata**: [Q1049963](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1049963)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiribati_dollar)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kiribati-dollar

## Summary
The Kiribati dollar is the official currency of the island nation of Kiribati, introduced on July 12, 1979, to replace the Australian dollar as the local unit of account. While it is a distinct national currency, it maintains a fixed exchange rate of 1:1 with the Australian dollar and is not issued by a central bank within Kiribati itself. Instead, the Reserve Bank of Australia acts as the issuer and manages the currency's circulation and value.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: The currency was officially established on July 12, 1979.
- **Issuing Authority**: The Reserve Bank of Australia serves as the central bank and issuer.
- **Exchange Rate**: It operates under a fixed exchange rate of 1 Kiribati dollar to 1 Australian dollar.
- **Value Conversion**: As of 2018, the conversion rate to the international United States dollar was approximately 0.9523809523809524 USD per 1 Kiribati dollar.
- **Symbol**: The currency uses the dollar sign ($) as its unit symbol.
- **Classification**: It is classified as a currency, a dollar, and a decimal currency.
- **Jurisdiction**: The currency applies exclusively to the jurisdiction of Kiribati.
- **Language Coverage**: The Wikipedia article for this entity exists in 31 languages, including Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Russian, and Spanish.
- **Wikidata ID**: The entity is identified by the Freebase ID `/m/09tpbh` (referenced from Q15241312, published October 28, 2013).
- **Visual Representation**: An image of Kiribati coins is available via Wikimedia Commons.
- **Aliases**: Known variously as "Dolar de Kiribati," "Dollar de Kiribati," "Kiribati dollar," "キリバスの通貨," "Кирибатийский доллар," "доллар," and "키리바시달러."
- **Interlingual Index**: Assigned the ID `i108583`.
- **Sitelink Count**: The entity has 31 language sitelinks on Wikipedia.
- **Description**: Defined simply as "currency" in Wikidata.

## FAQs
**How is the value of the Kiribati dollar determined?**
The currency does not float independently; it is pegged at a fixed 1:1 exchange rate to the Australian dollar. This stability is maintained because the Reserve Bank of Australia acts as the issuer and manages the monetary policy for the region.

**Who is responsible for printing and issuing Kiribati dollars?**
Unlike most nations that have their own central banks, Kiribati relies on the Reserve Bank of Australia to issue and manage its currency. This arrangement means the physical notes and coins are part of the broader Australian monetary system.

**What is the historical origin of this currency?**
The Kiribati dollar was introduced on July 12, 1979, coinciding with the nation's independence. It replaced the Australian dollar as the official unit of account, although the Australian dollar remains legal tender and the pegged standard.

**In which languages can I find information about the Kiribati dollar?**
Detailed information is available in 31 different languages on Wikipedia, ranging from major global languages like English, Spanish, and French to regional languages such as Swahili (implied by list context), Arabic, and various Asian and European tongues.

**Is the Kiribati dollar a decimal currency?**
Yes, the Kiribati dollar is classified specifically as a decimal currency, meaning it is divided into 100 subunits (cents) rather than using a non-decimal system.

## Why It Matters
The Kiribati dollar represents a unique economic model where a sovereign nation adopts a currency system managed entirely by a foreign central bank. This arrangement provides the small island nation with immediate monetary stability by pegging its economy to the robust Australian dollar, eliminating the risks associated with volatile independent currency fluctuations. For the people of Kiribati, this system simplifies trade and financial planning by ensuring that the local unit of account holds a predictable value relative to a major regional economy. Furthermore, the existence of a distinct national name for the currency, despite the shared peg, preserves a degree of national identity and sovereignty in the financial sector. The currency's structure highlights the practical realities of small island economies that prioritize stability over independent monetary policy, serving as a case study in post-colonial economic integration.

## Notable For
- **Unique Issuance Model**: It is one of the few currencies where the issuing authority (Reserve Bank of Australia) is located entirely outside the jurisdiction it serves.
- **Fixed Peg Stability**: It maintains a rigid 1:1 parity with the Australian dollar, ensuring zero exchange rate risk between the two.
- **Decimal Classification**: It is explicitly categorized as a decimal currency, adhering to the modern standard of 100 subunits.
- **Multilingual Presence**: The entity is documented across 31 distinct Wikipedia language editions, reflecting its recognition in diverse linguistic communities.
- **Historical Independence Link**: Its introduction date of July 12, 1979, marks a specific milestone in Kiribati's transition to independence.
- **Distinct National Identity**: Despite sharing value and issuer with Australia, it retains a unique name and specific legal status as the "Kiribati dollar."
- **Specific Conversion Data**: It has a documented conversion rate to the US dollar (approx. 0.952) as of 2018, providing a concrete metric for international valuation.

## Body

### Core Definition and Classification
The Kiribati dollar is defined as the official currency of the Republic of Kiribati. Structurally, it falls under the broader class of "currency" and is specifically categorized as a "dollar" and a "decimal currency." The entity is described in Wikidata simply as "currency," emphasizing its primary function as a medium of exchange. It operates within the specific jurisdiction of Kiribati, serving as the legal tender for the nation. The currency is distinct from the general concept of money by its specific national application and its fixed relationship to the Australian dollar.

### Issuance and Monetary Policy
A defining characteristic of the Kiribati dollar is its issuance mechanism. The Reserve Bank of Australia is explicitly identified as the central bank and issuer of the currency. This relationship is documented with references to the Wikipedia article history (oldid 902062379). Because the Reserve Bank of Australia manages the currency, Kiribati does not have an independent central bank or the ability to conduct its own monetary policy. The currency's value is not determined by market forces but is instead maintained through a fixed exchange rate mechanism.

### Exchange Rates and Valuation
The currency operates on a strict fixed exchange rate system. It is pegged at a value of 1 Kiribati dollar to 1 Australian dollar. This parity ensures that the purchasing power of the Kiribati dollar remains identical to that of the Australian dollar. Historical data provides a specific conversion point: as of 2018, the conversion to the international United States dollar was calculated at 0.9523809523809524 USD. This specific decimal precision highlights the exact mathematical relationship maintained between the currencies at that time. The currency symbol is the dollar sign ($), and the symbol description is noted as "dollar sign."

### Historical Context and Launch
The Kiribati dollar was officially introduced on July 12, 1979. This date marks the beginning of its circulation as the national currency. The introduction coincided with the nation's independence, serving as a symbol of sovereignty while maintaining economic ties to Australia. Prior to this date, the Australian dollar was the primary currency used in the region. The transition established the Kiribati dollar as the specific unit of account for the new nation, even though the underlying value remained tied to the Australian standard.

### Digital and Linguistic Presence
The entity has a significant presence in digital knowledge bases. It is assigned the Freebase ID `/m/09tpbh`, with a reference to the publication date of October 28, 2013. The Wikipedia article for the Kiribati dollar is available in 31 languages. These languages include Arabic (`ar`), Arabic (Egyptian) (`arz`), Azerbaijani (`az`), Czech (`cs`), German (`de`), Greek (`el`), English (`en`), Esperanto (`eo`), Spanish (`es`), Persian (`fa`), Finnish (`fi`), French (`fr`), Galician (`gl`), Hindi (`hi`), Croatian (`hr`), Armenian (`hy`), Indonesian (`id`), Italian (`it`), Japanese (`ja`), Korean (`ko`), Lithuanian (`lt`), Polish (`pl`), Portuguese (`pt`), Romanian (`ro`), Russian (`ru`), Tagalog (`tl`), Ukrainian (`uk`), Uzbek (`uz`), Yoruba (`yo`), Chinese (`zh`), and Chinese (Min Nan) (`zh_min_nan`). The interlingual index ID for the entity is `i108583`.

### Visual and Physical Attributes
Visual documentation of the currency exists in the form of images, specifically a file titled "Kiribati Coins.JPG" hosted on Wikimedia Commons. This image serves as the primary visual representation of the physical coins used in the economy. The currency is also associated with the "dollar" unit symbol ($). The aliases for the currency reflect its multilingual nature, including "Dolar de Kiribati" (Spanish), "Dollar de Kiribati" (French), "キリバスの通貨" (Japanese), "Кирибатийский доллар" (Russian), and "키리바시달러" (Korean).

### Related Entities and Jurisdiction
The currency is strictly tied to the jurisdiction of Kiribati. It is an instance of the broader class "currency" and is related to the concept of "dollar" and "decimal currency." The entity is distinct from other currencies by its specific issuer and fixed peg. The Wikipedia title for the entity is "Kiribati dollar," and it has a sitelink count of 31, indicating the number of language versions where the article exists. The entity is also linked to the concept of "currency" in the interlingual index.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013