Fiji Reserve Bank Governor Barry Whiteside with Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama at the launch of the commemorative currency.

Fiji have taken their adoration for their Olympic gold medal-winning sevens side to another level, creating commemorative $7 notes and 50-cent coins in the team's honour.

The rugby sevens-mad Pacific Island nation made history in claiming gold at last year's Rio Games, the first Olympic medal for the country.

The triumph made the players heroes in their homeland, something no better evidenced than this latest tribute.

Illustration: Fiji Government/ Facebook The two sides of Fiji's commemorative coin minted in honour of their Olympic gold-winning rugby sevens team.

The Fiji Reserve Bank revealed the commemorative notes and coins at a launch with Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama on Thursday night.

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DAVID ROGERS/GETTY IMAGES Fiji coach Ben Ryan and player Ro Dakuwaqa celebrate their gold medal success at the Rio Olympic Games.

Two million copies of the $7 note and one million copies of the coin would be put into circulation, the Fiji Reserve Bank said in a statement.



The two sides of Fiji's new $7 bill. Illustrations: Fiji Government/ Facebook

The mostly blue note features a horizontal picture of the squad posing with their gold medals after the final on one side, while the other side features a vertical action picture of captain Osea Kolinisau with an inset picture of their English coach Ben Ryan.

Fiji's historic win, capped by a 43-7 thrashing of Great Britain in the final, also brought immense adulation for Ryan. Ryan's face appeared on one side of the commemorative coin.

Fiji's new 50c Coin - what a journey I've had. #veilomani pic.twitter.com/EpIrOxYZ0f — Ben Ryan (@benjaminryan) April 20, 2017

Ryan, who stepped down as Fiji coach after the Olympic success, had earlier been given the chiefly name of Ratu Peni Raiyani Laitinara and three acres of land by the people of the Serua province, where he lived during his three years in the country. He is also due to receive the Fiji Order of Merit.