Zimbabwe new note family (B156a – B162a) confirmed

On 1 August 2008, in an effort to simplify calculations in economic transactions, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe revalued its currency, striking ten zeros from the old Zimbabwe dollar. The move came just a week after the introduction of a 100 billion-dollar special agro-cheque—not enough to buy a loaf of bread—which became worth ten dollars under the new system. Concurrent with the revaluation, a new series of banknotes was also issued, and old coins were also reintroduced after years of obsolescence. The new notes will circulate with the older bearer cheques and special agro-cheques, which will remain legal tender until 31 January 2009, instead of 31 December 2008, the expiration date printed on the bearer cheques.

According to a ZNCNews story dated 8 September 2008, shortly after the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe recently allowed selected merchants to quote prices in foreign currency for an 18-month experiment, Zimbabwe’s attorney general’s office warned retailers that they could be prosecuted for demanding payments in foreign currency. The office explained that the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Act clearly states that the banknotes issued by the central bank are legal tender for any payment within Zimbabwe.

B156 (P65): 1 dollar (demonetized 30.09.2015)

Violet. Front: English text; Chiremba balancing rocks in Epworth. Back: English text; Victoria Falls; Cape buffalo. Windowed security thread with demetalized RBZ 1. Watermark: Zimbabwe bird Type C and electrotype 1. Printer: (Giesecke & Devrient). 134 x 68 mm. Paper.

a. 2007. Sig. 5: Gono. Intro: 01.08.2008.

B157 (P66): 5 dollars (demonetized 30.09.2015)

Brown. Front: English text; Chiremba balancing rocks in Epworth. Back: English text; Kariba Dam on Zambezi River; elephant. Windowed security thread with demetalized RBZ 5. Watermark: Zimbabwe bird Type C and electrotype 5. Printer: (Giesecke & Devrient). 138 x 68 mm. Paper.

a. 2007. Sig. 5: Gono. Intro: 01.08.2008.

B158 (P67): 10 dollars (demonetized 30.09.2015)

Green. Front: English text; Chiremba balancing rocks in Epworth. Back: English text; farmer plowing field on mechanical tractor; three grain silos. Windowed security thread with demetalized RBZ 10. Watermark: Zimbabwe bird Type C and electrotype 10. Printer: (Giesecke & Devrient). 142 x 70 mm. Paper.

a. 2007. Sig. 5: Gono. Intro: 01.08.2008.

B159 (P68): 20 dollars (demonetized 30.09.2015)

Red. Front: English text; Chiremba balancing rocks in Epworth. Back: English text; tailings pile; miner with jackhammer. Windowed security thread with demetalized RBZ 20. Watermark: Zimbabwe bird Type C and electrotype 20. Printer: (Giesecke & Devrient). 145 x 72 mm. Paper.

a. 2007. Sig. 5: Gono. Intro: 01.08.2008.

B160 (P69): 100 dollars (demonetized 30.09.2015)

Blue. Front: English text; Chiremba balancing rocks in Epworth. Back: English text; Aloe excelsa trees; Great Zimbabwe ruins. Windowed security thread with demetalized RBZ 100 and balancing rocks hologram. Watermark: Zimbabwe bird Type C and electrotype 100. Printer: (Giesecke & Devrient). 149 x 74 mm. Paper.

a. 2007. Sig. 5: Gono. Intro: 01.08.2008.

B161 (P70): 500 dollars (demonetized 30.09.2015)

Purple. Front: English text; Chiremba balancing rocks in Epworth. Back: English text; workers milking cows; cattle. Windowed security thread with demetalized RBZ 500 and balancing rocks hologram. Watermark: Zimbabwe bird Type C and electrotype 500. Printer: (Giesecke & Devrient). 150 x 75 mm. Paper.

a. 2007. Sig. 5: Gono. Intro: 01.08.2008.

B162 (P71): 1,000 dollars (demonetized 30.09.2015)

Gold. Front: English text; Chiremba balancing rocks in Epworth. Back: English text; Cathedral of St. Mary & All Saints and Parliament House in Harare; RBZ headquarters building in Harare. Windowed security thread with demetalized RBZ 1000 and balancing rocks hologram. Watermark: Zimbabwe bird Type C and electrotype 1000. Printer: (Fidelity Printers). 153 x 76 mm. Paper.

a. 2007. Sig. 5: Gono. Intro: 17.09.2008

Courtesy of Nick Brice and Garry Craig.

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