On August 1, 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 January 31, 2009, instead of December 31, 2008, the expiration date printed on the bearer cheques.




1 dollar
Violet. Front: Chiremba balancing rocks. Back: Falls; water buffalo. Windowed security thread. Watermark: Zimbabwe bird with electrotype 1. 2007. Signature Gideon Gono. Introduced 01.08.2008.

5 dollars
Brown. Front: Chiremba balancing rocks. Back: Dam; elephant. Windowed security thread. Watermark: Zimbabwe bird with electrotype 5. 2007. Signature Gideon Gono. Introduced 01.08.2008.

10 dollars
Green. Front: Chiremba balancing rocks. Back: Farmer plowing field on mechanical tractor; three grain silos. Windowed security thread. Watermark: Zimbabwe bird with electrotype 10. 2007. Signature Gideon Gono. Introduced 01.08.2008.


20 dollars
Red. Front: Chiremba balancing rocks. Back: Tailings pile; miner with jackhammer. Windowed security thread. Watermark: Zimbabwe bird with electrotype 20. 2007. Signature Gideon Gono. Introduced 01.08.2008

100 dollars
Blue. Front: Chiremba balancing rocks. Back: Palm trees; Great Zimbabwe ruins. Windowed security thread. Watermark: Zimbabwe bird with electrotype 100. 2007. Signature Gideon Gono. Introduced 01.08.2008.

500 dollars
Purple. Front: Chiremba balancing rocks. Back: Milking dairy cows; cattle. Windowed security thread. Watermark: Zimbabwe bird with electrotype 500. 150 x 75 mm. 2007. Signature Gideon Gono. Introduced 01.08.2008.

1,000 dollars
Gold. Front: Chiremba balancing rocks. Back: Buildings. Windowed security thread. Watermark: Zimbabwe bird with electrotype 1000. 153 x 76 mm. 2007. Signature Gideon Gono. Introduced 17.09.2008.
According to a ZNCNews story dated September 8, 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.

Courtesy of Nick Brice and Garry Craig.

Tags: Zimbabwe