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First Rhodesian Banknotes

First Rhodesian Banknotes

In 1896, the Salisbury branch of the Standard Bank of South Africa introduced the first Southern Rhodesian banknotes, in denominations of 1 & 5 pounds which were also equal in value to the British Pound. Standard later issued 10 shilling notes. The Bank of Africa, Barclays Bank & the National Bank of South Africa also issued notes until private bank issues ended in 1938 when the Southern Rhodesia Currency Board was established & the country's Reserve Bank took over the issuance of paper money.

Rhodesian 'Tickey' Coins

Rhodesian 'Tickey' Coins

Three examples of the 'Tickey' silver coin in good condition & I have several more. The first from 1952 is a Southern Rhodesian three-pence with King George's head , the second from 1962 is a Rhodesia & Nyasaland three-pence with Queen Elizabeth's head & the third from 1970 is a Rhodesia 2.5 cent coin with three assegais. The Southern Rhodesia & Rhodesia & Nyasaland coins were minted by the Royal Mint in England. The Rhodesia 2.5 cent coin was made by the South African mint due to UK sanctions.

Southern Rhodesia Crown 1953

Southern Rhodesia Crown 1953

In 1953 a crown (5 shilling) coin of .500 fineness (.45 ounce actual silver weight) was minted to commemorate the centennial of the birth of Cecil Rhodes. 124,000 were produced for circulation, plus 1500 minted as Proof coinage.

Coins 1940/50s

Coins 1940/50s

The first southern Rhodesian coins were issued in 1934 with only the nickel and silver coins showing the Bust of the British Monarch, and the half and one penny coins only the title. This currency mirrored the English Pound Sterling system with 12 Pennies to the Shilling and 20 Shillings to the Pound. The last southern Rhodesian coins were issued in 1952, before the Rhodesia & Nyasaland coins & notes began to be issued.

Ten Rhodesian Shillings 1964

Ten Rhodesian Shillings 1964

The Federation of Rhodesia & Nyasaland was formed in 1953, and a new currency was created in 1955 to replace the Southern Rhodesian pound which had been circulating up to then. The Rhodesia and Nyasaland pound replaced the Southern Rhodesian pound and was pegged at par to the British pound. The Federation broke up at the end of 1963. Southern Rhodesia then declared a name change to Rhodesia & issued its own pound but still kept at par with the British pound.

Malawi Coin set - 1964

Malawi Coin set - 1964

A set of mint uncirculated Malawi coins in their original box and issued in 1964. Nyasaland became Malawi on the 6th of July 1964. The Rhodesia and Nyasaland pound replaced by the Malawian pound that same year, This new pound was subdivided into 20 shillings, each of 12 pence. The Malawi Pound was replaced by the Kwacha in 1971

Zambian Coin set 1968

Zambian Coin set 1968

A set of mint uncirculated Zambian coins in their original small green box, with Bank Of Zambia printed on the cover. This set was issued in 1968. Northern Rhodesia officially became Zambia on the 24th of Oct 1964. The Zambian pound and shilling were issued from 1965 until 1968 when they were replaced by the Kwacha note and Ngwee coins.

One Rhodesian Dollar 1976

One Rhodesian Dollar 1976

The Rhodesian dollar was introduced on February 17, 1970, less than a month before the declaration of the Republic of Rhodesia. On March 2, 1970. It replaced the Rhodesian pound at a rate of 2 dollars to 1 pound.

Two Rhodesian Dollars 1977

Two Rhodesian Dollars 1977

A Rhodesian Two Dollar note from 1977, hardly used and in very good condition.

Five Rhodesian Dollars 1976

Five Rhodesian Dollars 1976

A Rhodesian Five Dollar note from 1976. In very fine condition. Ironically this note had far more buying power in 1976 than a One Hundred Trillion Zimbabwe Dollar note had in 2008.

Ten Rhodesian Dollars 1975

Ten Rhodesian Dollars 1975

A Rhodesian Ten Dollar Note from 1975. In very fine condition.

Rhodesian Coins - 1975

Rhodesian Coins - 1975

The first Rhodesian coins were issued in 1964, converting from Pound Sterling (as was used by Rhodesia Nyasaland and Southern Rhodesia before that) to Dollar and Cents. As such, the coins issued in 1964 show the conversion. Full fledged cent coins were issued from 1970 to 1977, with 100 Cents making a Dollar. At the beginning, 1964 to 1966, the coins depicted a bust of Queen Elizabeth II, but in 1970 changed to the Coat of Arms.

Zimbabwe Coin Set 1980

Zimbabwe Coin Set 1980

A set of mint uncirculated first issue Zimbabwe coins in their original small plastic folder which was issued in 1980 to celebrate the country's independence.

One Zimbabwe Dollar 1980

One Zimbabwe Dollar 1980

The 1 dollar coin is a former circulation piece of the Republic of Zimbabwe, issued in two varieties from 1980 to 2003. The first variety was introduced in 1980, shortly after the recognition of Zimbabwe's independence, and later struck again in 1993 and 1997. It was followed in 2001 by a similar piece, which differed only by its composition and measurements. This second coin was minted annually until 2003.

Zimbabwe Coins 1980

Zimbabwe Coins 1980

A 50, 10 and 5 Zimbabwean cent piece issued in 1980. All three are well used. Such cupronickel coins were issued between 1980-1997. After that the coins were made of cheaper nickel plated steel and continued to be issued until 2003

Twenty Trillion ZWD - 2008

Twenty Trillion ZWD - 2008

The Zimbabwean Dollar was established to replace the Rhodesian Dollar and to signify the nation’s independence from the UK in 1980. It was redenominated 3 times until its eventual collapse in 2009 due to hyperinflation caused by unregulated printing of money, the contreversial Land reform program, and government involvement in the Second Congo War under Robert Mugabe.

Fifty Trillion ZWD - 2008

Fifty Trillion ZWD - 2008

During the height of inflation from 2008 - 2009, it was difficult to measure because the Zimbabwe government stopped filing official inflation statistics. However, the peak month of inflation was estimated at 89.7 sextillion percent y/y in mid-November 2008.

Hundred trillion ZWD - 2008

Hundred trillion ZWD - 2008

In April 2009, Zimbabwe stopped printing its currency, with currencies from other countries being used. In mid-2015, Zimbabwe announced plans to switch to the US dollar and inflation dropped to single digits. In June 2019, the government announced the reintroduction of the RTGS dollar, now to be known simply as the "Zimbabwe dollar", and that all foreign currency was no longer legal tender. Within a year hyperinflation returned & was last recorded at 737% in July 2020.

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