Gradually, Then Suddenly
ZIM60, 2008, 500 Million ZWN

Slot Comment:

2nd Dollar Emergency Bearer Check AC Prefix - $500,000,000

View Image Gallery >

Obverse
Enlarge   
 
Reverse
Enlarge   

Note Details

 

Set Details

Note Description: 500 Million Dollars 2008 - Wmk: Zimbabwe Bird
Grade: 67 EPQ
Country: Zimbabwe
Note Number: ZIM60
Signatures/
Vignettes:
- Sign. #8
Certification #: 8046944-053
Owner: Revenant
Set Category: World
Set Name: Gradually, Then Suddenly
Slot Name: ZIM60, 2008, 500 Million ZWN
Research: See PMG's Census Report for this Note

Owner's Description

The 500 Million Dollar Bearer Checks were the largest and last issue of the 2nd dollar Bearer check series. After this note the government / Reserve Bank issued a short series of four Special Agro Checks and that would prove to be the last of the 2nd dollar. The Special Agro Checks were not supposed to replace the Bearer checks – they were meant to be used only by famers – however, the Agro Checks ended up in general circulation and no more Bearer Checks were issued, even as food prices continued to rise exponentially. Because of this, and because there was no overlap or duplication of denominations between the two sets of checks, the Special Agro Checks became a defacto continuation of the “2nd Dollar series” and a replacement for / successor to this Bearer Checks series.

Where the balancing rocks are a major design feature on the front of the banknotes, with the checks of this series they appear only as part of the seal of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe.

On the back, the bearer checks of this series feature different designs, emphasizing things of national or cultural significance, much like the first dollar banknotes that came before them. In that regard, these bearer checks are a bit of a cross between the bearer checks and the banknotes of the first dollars in terms of design.

This note features the same artwork of the tiger fish and the Kariba dam that appears on the ZIM1, 2 dollar, 1st dollar banknote. That artwork also appears on the 500 dollar (ZIM43) and 10 million dollar bearer checks (ZIM55). This artwork also reappears in the 4th dollar series on the 5 dollar notes (ZIM93).

To follow or send a message to this user,
please log in