Gradually, Then Suddenly
ZIM6, 1997, 10 ZWD

Slot Comment:

1st Dollar Banknote CA Prefix

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Note Details

  

Set Details
Note Description: 10 Dollars 1997 - Wmk: Zimbabwe Bird
Grade: 66 EPQ
Country: Zimbabwe
Note Number: ZIM6
Signatures/
Vignettes: 		- Sign. #3
Certification #: 8055967-008
Owner: Revenant
Set Category: World
Set Name: Gradually, Then Suddenly
Slot Name: ZIM6, 1997, 10 ZWD
Research: See PMG's Census Report for this Note

Owner's Description

In the descriptions for ZIM8, ZIM10, and ZIM12 I tend to emphasize the role of the rising inflation in pushing the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) to release new notes with higher denominations. However, the mid-1990s also saw the introduction of ZIM5, ZIM6 and ZIM7, redesigned $5, $10, $20 notes that replaced ZIM2, ZIM3, and ZIM4. These Introduced new modern security features not seen in the 1980s vintage designs.

The $2 denomination (ZIM1) did not get a redesign with the others. The $2 note was replaced with a coin. The same thing happened to the $5 note in 2001.

The Zimbabwe regular banknotes feature an image of the Chiremba balancing rock formation - three balancing rocks that are in Matobo National Park. The image of the stones was chosen as a metaphor for balancing development and environmental protection following the country’s transition from white-ruled Rhodesia to the majority black ruled Zimbabwe. The Matobo Hills are composed entirely of granite and it makes for some unique and interesting formations.

In addition to the rocks (which are shifted to the side of the note with these designs), the new designs of the 1st dollar from the 1990s and beyond (ZIM5 through ZIM12) have intricately detailed and vividly colored depictions of flowers occupying the center of the note’s front. At least some (maybe all?) of the flowers shown on these notes are supposed to be a flame lily – the national flower of Zimbabwe. The flower grows throughout the country, is known for its beauty and is considered a national treasure. It is a climbing lily that can reach higher using soft tendrils. When she visited in 1947, Queen Elizabeth II was given a flame lily diamond brooch as a gift. The flower is protected but it’s also used in medications for gout, infertility, intestinal worms, kidney problems, arthritis, colic, cholera, and ulcers. However, the flower has also been used to poison dogs, and induce abortions and is thought to have been the cause of many accidental deaths.

The back of the note shows the Chilojo cliffs (previously called the Clarendon Cliffs) in Gonarezhou National Park. The cliffs are composed of coarse, terrestrial Jurassic, Cretaceous sandstones and conglomerates named the Malvernia Beds, which occupy the extreme south-eastern corner of Zimbabwe. They’re the result of erosion caused by the Nyamasikana River, the Runde river and several smaller streams that cut into the Chilojo Plateau.

The cliffs are gorgeous to look at and I’d encourage anyone reading this to do a Google search and look at pictures of them because the artwork on this note doesn’t do them justice. I think this is one of the more underwhelming 1st dollar notes. Not ugly – but not the equal of ZIM1, ZIM2, ZIM3, ZIM4, or ZIM12.

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