Gradually, Then Suddenly
ZIM46a, 2006, 10 Thousand ZWN

Slot Comment:

2nd Dollar Emergency Bearer Check AA Prefix - $10,000 No Space in Denomination

View Image Gallery >

Obverse
Enlarge   
 
Reverse
Enlarge   

Note Details

  

Set Details
Note Description: Zimbabwe, Reserve Bank
10,000 Dollars - Wmk: Zimbabwe Bird
Grade: 68 EPQ
Country: Zimbabwe
Note Number: ZIM46a
Signatures/
Vignettes: 		- Without Space in
Denomination
Comment: Exceptional Paper Quality
Certification #: 8091051-009
Owner: Revenant
Set Category: World
Set Name: Gradually, Then Suddenly
Slot Name: ZIM46a, 2006, 10 Thousand ZWN
Research: Currently not available

Owner's Description

The difference between P-46a and P-46b is the spacing and grouping (or lack thereof) of the digits (zeros) in the denomination. P-46a has no space in the denomination and reads as “100000.” P-46b has a space between the “100” and the “000” in “100 000.” The P-46a is the rarer and more desirable variety. The P-46a is the rarer and more desirable variety. This change in the spacing impacts the P-48a/b and the P-46a/b. Interestingly though, even though they were released at the same time, this a/b variation did not hit the P-47, 50000 note - those just have the space in the denomination.

Consistent with this "no space" variety being something done on an initial print run and then changed later, all of the P-46a notes I've seen have had AA prefixes where the P-46b notes I've seen have been AJ, AN or other prefixes usually associated with later print runs.

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.

The back of this note features an image of the Great Zimbabwe ruins. This artwork first appeared on P-8 with the first dollar series. This artwork also appears on P-48 (100,000 ZWN), and P-50 (250,000 ZWN). The artwork is later revived in the 4th dollar series with P-94 (10 ZWL). The ruins also appeared in the 3rd dollar series, but the artwork does not appear to have been the same image or a piece of it.

The “Great Zimbabwe” Ruins are the largest collection of ruins in Sub-Saharan Africa. They were built between the 11th and 15th centuries and are located between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. This set of ruins is the largest set but not the only one. Smaller sites are located as far away as Mozambique. The structures are made of granite. They are a source of great national pride, however, they’ve been extensively plundered over time by treasure-hunters and others and this has complicated efforts to learn about the culture that built them – a culture apparently referred to as “Great Zimbabwe.”

I got this note as a present from my wife for our 6th anniversary in Jan 2022, only about a week after we found out that my Zimbabwean Coin Type Set in the NGC Registry had won one of the 2021 Best Presented Set awards. This note, coming as an anniversary present, continued what my wife started when she got me a Zimbabwean note to surprise me with a collectable for our 3rd anniversary in 2019, which is what got me back into building this collection in earnest.

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