Zimbabwean Banknotes

The Zimbabwe one hundred trillion dollar note is probably the most famous banknote in the world among people who do not collect banknotes. It was issued in January 2009 and, three months later, the country abandoned its own currency.

How it came to this

Zimbabwe's inflation reached an estimated peak of 89.7 sextillion percent per month. The Reserve Bank kept adding zeros and, when they no longer fit, removing them: there were three redenominations in three years, the last one dropping twelve zeros at once. A single real value ended up being written in five different ways.

Why people buy it

Because of what it teaches. A one hundred trillion note is worthless as money, which is why it is worth something as an object: it is physical proof of what happens when a central bank loses control. It is given as a gift, framed, and taken to class.

What you will find here

Zimbabwean dollars from the different hyperinflation series, with Pick references and actual grading. Along with Hungary and Venezuela, they complete the three textbook hyperinflations.

Authenticity

Official issues from the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, never reproductions—of which many are in circulation for this note. Protected and tracked shipping from Spain.

Discover more banknotes from the region in African Banknotes.