Currency

Coins of Zimbabwe

The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe's Currency Media booklet has a detailed history of the coins and banknotes of Zimbabwe.

However, in brief, some of the following events are of interest in the development of coinage in this country. British coins were initially used in Southern Rhodesia (following a Royal Proclamation between 1910-11): Gold (5 pounds, 2 pounds, Sovereign 1 pound, half-sovereign 10 shillings); Silver (half-crown 2s 6d, Florin 2s, Shilling 1s, Sixpence 6d, Fourpence 4d, Threepence 3d, Twopence 2d, Penny 1d). Bronze (Penny 1d, Half-penny 1/2d, Farthing 1/4d).

During the Boer War (1988-1902) supplies of coins, especially silver from the Cape, could not get through with the result that a critical shortage of coin developed. The 1932 Coinage Act of Southern Rhodesia authorized the minting of our first silver coins in denominations of 2s 6d, 2s, 1s, 6d and 3d. (South African coins were dropped as tender in 1933, British coins in 1939). No gold coins were minted. (The only gold coins of 5, 1 and 10 shillings were minted in 1966).

In 1942 the demand for nickel for munitions resulted in a metal shortage for coins and bronze was used instead. Silver percentages were decreased in 1944 and silver coins withdrawn in 1947. 1954 was the only minting of Southern Rhodesia cupro-nickel coins.

The obverse side of the coins first depicted His Majesty King George the Fifth, then King George the Sixth and later Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second. No coins were minted in the short reign of King Edward the Eighth.

When the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland was dissolved in 1963, new and old currency continued to be circulated. Rhodesia's new coins were all minted in 1964 at the South African Mint.

In 1970 decimal currency was introduced to replace the pounds, shillings and pence of old.

A new series of Zimbabwe coins was minted in denominations of $1, 50c, 20c, 10c, 5c and 1c when the country attained Independence. These coins were issued in 1981 with an obverse impression of a Zimbabwe bird Coins are minted according to demand, so they bear the date of the year of their issue. Additional Zimbabwe coins were minted with new dates. The one-cent coin was changed from bronze to copper-plated steel in 1988. It was customary to initial the original coin design with the artist's initials.

Precolonial Trade • Early Coins • Proof Coins • Commemorative Coins • Mint • Coins • Banknotes • Watermarks