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Rhodesian Currency Rhodesia, prior to the Unilateral
Declaration of Independence (UDI) of 11th November 1965, was a member of
the Sterling zone and used the Pound Sterling as a national currency.
The notes although being especially designed for Rhodesia, were printed
and supplied from the UK. A few examples of these banknotes can be seen
below. After the UDI, the British government
expelled Rhodesia from the Sterling zone and the supply of banknotes
dried up. This very soon had an effect in Rhodesia, the shortage of new
notes and the condition of those in circulation began to become a
pressing concern. In a breathtaking display of the
pioneering and independent spirit of the Rhodesian character, the
Rhodesian Central Bank announced it had printed a completely new series
of banknotes, which can be seen below. The new currency was to be the
Rhodesian Dollar, the quality of the printing was superb and more
important still, the Rhodesian Dollar was to be a strong currency, at
parity with the British Pound, and even worth more later. Despite the unconstitutional imposition
of UN sanctions, the growth and expansion of the Rhodesian economy
ensured that the new currency retained its value, right up to the very
end of Rhodesia in 1980. The currency became stronger than the British
Pound, which was to be proved weak and was heavily devalued during the
1960's and 1970's. |
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Pre 1963 Sterling banknote issues |
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Southern Rhodesia, One pound note of 1932, front view, Standard Bank - click thumbnail for larger image |
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Southern Rhodesia, One pound note of 1932, rear view, Standard Bank - click thumbnail for larger image |
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Southern Rhodesia, Ten Shilling note of 1936, front view, Barclays Bank - click thumbnail for larger image |
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Southern Rhodesia, Ten Shilling note of 1936, rear view, Barclays Bank - click thumbnail for larger image |
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Southern Rhodesia, One pound note of 1937, front view, Barclays Bank - click thumbnail for larger image |
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Southern Rhodesia, One pound note of 1937, rear view, Barclays Bank - click thumbnail for larger image |
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Southern Rhodesia, Ten Shilling note of 1939, front view - click thumbnail for larger image |
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Southern Rhodesia, Ten Shilling note of 1939, rear view - click thumbnail for larger image |
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Southern Rhodesia, One Pound note of 1948, front view - click thumbnail for larger image |
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Southern Rhodesia, One pound note of 1948, rear view - click thumbnail for larger image |
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Southern Rhodesia, One Pound note of 1954, front view - click thumbnail for larger image |
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Southern Rhodesia, One pound note of 1954, rear view - click thumbnail for larger image |
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Rhodesia and Nyasaland, Ten Shilling note of 1961, Federation era, front and rear view - click thumbnail for larger image |
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Rhodesia and Nyasaland, One Pound note of 1961, Federation era, front view - click thumbnail for larger image |
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Rhodesia and Nyasaland, One Pound note of 1961, Federation era, rear view - click thumbnail for larger image |
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Rhodesia and Nyasaland, Five Pound note of 1961, Federation era, front view - click thumbnail for larger image |
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Rhodesia and Nyasaland, Ten Pound note of 1959, Federation era, front view - click thumbnail for larger image |
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Post 1963 Sterling banknote issues |
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Ten Shilling note front view - click thumbnail for larger image |
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Ten Shilling note rear view - click thumbnail for larger image |
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One Pound note front view - click thumbnail for larger image |
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One Pound note rear view - click thumbnail for larger image |
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Five Pound note front view - click thumbnail for larger image |
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Five Pound note rear view - click thumbnail for larger image |
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Post 1965 Dollar
banknote issues |
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One Dollar note front view - click thumbnail for larger image |
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One Dollar note rear view - click thumbnail for larger image |
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Two Dollar note front view - click thumbnail for larger image |
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Two Dollar note rear view - click thumbnail for larger image |
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Five Dollar note front view - click thumbnail for larger image |
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Five Dollar note rear view - click thumbnail for larger image |
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Ten Dollar note front view - click thumbnail for larger image |
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Ten Dollar note rear view - click thumbnail for larger image |
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Rhodesian coins of
1975 front view - click thumbnail for larger
image
Image courtesy of Romain Schwertz von Sausheim |
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Rhodesian coins of
1975 rear view - click thumbnail for larger
image
Image courtesy of Romain Schwertz von Sausheim |
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For an outside link to a comprehensive guide of the worlds banknotes, containing hundreds of full colour scans, please click here |