Bank.notes

Collection Zambia #656

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50 Kwacha ZMK

Zambia 1946_1989 XF P-28 AI extracted ✦ AI 92%
Front · IMG_7509.HEIC cropped
Back · IMG_7510.HEIC cropped
Pair check: not yet checked
Identity

Where & when

Country Zambia
Currency ZMK
Denomination 50 Kwacha
Series name
Series year
Issue year
Era 1946_1989
Legal status demonetized
Predecessor currency Zambian Pound
Successor currency Zambian Kwacha (redenominated, ZMW)
Subjects & design

What's on the note

Front portrait Kenneth Kaunda
Reverse subject Victoria Falls
Watermark Fish eagle head in clear field at left
Color palette #9b6b9e,#e8d4b8,#a8c8a0
Themes statesman,wildlife,architecture
Language / script Latin

Front: Victoria Falls (Mosi-oa-Tunya, 'The Smoke that Thunders'), one of the world's largest waterfalls on the Zambezi River at the Zambia-Zimbabwe border. A major natural landmark and UNESCO World Heritage Site, the falls span over 1,700 meters wide and drop up to 108 meters. The note features an African buffalo at left and a statue representing Zambian independence and national unity at right. The inscription 'BANK OF ZAMBIA' appears prominently, with denomination '100 KWACHA' and 'ONE HUNDRED KWACHA' in English.

Back: Kenneth Kaunda (1924-2021), first President of independent Zambia serving from 1964 to 1991, a founding father of the nation and prominent leader in the Pan-African movement and anti-colonial struggle. Portrait at right. At left, an African fish eagle (Haliaeetus vocifer), Zambia's national bird, depicted in its characteristic pose. Center shows the national coat of arms with two figures holding tools flanking a shield, representing workers and national development. The note features denomination 'FIFTY KWACHA' with governor signature and serial number.

Production

How it was made

Issuer Bank of Zambia
Issuer (native)
Printer François-Charles Oberthur Fiduciaire
Engraver
Material paper
Dimensions (mm) 145x72

Signatures: Governor: signature visible but name not clearly legible

Security features: watermark,security_thread,microprint,intaglio

Geography

Zambia in Africa

Zambia in Africa. Other countries on the same continent shown in muted grey.

The story

Background & history

This 50 Kwacha note belongs to the first Kwacha series issued by the Bank of Zambia after the currency was introduced in 1968, replacing the Zambian Pound at par. The series from the mid-to-late 1980s featured Kenneth Kaunda, who led Zambia from independence in 1964 through the period of one-party rule until 1991. This note was printed by François-Charles Oberthur Fiduciaire, a major French security printer. The Kwacha underwent significant devaluation during the 1980s due to economic challenges from falling copper prices and structural adjustment. This denomination was demonetized during the 1991-1992 currency reforms when Zambia transitioned to multi-party democracy. The design emphasizes Zambian national symbols: Victoria Falls (a major tourist attraction and natural wonder shared with Zimbabwe), the fish eagle (national bird), and imagery celebrating independence and development. Pick catalogue reference P-28.

Catalogue

Collector references

Pick # 28
Krause ID
Rarity tier common
Series range 1986-1988
Provenance

How it came to me

Acquired date
Acquired from
Acquired price
Currency
Condition
Grade XF
Serial number 88/G098806
Serial prefix 88/G

Note appears well-centered with good color and detail, minor handling evident

Valuation

What it's worth now

$3–$8
Type default range $2–$8
Valuation history (1)
datelowhighcurrencysourcenote
2026-05-10 07:47:22 3.0 8.0 USD ai from claude-sonnet-4-5
Technical

History & extractions

AI extractions (1)
anthropic · claude-sonnet-4-5 2026-05-10 07:47:22
status: ok · step 1 · $0.0404 · 7369↓ + 1221↑ tokens
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