50000000000 ZWD #623

Front

The Zimbabwe Bird, one of eight soapstone bird sculptures discovered at the Great Zimbabwe ruins, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the country's namesake. These sculptures date from the 13th–15th century Shona civilization and have become the national emblem of Zimbabwe, appearing on the flag and coat of arms. The front also depicts Chiremba Balancing Rocks, a distinctive granite rock formation near Harare. This note represents 50 billion Zimbabwe dollars, issued during the peak of hyperinflation in 2008.

Back

White rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) mother and calf, native to southern Africa. Zimbabwe's wildlife has been central to its tourism economy and conservation efforts, with both black and white rhinoceros populations protected in national parks. The wildlife imagery on these hyperinflation-era notes reflected Zimbabwe's natural heritage even as the economy collapsed, with inflation reaching 89.7 sextillion percent month-on-month by November 2008.

History

This 50 billion dollar note belongs to the Fourth Zimbabwe Dollar (ZWD) series issued in 2008 during the worst hyperinflation in modern history. The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe issued progressively higher denominations as the currency collapsed, reaching 100 trillion dollars by January 2009. The Fourth Dollar was introduced on August 1, 2008, by removing 10 zeros from the Third Dollar. By April 2009, the Zimbabwe dollar was abandoned entirely in favor of a multi-currency system dominated by the US dollar and South African rand. These hyperinflation notes are now demonetized and widely collected as historical artifacts of economic catastrophe. The serial number AD 244004634 A indicates this was printed by Fidelity Printers and Refiners, Zimbabwe's domestic security printer.