Complete specifications of the 2008 Zimbabwe 100 Trillion Dollar

Design of the 2008 Zimbabwe 100 Trillion Dollar

Obverse

The obverse of the Zimbabwe 100 Trillion Dollar features the Chiremba Balanced Rocks in the upper-left quadrant, rendered in shaded brown-to-gold gradients against a yellow-gold background. The Chiremba Balanced Rocks are a granite formation located near Epworth, southeast of Harare, and have featured on Zimbabwean banknotes as a national symbol since the 1980 independence-era currency.

The text “RESERVE BANK OF ZIMBABWE” appears across the top of the note in serifed capital letters. The denomination “ONE HUNDRED TRILLION DOLLARS” is written in full text, with the numerical value “100,000,000,000,000” displayed in large stylized digits. Below the value, the date “2008” appears, along with the signature of Gideon Gono, then Governor of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe.

A serial number in red ink appears in two locations: upper-right and lower-left of the obverse. The two-letter prefix (most commonly AA) is followed by seven digits.

Reverse

The reverse depicts Victoria Falls, the major tourist landmark along the Zambezi River on Zimbabwe’s border with Zambia. The falls are rendered in earthy green and brown tones, with stylized water spray and the mist cloud (locally called Mosi-oa-Tunya, “the smoke that thunders”) visible above the falls. The denomination is repeated in numerical and written form across the reverse.

A repeating microprinted text border surrounds the central image on the reverse, including microprinted “Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe” visible under 10x magnification.

Historical context: how and why the 100 Trillion was issued

By late 2008, Zimbabwe was in the closing phase of one of the worst hyperinflation episodes in modern history. Peak monthly inflation in November 2008 was estimated at 79.6 billion percent, with daily inflation around 98 percent — prices doubling approximately every 24 hours.

The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe had progressively issued higher-denomination banknotes throughout 2008 to keep pace with collapsing purchasing power. The chronology of denomination escalation in the third Zimbabwe Dollar series (ZWR, introduced August 1, 2008) included:

• December 2008: 10 Billion Dollar note
• Early January 2009: 10 Trillion, 20 Trillion, and 50 Trillion Dollar notes
• Mid-January 2009: 100 Trillion Dollar note (Pick P-91)

At the moment of its issuance, the 100 Trillion Dollar note had a market exchange value of approximately 5 U.S. Dollars. By the time most examples had moved from Reserve Bank facilities into commercial banks for distribution, that value had already eroded further. Within weeks, Zimbabwe formally abandoned the Zimbabwe Dollar in favor of a multi-currency system using the U.S. Dollar, South African Rand, and other foreign currencies.

The 100 Trillion was the last high-denomination Zimbabwe Dollar issued before the multi-currency transition. No higher denomination of the third Zimbabwe Dollar was printed or planned for circulation.

The 100 Trillion Dollar note functioned as money for approximately three months. It has functioned as a collector item for over fifteen years.

Serial number prefixes and variants

The Pick P-91 was printed with two-letter alphanumeric serial prefixes followed by seven digits. The most-documented prefix is AA, which accounts for the great majority of surviving examples and is sometimes used as a shorthand for the note itself (“Zimbabwe 100 Trillion AA series”).

Other documented prefixes — notably AB and AC — exist but in smaller quantities. Notes with non-AA prefixes typically command a 10–25 percent premium over equivalent-condition AA examples due to their lower population, though all prefixes are considered genuine and catalog-equivalent.

No officially-documented star replacement notes (notes with an asterisk in the serial number, used to replace damaged notes during printing) are confirmed for Pick P-91, though references to alleged replacement examples appear occasionally in dealer listings. Collectors should treat unverified replacement claims with caution.

Market pricing and population data (mid-2026)

Authentication: how to verify a genuine 2008 Zimbabwe 100 Trillion

Seven specific authentication checks distinguish a genuine Pick P-91 from the high volume of counterfeits in circulation:

1. Dimensions: 156 mm wide by 73 mm tall. Counterfeits commonly measure 155 × 72 mm or 158 × 75 mm.
2. Watermark: Chiremba Balanced Rocks watermark visible under transmitted light, embedded in the paper itself.
3. Security thread: Windowed metallic thread inscribed “RBZ 100T” in repeating microprint, visible under 10x magnification.
4. Intaglio texture: Raised printing detectable by touch on the obverse value numerals, the Chiremba rocks, and the “Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe” text.
5. Serial format: Red ink, two letters plus seven digits, in standard Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe positions.
6. Color scheme: Yellow-gold obverse dominant tone, green and brown earth tones on the reverse. Counterfeits often show color shifts toward pink, pale yellow, or greenish casts.
7. Microprint: Crisp, individually readable microprinted text in border areas under 10x magnification. Counterfeits typically show blurred or continuous-line microprint that fails resolution at high magnification.

For high-confidence authentication, PMG and PCGS Currency graded examples in sealed holders provide built-in authentication insurance. Both services authenticate every submission and return counterfeits ungraded.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the catalog reference for the Zimbabwe 100 Trillion?

The 2008 Zimbabwe 100 Trillion Dollar banknote is catalogued as Pick P-91 in the Standard Catalog of World Paper Money (Krause/Pick). It is the highest denomination in the third Zimbabwe Dollar series (ZWR).

When was the Zimbabwe 100 Trillion Dollar note issued?

The note is dated 2008 but was actually issued in January 2009 during the closing weeks of Zimbabwe’s 2007–2009 hyperinflation.

What are the dimensions of the Zimbabwe 100 Trillion?

156 millimeters wide by 73 millimeters tall.

What color is the Zimbabwe 100 Trillion Dollar?

The obverse is dominantly yellow-gold. The reverse is rendered in green and brown earth tones.

What is depicted on the Zimbabwe 100 Trillion Dollar?

The obverse features the Chiremba Balanced Rocks, a granite formation located southeast of Harare that has been a national symbol on Zimbabwean banknotes since 1980. The reverse depicts Victoria Falls along the Zambezi River.

Who signed the Zimbabwe 100 Trillion Dollar note?

The signature is that of Gideon Gono, who served as Governor of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe from 2003 to 2013, including the entire hyperinflation period.

Is the Zimbabwe 100 Trillion Dollar still legal tender?

No. The Zimbabwe Dollar was formally demonetized on June 30, 2015. The 100 Trillion exists as a collector item only with no face value in commerce.

How much is a Zimbabwe 100 Trillion Dollar worth in 2026?

As of mid-2026, raw uncirculated AA-series examples trade in the $150–$200 range from established U.S. dealers. PMG-graded examples range from $180 at PMG 64 to $350–$425 at PMG 68 EPQ.

What serial number prefixes exist for the Zimbabwe 100 Trillion?

The most common prefix is AA, accounting for the great majority of surviving examples. AB and AC prefixes exist in smaller quantities. Notes with non-AA prefixes typically command a 10–25 percent premium due to lower population.

How can I tell if my Zimbabwe 100 Trillion is genuine?

Seven authentication checks: verify 156 × 73 mm dimensions, inspect the Chiremba Balanced Rocks watermark, examine the windowed security thread for the “RBZ 100T” inscription, feel for raised intaglio printing on the obverse, confirm red-ink serial numbers in standard format, check the yellow-gold dominant color, and examine microprinting under 10x magnification.