Zimbabwe Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe 10,000 Dollars ND (2003) Pick 17 PMG Gem Uncirculated 65 EPQ

Zimbabwe Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe 10,000 Dollars ND (2003) Pick 17 PMG Gem Uncirculated 65 EPQ

Offered here is a beautifully preserved 10,000 Dollar banknote issued by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, cataloged as Pick 17, and graded PMG Gem Uncirculated 65 EPQ. Dated ND (2003), this note marks the early stages of Zimbabwe's now-infamous hyperinflation era — a moment in modern economic history when denominations began rapidly increasing and confidence in the national currency sharply deteriorated.

Historical Significance:

Issued in 2003, this 10,000 Dollar note was among the first high-denomination emergency issues rolled out in response to intensifying inflation that had begun in the late 1990s. It represents a critical turning point in Zimbabwe's monetary collapse, preceding the billion and trillion-dollar notes that would follow within just a few years.

As the economy spiraled and prices rose almost hourly, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe was forced to issue increasingly larger denominations to keep up with daily transactional needs. The 10,000 Dollar note was a significant leap at the time and remains a key piece in tracing the escalation of the crisis.

Design and Features:

• Obverse: Features the iconic Chiremba Balancing Rocks of Epworth — a recurring image across Zimbabwe’s banknotes symbolizing stability, ironically at odds with the nation's economic conditions.

• Reverse: Depicts a grain elevator, signifying agriculture, a once-vibrant sector that collapsed during the land redistribution policies of the early 2000s.

• Color scheme: Pale green with underprints of orange and light brown.

• Security features include a solid security thread and a watermark of the Zimbabwe Bird, a national emblem drawn from ancient stone carvings at Great Zimbabwe.

Grade and Authenticity:

This note has been professionally graded by PMG as Gem Uncirculated 65 EPQ (Exceptional Paper Quality). This high grade signifies a note that is well-centered, crisply printed, and entirely free of handling, folds, or flaws — with full original paper wave and deep color saturation.

Catalog Number: Pick 17
Date: ND (2003)
Issuer: Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe

Collector’s Value:

For collectors of hyperinflation currency, early Zimbabwean issues like this 10,000 Dollar note hold tremendous historical value. Finding one in PMG 65 EPQ condition is particularly rare, as these notes were often heavily used in everyday transactions. This piece bridges the gap between the pre-hyperinflation economy and the economic freefall to come — a must-have for collectors documenting the stages of Zimbabwe’s monetary collapse or seeking high-grade examples of key transitional denominations.