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1 Shilling Battleship Bismarck
| Issuer | Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe |
|---|---|
| Year | 2017 |
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| Composition | Log in to see details |
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| Thickness | 1.8 mm |
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| Obverse description | The obverse features the colorized coat of arms of Zimbabwe centrally positioned in the field, depicting two sable antelopes as supporters flanking a shield charged with the Zimbabwe Bird above a green and red design. The numeral '1' appears prominently above the coat of arms, with the denomination legend 'SHILLING' arching above along the upper rim. The national motto 'UNITY . FREEDOM . WORK' is inscribed on a scroll at the base of the arms. The issuer legend 'REPUBLIC OF ZIMBABWE' arches along the lower rim, and the date '2017' appears twice in the left and right fields respectively. The entire design is rendered with vivid polychrome color printing over a teal-toned background. |
|---|---|
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| Reverse description | The reverse bears a colorized depiction of the German battleship Bismarck underway at sea, shown in three-quarter profile view with full superstructure and armament visible against a teal ocean background. The legend 'BATTLESHIP BISMARCK' arches along the upper rim in bold lettering. The dates '1939' and '1941', referencing the commissioning and sinking of the vessel respectively, appear in the upper and lower portions of the field. The inscription 'THE BEST WARSHIPS' arches along the lower rim, serving as the series title. The entire reverse design is rendered in polychrome color printing. |
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| Additional information |
Zimbabwe has no historical or sovereign connection to the Bismarck, a German Kriegsmarine battleship sunk by the Royal Navy in May 1941. This piece belongs to a category of collector-targeted legal tender issued by countries with no mint infrastructure of their own — the denomination is nominal, the "shilling" has never circulated in Zimbabwe, and the coin was almost certainly struck by a private mint on contract. The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe has issued dozens of such novelty pieces since the collapse of the Zimbabwean dollar in 2009 rendered domestic monetary policy largely symbolic.