Catalog
50 000 Dollars Emergency Bearer Cheque
| Issuer | Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe |
|---|---|
| Year | 2006 |
| Type | Standard circulation banknote |
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| Obverse description | At left, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe logo is printed above the denomination figures, with a vignette of the Flame Lily, the national flower of Zimbabwe, set against a guilloche underprint. The face bears the full bearer cheque text including the issuing authority, payment obligation, and validity date of 31st December 2006, with an issue date of 1st February 2006. |
|---|---|
| Obverse lettering | $50000 RESERVE BANK OF ZIMBABWE $50000 BEARER CHEQUE Pay the bearer on demand FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS on or before 31st December 2006 for the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Issued date: 1st February 2006 |
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| Comments |
Zimbabwe's 2006 bearer cheques were a stopgap instrument issued as the central bank struggled to keep physical currency in circulation during accelerating hyperinflation. The bearer cheque mechanism — technically a fixed-term negotiable instrument rather than a banknote — allowed the Reserve Bank to print high denominations while sidestepping certain legal constraints on note issuance. By the time this 50,000 dollar cheque was in circulation, it bought progressively less each week.
The print run of just over 12 million is relatively modest given the inflationary demand of the period, suggesting this denomination was quickly overtaken by larger emergency issues before it could saturate the market.