$200.00
Issuer: Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe
Denomination & Year: Z$100,000,000,000,000 (“One Hundred Trillion Dollars”)
Reference: 2008 Zim100T with PMG certification
The Zimbabwe 100 Trillion Dollar Note, issued in 2008 by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, holds the distinction of being the highest face value ever printed on a banknote in world history. It stands as a powerful reminder of one of the most dramatic episodes of hyperinflation the world has ever witnessed.
By late 2008, the Zimbabwean economy had entered a period of runaway inflation so extreme that prices were doubling in a matter of days. In response, the government printed increasingly larger denominations — culminating in this 100 trillion dollar note, which had virtually no purchasing power at the time of its release. Today, the note endures as both a cautionary economic symbol and a highly sought-after collector’s artifact.
Obverse (Front):
Depicts the Chiremba Balancing Rocks of Epworth, near Harare — a long-standing symbol of stability featured on Zimbabwe’s banknotes since independence. It includes the Governor’s signature, the denomination “ONE HUNDRED TRILLION DOLLARS,” and the year “2008.”
Reverse (Back):
Shows Victoria Falls (Mosi-oa-Tunya) and a Cape buffalo, representing the nation’s natural beauty and wildlife heritage.
Color Scheme: Predominantly blue-green with intricate geometric background patterns.
Size: Approximately 148 × 74 mm.
Printed by: Fidelity Printers & Refiners, Harare.
Governor: Dr. Gideon Gono.
Security Features: Watermark of a Zimbabwe bird, color-shifting ink, metallic strip, and microtext lines designed to deter counterfeiting.
By the time the note was issued, Zimbabwe’s inflation rate had reached astronomical levels, exceeding hundreds of millions of percent annually. Basic items such as bread or bus fare required stacks of notes, and the currency was being replaced almost as soon as it was printed.
The 100 Trillion Dollar Note was the peak of the final “Fourth Dollar” series before the national currency was completely abandoned in favor of foreign currencies in 2009. Despite its enormous nominal value, it was worth less than one US dollar at the time of circulation.
Today, it represents one of the most vivid demonstrations of the fragility of fiat money — a real-world artifact from a moment when confidence in paper currency entirely collapsed.
The note’s appeal lies not in its monetary value but in its historic symbolism. It captures the essence of economic collapse, yet also serves as a reminder of Zimbabwe’s resilience and eventual monetary reform.
For collectors, it is a global icon of hyperinflation and a conversation piece that bridges economics, history, and design. Variations in condition (circulated vs uncirculated), prefix codes (such as AA-series), and professional grading (PMG or PCGS) contribute to its collectible value.
Beyond its monetary context, the 100 Trillion Dollar note is admired for its refined engraving, consistent national motifs, and the balance between artistic precision and chaotic historical backdrop. The combination of the Balancing Rocks and Victoria Falls imagery reflects Zimbabwe’s enduring natural strength amid economic turbulence.
