5 Dollars 1998, Zimbabwe
| in Krause book | Number: 5b |
| Years of issue: | 1998 |
| Edition: | |
| Signatures: | Governor: Mr. Leonard Tsumba |
| Serie: | Leonard Tsumba Issue |
| Specimen of: | 1997 |
| Material: | Cotton fiber |
| Size (mm): | 140 х 68 |
| Printer: | Fidelity Printers and Refinery, Msasa Industrial area, Harare |
* All pictures marked 
are increased partially by magnifying glass, the remaining open in full size by clicking on the image.
** The word "Specimen" is present only on some of electronic pictures, in accordance with banknote images publication rules of appropriate banks.
Description
Watermark:
The Zimbabwe Bird. It is the national emblem of Zimbabwe, appearing on the national flags and coats of arms of both Zimbabwe and Rhodesia, as well as on banknotes and coins (first on Rhodesian pound and then Rhodesian dollar). It probably represents the Bateleur eagle or the African Fish Eagle.
In lower right corner is a profile of the stone-carved Zimbabwe Bird. It is the national emblem of Zimbabwe, appearing on the national flags and coats of arms of both Zimbabwe and Rhodesia, as well as on banknotes and coins (first on Rhodesian pound and then Rhodesian dollar). It probably represents the Bateleur eagle or the African Fish Eagle.
The original carved birds are from the ruined city of Great Zimbabwe, which was built by ancestors of the Shona, starting in the 11th century and continuing for over 300 years. The ruins, after which modern Zimbabwe was named, cover some 1,800 acres (7.3 km²) and are the largest ancient stone construction in Zimbabwe. Among its notable elements are the soapstone bird sculptures, about 16 inches tall and standing on columns more than a yard tall, were installed on walls and monoliths of the ancient city of Great Zimbabwe. They are believed to have been a sign of the royal presence.
After the ruins of Great Zimbabwe were discovered by European colonists in the late nineteenth century, they took five of the carved birds to the Cape Colony and sold them to its leader Cecil Rhodes. A German missionary came to own the pedestal of one bird, which he sold to the Ethnological Museum in Berlin in 1907. At the independence of Zimbabwe in 1981, the South African government returned four of the statues to the country; the fifth is held at Groote Schuur, Rhodes' former home in Cape Town. In 2003, the German museum returned the portion of bird's pedestal to Zimbabwe.
Avers:
Balancing rocks are geomorphic features of igneous rocks in many parts of Zimbabwe. Formations are a natural occurrence in a perfectly balanced state without the support of other means. Their popularity increased when the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe depicted them on banknotes.
The Chiremba Balancing Rocks, in Epworth Township, have been used as a metaphorical theme to explain the importance of development combined with preserving Zimbabwe's fragile environment, both in Epworth and elsewhere.
Epworth is one of the largest cities in Zimbabwe, located in the center-northeastern part of the country. It stretches beyond the southeastern outskirts of the city of Harare, and is considered a "hostel" for the main city of the country. Epworth has a fairly high population density, and the city is crossed by important highways and railways that lead to Mozambique - to the coast of the Indian Ocean. Harare International Airport is located southwest of Epworth.
Epworth was founded in the 90s of the XIX century by the missionaries of the Methodist Church. A group of missionaries came to this area of Africa to bring the Word of God to the natives, and the influence of the Methodist community remained very strong even after a hundred years. Now the suburb of the capital is surrounded by numerous suburbs - small villages and agricultural land.
In lower right corner are two Greater Kudu (Tragelaphus Strepsiceros) anthelopes.
One of the tallest and longest-horned antelopes, the greater kudu can weigh up to 600 pounds with horns up to 6 feet in length. The greater kudu is found throughout eastern and southern Africa, in mixed woodlands, bushlands, hills and mountains. It feeds on leaves, flowers and fruits and can live up to 8 years in the wild. The greater kudu is characterized by its narrow body, long legs, large ears and brown coat with white vertical torso stripes. Both the greater kudu and the lesser kudu have distinctive stripes and spots covering their bodies, and males have fringe under their chins and impressive spiral horns.
Centered is an inscription: Harare 1997 (capital of Zimbabwe, former Rhodesia). The name of the city was changed to Harare on April 18, 1982.
The Pioneer Column, a military volunteer force of settlers organized by Cecil Rhodes, founded the city on 12 September 1890 as a fort. They originally named the city Fort Salisbury after the 3rd Marquess of Salisbury, then British prime minister, and it subsequently became known simply as Salisbury. The Salisbury Polo Club was formed in 1896. It was declared to be a municipality in 1897 and it became a city in 1935.
Also, in center, presumably, is Zimbabwe Creeper (Podranea brycei) flower.
Zimbabwe Creeper is a charming climber, native to South Africa. It has cascading bunches of flowers, each a large, single bloom. The plant has long, thin stems that grow up to 15 feet, with shapely pinnate leaves, quite like Wisteria. Bunches of pale pink flowers, with thin lined throats, hang at the ends of the stems. Throats are hairy. The plant grows rapidly, easily scaling walls or a framework, a mass of green leaves highlighted by the big flowers. It can be pruned into a shrub by cutting back hard every year. A sunny position is preferred although too much heat is not suitable for the plant. The cooler months of the year are ideal for Zimbabwe Creeper to flourish. Too much water and mulchy soil have a detrimental effect on flowering. Propagate from spring-sown seed or cuttings. This creeper has some resemblance to Bower Vine. (florabotanicalname.blogspot.de)
Denominations in numerals are in all corners, centered in words.
Revers:
In lower left corner are, again, two Greater Kudu anthelopes.
Centered is the Mount Nyangani (formerly Mount Inyangani). It is the highest mountain in Zimbabwe, at 2,592 m. (8,504 ft.). The mountain is located within Nyanga National Park in Nyanga District, is about 275 km. (171 mi.) north west Mutare. The summit lies atop a small outcrop of rock around 40m above the surrounding area. The remainder of the peak is a broad moor of mainly rolling hills and plateau with an area of about 8 km2. The edges of this plateau then fall steeply to the east and west sides. The mountain vegetation is largely composed of heath around the summit plateau with evergreen forest along the wetter eastern slopes and grassland to the western side. Annual rainfall totals are high (around 2200 mm) but long spells of dry weather occur during the winter period of May to August. Due to its relatively low altitude and tropical location, snow falls very rarely, last recorded in August 1935.
Denominations in numerals are in all corners.
Comments:
Solid security thread with demetalized RBZ5.
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