20 Dollars 2009, Zimbabwe
| in Krause book | Number: 95a |
| Years of issue: | 02.02.2009 |
| Edition: | |
| Signatures: | Governor: Dr. G. Gono |
| Serie: | 2009 Serie |
| Specimen of: | 02.02.2009 |
| Material: | Cotton fiber |
| Size (mm): | 148 х 74 |
| 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:
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 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.
On background are stylized grains and livestock (cows, pigs).
Denominations in numerals are repeated 5 times, in words lover.
Revers:
The Hwange Thermal Power Station is the biggest power plant in Zimbabwe with an installed capacity of 920 MW.
It was built in two stages and consists of 4 units of 120 MW each and 2 units of 220MW each. Engineering Consultants "Merz & McLellan", were employed for the design and supervision of the construction of the power station. Construction of Stage 1 commenced in 1973, but was suspended in 1975 due to economic sanctions imposed on Rhodesia. Stage 1's units were commissioned from 1983 to 1986 with Stage 2's units following in 1986-1987.
A reliable source of water lies further north, in the Zambezi River. From there, through a 44 kilometers long pipeline, water for the Boilers and Cooling Towers is drawn by both high and low lift pumps to a storage reservoir located adjacent to the station and conveyed by gravity to the station. About 107000 cubic meters of raw water can be provided per day; while the demineralisation plant has a capacity of 5420 cubic meters per day.
A 3.5 kilometers conveyor belt brings about 1750 tonnes of coal per hour from the nearby Wankie colliery open cast mine, and 250000 tonnes of coal are stockpiled on site. Coal reserves estimated to support 1'200 MW for an estimated 30 years are concealed beneath the vast expanse of the coal mine.
It is owned and driven by the national electricity company "ZESA Holdings (Pvt) LTD."
Technical problems due to neglect of maintenance, part replacement and upgrading make the plant prone to frequent production stops. In 2009, Namibia's "NamPower" made agreements to help "ZESA" to revive the plant’s capacity in exchange for power deliveries. The extensive problems are however continuing and have even led the government to considering a full close-down of the plant. 
On the background are stylized grains and livestock (cows).
Denominations in numerals are repeated 6 times.
Comments:
3 mm. iridescent stripe with repeating RBZ.
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