5 dollars 1978
About This Note
This is a PMG 67 EPQ graded Rhodesian 5 Dollar note from 1978, featuring exceptional preservation with sharp, clear printing throughout and no visible signs of wear, creasing, or damage. The note showcases elegant wildlife imagery with a giraffe on the front and two lions on the reverse, reflecting Rhodesian natural heritage against decorative brown and tan borders. The superb condition and pristine quality make this an excellent example of late-period Rhodesian currency for collectors of African banknotes.
Common. The 1978 Rhodesian 5 Dollar note (Pick 36b) was produced in substantial quantities as a standard circulating denomination during the final years of Rhodesian currency. While the specific variant and high-grade condition (PMG 67 EPQ) enhances collector appeal, the note itself is not scarce. The short lifespan of Rhodesian currency (replaced in 1980) provides modest numismatic interest, but no evidence suggests restricted print runs or significant rarity in this denomination.
Issued on 20th October 1978 by the Reserve Bank of Rhodesia from Salisbury, this note represents the final period of Rhodesian independence before the country's transition to Zimbabwe in 1980. The wildlife motifs—giraffe and lions—emphasize the nation's natural resources and African identity, while the Latin motto 'Semini Nostra' ('Our Seeds/Our Hope') reflects aspirations during a politically turbulent era. This denomination and year are particularly significant as they mark the Reserve Bank's last regular series before the currency's replacement.
The obverse features a left-aligned engraved portrait of a giraffe in its natural savanna habitat with decorative foliage, centered by an ornamental circular seal of the Reserve Bank of Rhodesia in blue and orange, and the Rhodesian coat of arms on the right side featuring heraldic animals and shield symbolism. The reverse displays a striking central vignette of two lions (male and female) in repose within a natural landscape, with decorative $5 cartouches positioned in all four corners. Both sides employ a unified decorative border scheme in brown and tan with ornamental corner flourishes. The color palette of cream, brown, tan, gray, and white creates an elegant, naturalistic presentation emphasizing Rhodesian wildlife heritage.
FRONT: 'Reserve Bank of Rhodesia' (institutional issuer); '$5' and 'I promise to pay the bearer on demand FIVE DOLLARS FOR THE RESERVE BANK OF RHODESIA' (promise-to-pay clause); 'Governor' (signature authority designation); 'SALISBURY, 20th OCTOBER, 1978' (place and date of issue); 'SEMINI NOSTRA' (Latin: 'Our Seeds' or 'Our Hope'); Serial number 'M/19 157918' (identification). BACK: 'Reserve Bank of Rhodesia' (issuer); '$5' and 'FIVE DOLLARS' (denomination designations).
Intaglio engraving (steel plate engraving) combined with multicolor offset lithography, evidenced by the fine line detail work, sharp definition of the wildlife illustrations, and multiple color separations visible in the ornamental borders and security elements. The note exhibits the characteristic quality of 1970s British Commonwealth currency production, likely produced by a specialized security printer such as De La Rue or Waterlow & Sons, typical for Reserve Bank of Rhodesia commissions.
This specimen carries serial number prefix 'M/19', indicating a specific print batch from 1978. The note is dated 20th October 1978, consistent with the final issuance period before Rhodesia's transition to Zimbabwe. Pick 36b represents the standard design variant for this denomination and year. Collector variations would include different serial prefixes and signatures of various Reserve Bank governors, though such variations are generally common within the series.
