5 kwacha 1976
Market Prices
5 salesAbout This Note
This is an uncirculated 1976 Zambian 5 Kwacha note (Pick 21) issued by the Bank of Zambia and printed by Thomas de la Rue, London. The note features a striking reddish-brown and multicolor design with a portrait of President Kenneth Kaunda on the obverse and an industrial building with figures engaged in labor on the reverse, reflecting Zambia's post-independence development narrative. In UNC condition with sharp detail, fine line work, and no signs of circulation, this note represents a well-preserved example of early post-colonial Zambian currency design.
Common. The eBay price tracking data shows this note regularly selling in the $10-60 range depending on condition and competition, with UNC examples catalogued at $35 (2019 value). This represents typical market pricing for post-colonial African currency of this period. No evidence of restricted print run, recall, or short-lived issue exists. This is a standard circulation issue from a major African nation's central bank.
This 1976 note was issued just 12 years after Zambia's independence from British rule in 1964, during the early years of President Kenneth Kaunda's presidency. The reverse design depicting an industrial building and workers reflects the nation's focus on economic development and nation-building in the post-colonial period. The prominent placement of Kaunda's portrait on the obverse underscores the personality-focused currency design common in newly independent African nations establishing their monetary sovereignty.
The obverse features a three-quarter portrait of President Kenneth Kaunda positioned on the right side of the note, smiling and rendered in fine engraving detail. The upper center displays the Zambian national coat of arms (eagle emblem) flanked by winged decorative elements, with the Bank of Zambia name and denomination prominently displayed. The reverse depicts a multi-story industrial or governmental building with chimneys on the left, paired with figures of an adult and child engaged in what appears to be a craft or labor activity on the right, symbolizing national development and workforce participation. The entire note employs intricate guilloche patterns, geometric designs in corners, and fine cross-hatching throughout, with circular seals in the bottom corners. The color scheme is predominantly reddish-brown and maroon with cream and light green background elements.
Front: 'BANK OF ZAMBIA' (issuing authority), 'K5' and 'FIVE KWACHA' (denomination), 'I PROMISE TO PAY THE BEARER ON DEMAND FOR THE BANK OF ZAMBIA' (standard currency promise), 'GOVERNOR' (signature line designation), 'THOMAS DE LA RUE & COMPANY, LIMITED' (printer attribution), Serial number 'F 148330'. Back: 'BANK OF ZAMBIA' (issuing authority), 'K5' and 'FIVE KWACHA' (denomination). All inscriptions are in English.
Intaglio (engraved) printing by Thomas de la Rue & Company, Limited, London, the premier British security printer. The fine line work, complex guilloche patterns, detailed cross-hatching, and high-quality portrait engraving are characteristic of traditional intaglio security printing used for currency production during this period.
This specimen is identified as Pick-21a per PMG population data, indicating it is the standard variety with Thomas de la Rue as printer. The serial number observed is F 148330, suggesting this is from the F series prefix group. No overprints, color variations, or signature varieties are evident from the visual analysis. Only one main variant is catalogued for Pick 21.
