Rhodesian dollar facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Rhodesian dollar
1 dollar note
ISO 4217 Code	RHD
User(s)	Rhodesia
Subunit
1⁄100	cent
Symbol	$
Coins	1⁄2, 1, 2+1⁄2, 5, 10, 20, 25 cents
Banknotes	1, 2, 5, 10 dollars

The Rhodesian dollar (R$ or Rh$) was the money used in Rhodesia from 1970 to 1980. It was divided into 100 smaller units called cents.

A New Kind of Money

The Rhodesian dollar started on February 17, 1970. This was just before Rhodesia became a republic on March 2, 1970. It took the place of the Rhodesian pound. For every 1 Rhodesian pound, you would get 2 Rhodesian dollars.

The dollar was a strong currency. It was worth the same as the pound sterling (British money) until Rhodesia ended in 1980. At that time, the Rhodesian dollar was replaced by the Zimbabwean dollar, with one new dollar for one old dollar.

Why "Dollar" Was Chosen

When Rhodesia decided to change its money system, it followed countries like South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. These countries chose a new money unit that was worth half of their old pound.

The name "dollar" was chosen by John Wrathall, who was in charge of Rhodesia's money matters. He thought "dollar" sounded more international.

Rhodesian Coins

On February 17, 1970, new Rhodesian dollar coins were introduced. These included bronze 1⁄2 cent and 1 cent coins. There were also cupro-nickel 2+1⁄2 cent coins.

Older coins from the Rhodesian pound era were still used for 5, 10, 20, and 25 cents. New 5-cent coins came out in 1973. Then, new 10, 20, and 25-cent coins were made in 1975. These coins were made in Pretoria, South Africa, until 1977.

Rhodesia had both 1⁄2 cent and 2+1⁄2 cent coins, just like South Africa.

• The 1⁄2 cent coin was made from 1970 to 1977. The 1977 1⁄2 cent coin is very rare, with only about 10 known to exist.
• The 2+1⁄2 cent coin (also called a Tickey) was only made in 1970.
• The 5-cent coin was made in 1973 and again from 1975 to 1977.
• The 10 and 25-cent coins were only made in 1975.
• The 20-cent coin was made in 1975 and 1977.

Tommy Sasseen was the person who designed all Rhodesian coins from 1970 to 1977. He designed both sides of the coins.

Rhodesian Banknotes

On February 17, 1970, the Reserve Bank of Rhodesia started printing paper money. They made notes for 1, 2, and 10 dollars. In 1972, 5-dollar notes were added.

Banknotes of the Rhodesian Dollar 1970 - 1978

Pick No. (of example image)	Image		Value	Dimensions	Main colour		Description			Date of
	Front	Back					Front	Back	Watermark	printing	issue	withdrawal
34c			$1	134 × 75 mm		Blue	Zimbabwe Bird	Tobacco field	Cecil John Rhodes	1970 - 1978	17 February 1970
31d			$2	149 × 83 mm		Red	Flame lily	Victoria Falls	Cecil John Rhodes	1970 - 1978	17 February 1970
36b			$5	152 × 86 mm		Brown	Giraffe	Lions	Cecil John Rhodes	1972 - 1978	16 October 1972
37a			$10	158 × 88 mm		Grey	Sable antelope	Great Zimbabwe	Cecil John Rhodes	1970 - 1978	17 February 1970

On January 2, 1979, the Reserve Bank of Rhodesia changed the watermark on the banknotes. Instead of Cecil John Rhodes, they used the Zimbabwe Bird. This happened after the country was renamed Zimbabwe Rhodesia.

Banknotes of the Rhodesian Dollar 1979 - 1980

Pick No.	Image		Value	Dimensions	Main colour		Description			Date of
	Front	Back					Front	Back	Watermark	printing	issue	withdrawal
38			$1	134 × 75 mm		Blue	Zimbabwe Bird	Tobacco field	Zimbabwe Bird	1979 - 1980	2 August 1979
39			$2	149 × 83 mm		Red	Flame lily	Victoria Falls	Zimbabwe Bird	1979 - 1980	24 May 1979
40			$5	152 × 86 mm		Brown	Giraffe	Lions	Zimbabwe Bird	1979 - 1980	15 May 1979
41			$10	158 × 88 mm		Grey	Sable antelope	Great Zimbabwe	Zimbabwe Bird	1979 - 1980	2 January 1979