Zimbabwe - Travel/Philately/Numismatics/Memorabilia Profile

Zimbabwe, a landlocked country in Southern Africa bordered by South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, and Mozambique has a total land area of 150,871 square miles, a population of over 12.5 million, and a GDP (ppp) of $400. The world’s largest platinum reserves and the Marange diamond fields discovered in 2006 is considered the biggest diamond find in over a century.

Travel Resources: 

It has a tropical climate with a rainy season that runs from November to March and a dry season for the rest of the year. The top attraction is Victoria Falls which is located in the country’s Northwest on the Zambesi river. April and May are the best time to visit Victoria Falls while the best time for game viewing is after April.

Resource	ISBN or ASIN	Best Price	Description
Zimbabwe Bradt Travel Guide	978-1841622958	$19	Part I is a traveler’s introduction with background and practical information spanning the first 150 pages. Part II has chapters on Harare, Central Zimbabwe, Lake Kariba and the Zambezi Valley, Victoria Falls, Hwange, Bulawayo, Southern Zimbabwe, and The Eastern Highlands.
Africa’s Top Wildlife Countries: Botswana, Kenya, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe	978-0939895120	$20	Best guide to plan Safari’s in Africa. It demystified the process by detailing the safari stats of 18 African countries with maps, color photographs, illustrations of wildlife, 11 useful charts, and an accommodating guide with a detailed rating system. The author runs his own tour company.
Zimbabwe Travel Map	978-1553414667	$11	1:1.1M Scale. Inset maps of Bulawayo, and Central Harare.
Universal World Wide Travel Charger Adapter Plug	B001MGUB9Q	$4

Philatelic Profile:
The first stamps of Zimbabwe were a set of sixteen stamps released in 1980 showing local scenes. The set (Scott #414 to #428) catalogs for around $12 MNH and around $14 used. The designs show morganite, amethyst, garnet, citrine, blue topaz, black rhinoceros, lion, warthog, giraffe, zebra, Odzani Falls, Goba Falls, Inyangombe Falls, Bundi Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and Victoria Falls.

Other issues of Zimbabwe enjoying good philatelic interest include:

1. A set of six stamps released on March 17, 1982 showing Rock Paintings. The set (Scott #446 to #451) catalogs for around $10 MNH or used. The designs show Khoisan Figures of Gwamgwadza Cave, Kudus – Human Figures – Epworth Mission, Diana’s Vow at Rusape, Giraffes at Gwamgwadza Cave, Warthog at Mucheka Cave, and Hunters - Shinzwini Shelter.
2. A set of six stamps released in 1989 showing Endangered Species. The set (Scott #594 to #599) catalogs for around $14 MNH or used. The designs show black rhinoceros, cheetah, wild dog, pangolin, brown hyena, and roan antelope.
3. A set of six stamps released on August 10, 1999 showing Tourist Activities. The set (Scott #824 to #829) catalogs for around $5 MNH or used. The designs show canoeing, rock climbing, microlighting, White Water rafting, scenic view, and viewing game. Tourism was a fast growing part of the economy in the 1990s with 1.4 million tourists in 1999. Since then, it has been in steady decline, even though it has many prime tourist spots – Victoria Falls National Park, Hwange National Park,  Nyanga National Park, and sites of ancient ruined cities built in a unique dry stone style from the 15th century.
4. A set of ten stamps released on February 8, 2005 in the Birds theme. The set (Scott #976 to #985) catalogs for around $100 MNH or Used. The designs show black-collared barbet, gray-headed bush shrike, red-headed weaver, golden-breasted bunting, cut-throat finch, Cabanis’s bunting, Miombo double-collared sunbird, crested barbet, Heuglin’s robin, and giant kingfisher.

Numismatic Profile:

The first coin of Zimbabwe was a Republic Decimal Coinage (100 Cents = 1 Dollar) Bronze Cent issued in 1980 showing Bird Statue and Date in Obverse and Denomination and Wreath in Reverse. The issue had high mintage (10M) and trades for well under a dollar in BU.

Numismatic items of Zimbabwe include:

Item	Price Range	Description
Coins	$2 and up	Common UNC Cents starts around $2. Bi-Metal Coins of 2001 in UNC, Certain Inflation Era Coins including un-issued ones, etc start around $10.
Paper Money	$1 and up	Inflation Era Currency in UNC starts around $1. Large Bundles starts around $10. Bundles with rare errors, Replacement Banknotes, etc go well into the 100s depending on rarity.

Collectible Memorabilia:

Zimbabwe’s largest ethnic group is Shona their sculptures are valued highly. Soapstone carvings are also a desirable collectible item. Famous sculptors include Tapfuma Gutsa, Henry Munyaradzi, and Locardia Ndandarika. 

Resource	Price Range	Description
Art	$10 and up	19th century local scenes prints, tribal carved wood candle holders etc start around $10. Shona Stone Art Sculptures, Vintage Ceremony Weaved Baskets, etc start around $30. Original works by Chagondomari, Shama Witty, etc go well into the 100s.
Miscellaneous Collectibles	$3 and up	Flags, Patches, etc start around $3. Original Robert Mugabe Photos start around $15. Vintage Soapstone Carvings, Early 20th century art cards, etc start around $50. Shona Stone Fine Art Pieces go into the 100s.

Last Updated: 12/2015.