Zimbabwe – a country, national parks and gold coins with a distinctive profile

ByDirk Wasserthal
Zimbabwean gold coin “Mosi-oa-Tunya” depicting Victoria Falls and the reverse side with the national coat of arms, year 2022 and the inscription 1 oz Fine Gold.

Zimbabwe – a country, national parks and gold coins with a distinctive profile

Zimbabwe, officially the Republic of Zimbabwe , is located in southern Africa and borders South Africa, Botswana, Zambia and Mozambique. The country is known for spectacular landscapes, large national parks, significant mineral resources and a turbulent monetary and economic history.

In recent years, gold coins from Zimbabwe , especially the Mosi-oa-Tunya issue, have become particularly popular with collectors and investors.

Facts and figures about Zimbabwe

  • Region: Southern Africa

  • Capital city: Harare (largest city and economic center)

  • Area: approximately 390,000 km²

  • Population: approximately 15 million inhabitants

  • Official languages: among others English, Shona, Ndebele and a number of other languages

  • Religion: predominantly Christianity, supplemented by traditional African belief systems

Zimbabwe has rich mineral resources such as gold, silver, platinum, chromium, diamonds, coal, lithium and other industrial minerals. These raw materials play a central role in the country’s economic structure.

Currency and inflation – background for modern gold coins

Zimbabwe’s monetary history is closely linked to hyperinflation .

  • The Zimbabwean dollar lost massive value in the 2000s.

  • As a result, various foreign currencies (e.g., US dollar, South African rand) were used in parallel.

  • Against this background , gold coins were introduced as a store of value to give the population a way to secure their savings in the long term.

It is precisely in this context that the gold coin “Mosi-oa-Tunya” stands, which underlines the role of gold as a reliable reserve of value.

Nature, wildlife and national parks in Zimbabwe

Large parts of Zimbabwe are characterized by savannah landscapes and dry forests. Biodiversity is high, especially in the national parks and protected areas.

Important examples:

  • Hwange National Park – one of the country’s most famous parks with tens of thousands of elephants, big cats, buffalo and over 400 bird species.

  • Gonarezhou National Park – part of the cross-border Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park with diverse wildlife and impressive landscapes.

  • Matobo National Park – known for its striking rock formations, rhino sanctuaries and cultural sites.

  • Mana Pools, Matusadona and Nyanga – other outstanding areas for safaris, trekking and nature observation.

The sable antelope is considered the national animal of Zimbabwe and is representative of the country’s expressive African fauna.

Culinary delights, education and coffee

The national dish Sadza (maize porridge, often with side dishes such as peanut sauces, vegetables or meat) is a staple of everyday cuisine.

Zimbabwe traditionally has a comparatively high literacy rate , which has long distinguished the country in comparison to other African countries.

Also of particular interest is the Zimbabwean Arabica coffee from regions such as Manicaland and Mashonaland, which is considered rather exotic and rare today due to low exports.

Victoria Falls and Lake Kariba – iconic waterscapes

Victoria Falls (Mosi-oa-Tunya – “The Smoke that Thunders”) on the Zambezi River is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most impressive waterfalls in the world. Parts of the area lie within Victoria Falls National Park and Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park on the Zambian side.

Lake Kariba is one of the largest reservoirs in the world and lies on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. It is not only relevant in terms of energy and economic policy, but also an important area for fishing, tourism and wildlife observation.

Gold coins from Zimbabwe – a collector’s item with a special context

Gold coins from Zimbabwe combine macroeconomic reality , monetary history and classic precious metal investment. They are not only numismatic objects, but also a reflection of the country’s economic situation and efforts to stabilize the country.

Reasons for the growing interest in Zimbabwean gold coins:

  • limited editions

  • strong connection to monetary history

  • official status as a product of the central bank

  • Combination of investment and collector’s item character

The gold coin “Mosi-oa-Tunya” – 1 oz gold 2022

A prime example is the 1 oz gold coin “Mosi-oa-Tunya” (2022) , named after the local name for Victoria Falls.

Key data of the coin:

  • Country: Zimbabwe

  • Issuer: Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ)

  • Year: 2022

  • Material: Gold

  • Fineness: 917/1000 (22 carats)

  • Weight: 1 ounce of pure gold

  • Edition: 3,500 copies

This coin was specifically introduced by the central bank to provide the population with a gold-backed store of value .

Special Features:

  • Each coin is individually numbered (edge inscription).

  • Security features such as guilloche patterns, holographic elements and variable QR codes

  • Issued together with a certificate of ownership printed on security paper with watermark

This means that the Mosi-oa-Tunya is one of the gold coins that, both technically and conceptually, clearly lie at the intersection of investment, value preservation and modern numismatics .

Collector and investor perspective

For collectors
Zimbabwean gold coins document an extraordinary period in monetary and economic history. They connect:

  • political and economic background

  • modern security features

  • a striking motif with high recognition value

For investors
Gold is considered worldwide to be a proven crisis and reserve currency. A coin like the Mosi-oa-Tunya offers:

  • physical precious metal with a clearly defined fineness

  • limited edition

  • official issue of a central bank

This makes these coins an interesting addition for investors who, in addition to classic bullion products, also want to consider specialized, historically embedded products .

Consulting and trading in Zimbabwean gold coins

If you are interested in buying or selling gold coins from Zimbabwe , or would like to have an existing collection professionally appraised, we would be happy to assist you with:

  • numismatic classification

  • Assessment of rarity and market situation

  • Comparison with other African gold coins, such as the Big Five

You might also be interested in:
Big Five Gold Coins of the SA Mint

Gold coins from Zimbabwe are extremely rare on the international market and only available in exceptional cases. If you are interested in a Zimbabwean gold coin, we would be pleased to receive a brief message . Thanks to our direct contacts in the numismatic trade in Africa, we have already been able to offer special Zimbabwean issues in our shop on several occasions and would be happy to check what options are currently available for you.

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