Maize Bucket

When cash failed, rural households traded livestock for maize.

Back of Maize Bucket: the Zimbabwe hyperinflation barter tradition, how a note would work, and the traits of Noun #76 — Back · the tradition

Security Edition v2

The same note set like a banknote: full engraved portrait of Noun #76, guilloche, watermark, thread, foil stripe and microtext, all printed art. What's on it

Security Edition front of Maize Bucket: a line-engraved portrait of the full actual Noun #76 in a guilloche oval beside a watermark window, thread and holographic-look stripe — Security Edition · front

Security Edition back of Maize Bucket: a color medallion of Noun #76 in a guilloche rosette, with the note's story — Security Edition · back

v2 front SVG ↓ v2 back SVG ↓

The tradition · 2007–2009

Zimbabwe hyperinflation barter

During Zimbabwe's 2007–2009 hyperinflation, rural households in Matabeleland bartered goats, chickens and cattle for buckets of maize as cash lost its value, IRIN reported.

Source: Zimbabwe: Farm animals bartered to stave off hunger (IRIN / The New Humanitarian) ↗

How a note would work

In a lean season, Buckets are earned by bringing grain or animal care to a community storehouse and spent on staples or help. They are never bought or cashed out.

Design concept inspired by this tradition, not issued by or for the people who keep it. Not legal tender, not for sale, no cash value, no redemption and no investment rights.

Front SVG ↓ Back SVG ↓ Machine edition

PlaceLupane, Matabeleland, Zimbabwe
Era2007–2009
RegionAfrica & the Middle East
UnitBucket · Buckets
Face value5 Buckets
SerialGB-G011-N0076
NounActual Noun #76 ↗
Why this NounChosen for the chicken on its chest, which stands for the hens that, with goats and cattle, became households' store of value.
Headsponge
Glassessquare yellow orange multi
Bodyteal
Accessorychicken
Seedbg 0 · body 28 · acc 38 · head 196 · glasses 19