1 Zambian Kwacha Banknote (Kenneth Kaunda Type 1980)

1 Kwacha Zambian Kwacha (Issued 1980-1988)

Zambia in the 1980s was defined by the long presidency of Kenneth Kaunda, the founding father of the nation who had led the country since independence from Britain in 1964. Under Kaunda’s one-party state, the United National Independence Party held absolute political authority, while the country wrestled with falling copper prices, a deteriorating economy, and mounting national debt. It was within this context of post-independence nation-building and economic strain that the Bank of Zambia issued this standardised series of banknotes, designed to present a unified national identity through consistent imagery across all denominations. The 1 Kwacha note of this period stands as a document of Zambia’s political landscape under one of Africa’s most prominent post-colonial leaders.

On the front, the dominant feature to the right of centre is a finely engraved portrait of Kenneth Kaunda, first President of Zambia, depicted smiling warmly and wearing traditional Zambian dress draped over one shoulder. The engraving is executed with considerable tonal depth, rendering the facial features and fabric texture with precision typical of intaglio printing. To the left of centre, a large African fish eagle is depicted perched upright with detailed feathering shown across its breast, wings, and tail — the fish eagle being the national bird of Zambia and a central element of the country’s symbolism. Between the eagle and the portrait, the text “ONE KWACHA” appears in bold lettering, accompanied by the promise clause “I PROMISE TO PAY THE BEARER ON DEMAND” and the phrase “FOR THE BANK OF ZAMBIA” beneath the Governor’s signature. The issuing authority is declared prominently at the top in the text “BANK OF ZAMBIA”, framed within a dark oval cartouche against which the word “ZAMBIA” appears in white lettering. The serial number Z/A 030122 is printed in green and appears twice — once in the upper left area and once along the lower margin. To the lower centre, the Zambian coat of arms is visible in engraved form, showing two figures flanking a central shield. The background of the note features delicate guilloché patterning in pale lilac and pink tones, with geometric panel designs in a darker maroon-purple appearing in the four corners of the note, each incorporating the letter “K” as the kwacha symbol. The overall colour palette of the front combines soft rose, lilac, and pale green tones with the darker engraved elements providing strong contrast.

The reverse of the note is printed in a warm maroon and brown palette against a pale background that carries faint guilloché patterning in lilac and rose. The central vignette, engraved with considerable detail, depicts a group of agricultural workers — men and women — bent over and working amongst low-growing crops in what appears to be a field scene representing Zambia’s farming sector. The figures are rendered with fine line engraving showing clothing folds, physical posture, and background foliage with considerable care. Sacks appear at the left of the scene, suggesting a harvest in progress. The text “BANK OF ZAMBIA” appears at the top of the reverse in bold lettering, again with the word “ZAMBIA” set within a dark cartouche. The denomination “ONE KWACHA” is printed in bold text along the lower central area, flanked on each side by the “K1” kwacha symbol within the same geometric corner panels seen on the front. Along the lower margin, the printer’s imprint reads “THOMAS DE LA RUE & COMPANY, LIMITED”, confirming production by one of the world’s most respected security printing houses. The corner decorative panels on the reverse mirror those of the front in their diagonal cross-hatched and geometric design, maintaining the visual consistency of the standardised series.

Webuyallcurrency.com makes it easy to exchange old coins and banknotes — a 1 Kwacha banknote from Zambia is accepted with other old or withdrawn Zambian Kwacha banknotes and converted into cash in one go.

• Indicate the quantity of 1 Kwacha Zambian Kwacha banknotes you want to exchange
• Click the ‘Add to your account’ button
• Your online account now shows the exchange value

Webuyallcurrency.com makes it easy to sell foreign coins and banknotes for cash, taking Zambian Kwacha banknotes along with modern and withdrawn currency so everything is converted in one step.

Other Zambian Kwacha you can exchange: 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000, 5000.