10 Zambian Kwacha Banknote (Kenneth Kaunda Type 1980)

10 Kwacha Zambian Kwacha (Issued 1980-1988)

The Bank of Zambia was established in 1964 following the country’s independence from British colonial rule, taking on full responsibility for monetary policy, currency issuance, and the stability of Zambia’s financial system. Throughout the 1980s, the Bank managed a series of standardised note designs that carried consistent imagery across multiple denominations, reflecting a period of institutional consolidation under a single-party state. These notes were printed by Thomas De La Rue and Company Limited, one of the world’s foremost security printers, lending them considerable technical sophistication for their era. The Bank of Zambia’s headquarters in Lusaka served as both the administrative and symbolic heart of the national currency programme during this period.

On the front, the dominant feature to the right is a finely engraved portrait of Kenneth Kaunda, the founding President of Zambia, rendered in a warm brown and ochre intaglio print that captures his broad smile and characteristic open-necked attire. The central text reads “I PROMISE TO PAY THE BEARER ON DEMAND” in clear serif typography, followed by the denomination “TEN KWACHA” in bold capital lettering, with the line “FOR THE BANK OF ZAMBIA” set beneath. To the upper left, the issuing authority is identified with “BANK OF ZAMBIA” printed in dark blue lettering against the pale background. A finely detailed engraving of a fish eagle — Zambia’s national bird — appears to the left of centre, perched upright with distinctive white head and chestnut plumage rendered in careful intaglio work. Below the eagle, a smaller vignette depicts the Zambian coat of arms supported by two human figures, rendered in blue-grey engraving. The serial number 87/D 694176 appears twice, once in the upper left and once in the lower right, both printed in blue. The Governor’s signature is present below the central denomination text. The overall colour palette of the front is a soft green and blue with geometric guilloche patterning forming the background field, particularly prominent in the corners where the numeral “10” is repeated in dark blue. A subtle watermark area is visible to the right of the portrait.

The reverse is dominated by a large, highly detailed engraved vignette of the Bank of Zambia headquarters building in Lusaka — a multi-storey modernist structure rendered in fine blue-grey intaglio line work, with the words “BANK OF ZAMBIA” legible on the building’s facade. The architectural detail is precise, showing a grid of windows across the upper floors and a lower entrance level with vehicles suggested in the foreground. The denomination “TEN KWACHA” is printed in bold dark lettering along the lower centre of the note. “BANK OF ZAMBIA” appears prominently in the upper centre in large blue lettering. The numeral “10” is repeated in the upper left and upper right corners, and again in the lower left and lower right corners in the same dark blue. A sinuous geometric wave pattern in blue runs along the lower portion of the note, and pale aquamarine guilloche patterning fills the background. To the left, a stylised decorative element in teal and pale blue — resembling the stylised leaf or floral motif used across the series — frames the left edge of the note. The printer’s imprint “THOMAS DE LA RUE & COMPANY LIMITED” is visible in small text along the lower margin.

Exchange foreign coins and notes with no fuss: Webuyallcurrency.com accepts this 10 Kwacha banknote and other old or withdrawn Zambian Kwacha banknotes, paying out for everything together in a single transaction.

• Indicate the quantity of 10 Kwacha Zambian Kwacha banknotes you want to exchange
• Click the ‘Add to your account’ button
• Your online account now shows the exchange value

Whether you want to sell foreign coins and notes or exchange leftover currency from past trips, Webuyallcurrency.com accepts Zambian Kwacha banknotes alongside modern money and settles everything in a single, easy transaction.

Other Zambian Kwacha you can exchange: 1, 2, 5, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000, 5000.