Rwanda 1 franc (ifaranga) 2003 - Steel new type

Besides the known Rwanda aluminum 1 franc (ifaranga) 2003 (KM#22) this type also exists in magnetic steel. As seen in the image, left one is aluminum, right one is steel.

The new steel strike is from the South African Mint, it is thinner, weighs 1.92 grams and has plain edge.

It seems this new metal 1 franc has been restruck with frozen date later than 2003, possibly in connection with the minting of the last series dated 2007, 2009 and 2011. Because of low value the steel 1f never made its way into real circulation, so it seems to be scarce.



(news, data and images by Wolfgang Schuster)

Zimbabwe 5 dollars 2003 - Plain edge variety

The Zimbabwe 5 dollars from years 2001 and 2002 (KM#13) have a reeded edge and are quite easy to find:



My friend Wolfgang Schuster has reported that year 2003 issue (which is very scarce) has a plain edge, so should be considered a subtype, and not KM#13 like 2013 Krause edition says:

Zimbabwe 2003/08 - 10 & 25 dollars

New circulating types:



Although they were minted in 2003, they've released in 2008.

(information by P.K.Saha, image taken from eBay)