Until 1991, all Zambian banknotes featured a portrait of President Kenneth Kaunda on the obverse. After 1992, all notes have instead featured a fish eagle on the obverse. After 1989, all the reverses featured the Chainbreaker statue. In 2003, Zambia became the first African country to issue polymer banknotes. The 500 and 1000 kwacha were both printed on polymer. Although the old 20 kwacha note was still in circulation until 2012, such is the rarity of this note that most major retailers rounded prices up to the nearest 50 kwacha when calculating a total. Most items in major supermarkets were displayed using 20 kwacha in the value (e.g., 1980 kwacha).
until 1991 all zambian banknotes featured a portrait of president kenneth kaunda on the obverse after 1992 all notes have instead featured a fish eagle on the obverse after 1989 all the reverses featured the chainbreaker statue in 2003 zambia became the first african country to issue polymer banknotes the 500 and 1000 kwacha were both printed on polymer although the old 20 kwacha note was still in circulation until 2012 such is the rarity of this note that most major retailers rounded prices up to the nearest 50 kwacha when calculating a total most items in major supermarkets were displayed using 20 kwacha in the value (eg 1980 kwacha)