Brother, can you spare $100,000,000,000?

So, you thought inflation was high in the states? Be glad you don't live here:

Zimbabwe is to introduce a bank-note worth Z$100bn in response to rampant inflation - but the note will barely cover the cost of a loaf of bread.

(Zimbabwe's $10 million note, introduced in January. Photo: BBC)

Some Zimbabweans are already calling for higher denominations in a country where the official annual inflation rate has exceeded 2,200,000%.

Independent economists believe the real rate is many times higher.

Zimbabwe's meltdown has left at least 80% of the population in poverty, facing mass shortages of basic goods.

The country's central bank has introduced several new notes already this year in response to the hyperinflation.

In January, a Z$10 million note was issued, followed by a Z$50 million. By June the denominations had reached tens of billions.
...
"This new $100 billion special agro-cheque will go into circulation on Monday," the notice said.

But Zimbabwe residents say the latest note is already worthless, and does not even cover their daily lunch.

"Nowadays, for my expenses a day, I need about Z$500 billion," one resident said.

"So Z$100 billion can't do anything because for me to go home I need Z$250 billion, so this [note] is worthless."

Zimbabwe was once one of the richest countries in Africa.

Hard to imagine an official inflation rate of 2.2 million percent, with the real rate likely much higher. Your whole perception of money changes. You would almost long for the days when dinner for one at the swanky Victoria Falls Hotel cost a mere $1.5 billion or so. You know, like back in March.

Here's what the Z$50,000,000 note looks like:

(Zim $50 million note. Click to enlarge. Credit: Effective Demand blog.)

Note the expiration date!

Maybe inflation will be what finally breaks Mugabe's hold on power. It certainly won't be the "international community", or the corrupt United Nations.

[via The Big Picture]