Zimbabwe to Introduce 50 Cent Bond CoinsDay-to-day transactions for Zimbabwe’s cash-strapped population is about to get even a little easier. The country’s reserve bank governor, John Mangudya, says he will soon be rolling out 50-cent bond coins, to add to the one, five, ten and 25-cent coins introduced two months ago. The move is aimed at boosting price competitiveness, while allowing customers to receive change in currency, as opposed to candy or other non-monetary commodity. Mangudya, however, was quick to shoot down speculation that the coins – worth $5 million – signal a much-feared return of the Zimbabwe dollar, abandoned in early 2009. Mangudya said the bond coins will benefit Zimbabweans. Zimbabwe has since adopted a multi-currency system, recognizing the US dollar, British-pound, South African rand, Chinese yuan, among others, as an official mode of exchange. Speculation about a return of the Zimbabwe dollar has been rife for the past six years owing to the shortage of foreign currency. The multi-currency system is dependent on the inflow of cash from abroad, and the economy’s massive current account deficit translates into outflows depleting the local money supply.