Depicts the national arms within the wreath, country name in French above and date below.

Djibouti adopted its national emblem upon gaining independence from France on June 27, 1977. The emblem features laurel branches on the sides and encloses a vertical spear with a shield in front. Below the shield, two hands holding large machetes represent the nation's main ethnic groups, the Afar and the Issa. At the top of the spear is a red star, symbolizing unity between the Issa and Afar peoples.

Depicts the head of a waterbuck (large antelope) with palm leaves spread at the top between its long horns, either side of the head a shell with Epinephelus fish underneath, colony name above and denomination on both sides.

The waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus) is a sizable antelope native to sub-Saharan Africa, classified in the genus Kobus within the Bovidae family. Discovered by Irish naturalist William Ogilby in 1833, it comprises 13 subspecies grouped into two varieties: the common or ellipsiprymnus waterbuck and the defassa waterbuck. Typically, its head-and-body length ranges from 177 to 235 cm (70 to 93 in), and height varies from 120 to 136 cm (47 to 54 in). Exhibiting sexual dimorphism, males are taller and heavier, with a shoulder height of around 127 cm (50 in) and weight of 198–262 kg (437–578 lb), while females reach 119 cm (47 in) and 161–214 kg (355–472 lb) respectively. Their coat color can range from brown to grey, and only males possess long, spiral horns measuring 55–99 cm (22–39 in).

Epinephelus, a genus of marine fish in the subfamily Epinephelinae, belongs to the Serranidae family, which encompasses anthias and sea basses. These predatory fish are commonly found in tropical and subtropical seas worldwide, particularly around reefs, and are significant targets for fisheries.

Engraver: Lucien Georges Bazor

Mint mark: Cornucopia, a horn of plenty (Paris Mint)

Privy marks of the Mint's Chief Engravers:
• Dolphin - Emile Rousseau (1975-1993)
• Bee - Pierre Rodier (1994-2000)