Obverse. Photo © AgAuNEWS
  • 250 Francs 2018, KM# 68, Djibouti, Shapes of Africa, Elephant
  • 250 Francs 2018, KM# 68, Djibouti, Shapes of Africa, Elephant
Description

Djibouti, formally known as the Republic of Djibouti, is situated in the Horn of Africa. It shares borders with Somalia to the south, Ethiopia to the southwest, Eritrea to the north, and is surrounded by the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden to the east. The country covers an area of 23,200 km2 (8,958 sq mi).

Obverse

Depicts the national coat of arms encased by a wreath, the French country name positioned above, the denomination centered on the left, the silhouette of a walking elephant left serving as a perforation in the center, and the year of issue on the bottom.

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.

REPUBLIQUE DE DJIBOUTI
250 FRANCS
2018

Reverse

Depicts a detailed view of a tusked African elephant raising its trunk ahead of a background field consisting of its natural habitat landscape, with the outline of a walking elephant right serving as a perforation, the metal, purity, and weight specifications on the bottom. The map of Africa, serving as a central component within the entire series, is positioned on the middle left.

The African bush elephant (Loxodonta africana), also known as the African savanna elephant, is the largest elephant of the animal kingdom. It can weigh from 8,800 to 15,400 pounds, making it the heaviest terrestrial mammal species. On average, males are 3.2 meters (10.5 ft) tall at the shoulder and 6 tons (6.6 short tons) in weight, while females are relatively smaller at 2.6 meters (8.5 ft) tall at the shoulder and 3 tons (3.3 short tons) in weight. Elephants attain their maximum stature when they complete the fusion of long-bone epiphyses, occurring in males around the age of 40 and females around the age of 25. Their large size means that they must consume around 50 gallons of water everyday in order to stay hydrated. These elephants are known for being hunted for their tusks, ears, feet, and meat, so the population of bush elephants in the world have been increasingly declining.

ELEPHANT
1 oz AG .999

Edge
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Non-circulating)
Material Silver
Fineness 0.999
Weight 31.1 g
Diameter 50 mm
Thickness -
Shape round
Alignment Coin
Mint
MDM

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