Depicts the coat of arms of the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan (after the April Coup, 1978–1980), the country name in English above and the date in Gregorian below.

The emblem of the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan (after the April Coup) features the name of the Khalqi military. It incorporates communist symbols such as the star. Surrounding the emblem, a wreath of ears of grain.

Khalq (lit. 'masses' or 'people') was a faction of the People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA), led by Nur Muhammad Taraki, Hafizullah Amin, and Sayed Mohammad Gulabzoy. Formed in 1967, it split from the Parcham faction and consisted mainly of rural Pashtuns. Khalqists ruled Afghanistan after the 1978 Saur Revolution, implementing radical reforms and brutal crackdowns, turning the country into a police state. These measures fueled rebellion among religious and ethnic minorities, leading many to join exiled Islamist groups. Khalqist rule ended with the Soviet intervention in December 1979, which overthrew Amin.

Depicts a Marco Polo sheep over grass, with a numeral value at the right with Pashto letters above.

The Marco Polo sheep (Ovis ammon polii) is a subspecies of wild sheep native to the mountainous regions of Central Asia, particularly the Pamir Mountains and surrounding areas. Named after the famed Venetian explorer Marco Polo, who encountered them during his travels in the 13th century, these sheep are renowned for their impressive curved horns, which can exceed 1.5 meters (5 feet) in length. They inhabit rugged and inaccessible terrain at high altitudes, often above 4,000 meters (13,000 feet), where they graze on alpine vegetation. Marco Polo sheep are adapted to extreme environments, with thick fur to withstand harsh winters and specialized hooves for navigating rocky terrain. Due to habitat loss, hunting pressure, and poaching, their populations are declining, leading to conservation efforts to protect this iconic species.