Peruvian coat of arms consisting of three elements: the top left section shows the vicuña, the national animal, representing the fauna of Peru; the tree in the top right section is the cinchona tree (the source of quinine, a powerful anti-malarial drug and the key flavorant in tonic water), representing the national flora; and the bottom cornucopia with coins spilling from it, represents the mineral resources of the country. It has a palm branch on its left and an laurel one on its right, tied by a ribbon, as well as a Holm oak Civic Crown above it. These represent God, gold, and glory.

There are two variants with small and big legend and date.

Denomination flanked by Chimu designs from the city of Chan Chan.

Chan Chan, the largest city of the pre-Columbian era in South America, is now an archaeological site in La Libertad Region 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) west of Trujillo, Peru.

Chan Chan is located in the mouth of the Moche Valley and was the capital of the historical empire of the Chimor from 900 to 1470, when they were defeated and incorporated into the Inca Empire. Chimor, a conquest state, developed from the Chimú culture which established itself along the Peruvian coast around 1400 AD. In the Chimú tongue, Quingnam, Chan Chan means "Sun Sun;" it was named for its sunny climate which is cooled year round by a southerly breeze.