Gabon 1000 Franc Aurum® 24k Gold Bill

The obverse artwork highlights the majestic African forest elephant, set on a complex pattern of variable linework, which represents both the varied landscape and western oceanic edge of Gabon. Through concerted conservation efforts, Gabon has the world’s largest population of African forest elephants, estimated at 95,000 or 60-70%. The animals thrive in the country’s humid forests, where they consume leaves, tree bark, fruit, and seeds.

The coat of arms of Gabon appears on the left side of the bill, in a vertical bar containing nine “1000” security marks to represent the country’s nine provinces. A ceremonial mask of the Fang people, one of Gabon’s 40 ethnic groups, appears as a watermark on the right side of the bill. Also present are a small silhouette of Gabon and security printing in offset and color treatment. An abstract of the Sirdavidia flower, found in Gabon’s Crystal Mountains National Park, appears across the top of the bill. Additional patterns reference the boubou, a wide-sleeved robe that is decorated with intricate embroidery.

The reverse includes an aerial view of Lopé National Park and the Ogooué River in the foreground. Lopé National Park was declared a World Heritage Site in 2007. It is an ecologically complex region home to a diverse wildlife population, including the black panther, the national animal of Gabon. A larger coat of arms is featured in the top left corner of the bill. In addition to security elements, the borders incorporate traditional patterns of the Bantu peoples, comprising over 400 distinct groups throughout Africa. Nine Sirdavidia flowers on the bottom of the bill represent the nine provinces of Gabon.