20 Francs Archaeopteryx, colourized

The Archaeopteryx itself was discovered in Bavaria in 1861, just two years after Darwin published On the Origin of Species — timing that made the fossil an immediate flashpoint in the evolution debate. It remains one of the most scientifically significant vertebrate fossils ever excavated, despite having no meaningful connection to the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The DRC has issued an extensive series of numismatic silver under Banque Centrale authority targeting the collector market, most with no domestic circulation intent. The KM#337.1 reference distinguishes this colourized variant from companion issues in the same type.