20 Francs Bear, colorized

The Democratic Republic of the Congo has become one of the most prolific issuers of novelty bullion in the modern collector market, producing themed silver rounds under its sovereign authority almost entirely for foreign distributors — principally European — with no meaningful domestic circulation intended or achieved. These pieces are legal tender in name only, a designation that costs the DRC nothing and adds perceived legitimacy for export sales.

KM#373.1 distinguishes the colorized variant from the plain finish strike in the same series.