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20 Francs Smilodon - gilded
| Issuer | Banque Centrale du Congo |
|---|---|
| Year | 2020 |
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| Shape | Round |
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| Obverse lettering | REPUBLIQUE DEMOCRATIQUE DU CONGO · 20 FRANCS · |
| Reverse description | The reverse presents a highly detailed, high-relief depiction of a Smilodon (saber-toothed cat) in close-up, its open jaws prominently displaying the characteristic elongated upper canine teeth. To the left, a fossilized skull of the Smilodon is rendered in selective gold gilding, providing vivid contrast against the silver field. Rocky terrain fills the background in fine sculptural detail. The legend PREDATORS · SMILODON arcs along the upper border, with the word -EXTINCT- on a banner below it. The date 2020 appears to the left, and the fineness inscription .999 FINE SILVER 1 OZ is engraved along the lower exergue. |
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| Additional information |
The Smilodon — extinct roughly 10,000 years ago and never native to Africa — has no particular connection to the Democratic Republic of Congo. Its appearance here is purely commercial, part of a wave of exotic-animal bullion issues from central African mints that use nominal DRC authority to sell internationally to collectors. The Banque Centrale du Congo has licensed dozens of such designs since the early 2000s, most destined entirely for the European and Asian numismatic market rather than domestic circulation.
The gilding over .999 silver follows a well-worn formula in this series. KM# 153 registers it, but the practical issuing infrastructure sits largely outside Kinshasa.