40 Djiboutian Commemorative Franc Commemorative Banknote (Whale Shark)

40 Francs Djibouti Franc (Issued 2017)

Issued to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Djiboutian independence, this 2017 commemorative note from the Banque Centrale de Djibouti incorporates a suite of security features appropriate to its era, including an embedded security thread visible against the light, a watermark zone integrated into the paper substrate along the left margin, and fine guilloché microprinting woven throughout the background. The serial number appears in two orientations — horizontally across the lower left and vertically along the left edge — providing an additional layer of authentication. The paper itself carries the tactile and visual qualities characteristic of modern central bank issue, with deliberate colour gradients designed to resist photographic reproduction. These measures collectively reflect the Banque Centrale de Djibouti’s commitment to producing a technically robust commemorative denomination.

On the front, the note is dominated by a spectacular full-colour underwater scene depicting a whale shark rendered in fine photographic-style printing, its dark body covered in the characteristic white spots and pale streaks of the species. The whale shark glides above a vivid coral reef populated with sea anemones, soft corals, and marine flora in rich tones of orange, red, violet, and cream, evoking the waters of the Gulf of Tadjoura and the Red Sea that define Djibouti’s maritime identity. The denomination numeral “40” appears in bold at the upper left within a green rectangular panel, and again in large format at the right side of the note in dark ink against a lighter field, accompanied by the text “QUARANTE FRANCS” in capital letters. The issuing authority is clearly identified by the inscription “BANQUE CENTRALE DE DJIBOUTI” printed in prominent dark lettering across the upper centre of the note. A serial number reading DJ0064769 is printed in red-orange numerals to the right, while the same serial number runs vertically in matching type along the left border. Arabic text identifying the denomination — أربعون فرنك — and the words “QUARANTE FRANCS” appear in the lower left corner. A small emblem or logo of the bank is visible at the upper left, adjacent to the “40” panel. Below the central vignette, the signature of Le Gouverneur is printed in facsimile, and the commemorative inscription “40ÈME ANNIVERSAIRE DE L’INDÉPENDANCE” is displayed prominently across the lower portion of the note, anchoring the design’s celebratory purpose. The overall palette transitions from greens and ochres on the left border through the deep blues and blacks of the shark’s body to the warm coral tones of the reef, creating a visually dynamic composition.

The reverse carries a distinctly architectural and industrial character, centring on a detailed vignette of Djibouti’s port infrastructure, with two large construction cranes rendered in precise line work dominating the central composition against a background that suggests port buildings, warehouses, and loading facilities. To the left of centre, a lower structure with a flat roofline and what appears to be a shipping or industrial facility is depicted in blue-grey tones, reflecting Djibouti’s status as one of East Africa’s most strategically important commercial ports. In the upper left, a circular commemorative logo prominently displays the “40 Jubilé d’Indépendance” motif in blue and gold, reinforcing the anniversary theme carried over from the front. Arabic text identifying the bank — البنك المركزي الجيبوتي — runs across the upper portion of the reverse in dark lettering, mirroring the bilingual authority of the front. A map of Djibouti rendered in gold-olive tones appears at the upper right, providing geographic context. The denomination “40” appears at the upper left in Arabic numeral style and again at the lower right alongside “QUARANTE FRANCS” in bold type. The background is composed of fine guilloché patterns in soft blue and grey that give way to the numeral “40” in large ghost watermark style at the centre-right of the field. A legal warning in French is printed in small red text across the lower centre, reading in substance that counterfeiting the banknote is punishable by twenty years’ criminal imprisonment and a fine of 50,000,000 FDJ, a standard deterrent legend characteristic of Banque Centrale de Djibouti issues.

Wondering who buys foreign coins and notes? Webuyallcurrency.com does — a 40 Francs Djibouti Franc banknote like this is accepted alongside other current Djiboutian Franc banknotes, so you can exchange the lot for cash at once.

• Indicate the quantity of 40 Francs Djibouti Franc banknotes you want to exchange
• Click the ‘Add to your account’ button
• Your online account now shows the exchange value

From leftover holiday money to inherited collections, Webuyallcurrency.com will exchange or buy your Djiboutian Franc banknotes and other foreign currency, handling old and withdrawn pieces in the same simple process.

Other Djiboutian Franc you can exchange: 1000, 2000, 5000, 10000.