Description
The gourde is the official currency in Haiti since 1813 when the livre was replaced. In 1881, coins of 1, 2, 10, 20 and 50 centimes and 1 gourde were introduced, followed by 5 centimes coin in 1889. But, in the 1890s were withdrawn the 1, 2 centimes and 1 gourde coins. Then, in 1949 the 5 and 10 centimes coins were issued, followed by 20 centimes coin in 1956, 50 centimes in 1972 and 1 and 5 gourdes in 1995.
The 5 Haitian Gourdes coin front design features the bust of four Haitian Revolution Leaders: General Toussaint Louverture (1743 – 1803 /top), Henri Christophe (1767 – 1820 /left), Jean-Jacques Dessalines (1758 – 1806 /right), Alexandre Pétion (1770 – 1818 /bottom). The reverse coin design has the National Coat of Arms (consists of a palm tree with a Phrygian cap on top, six flags, a tree on each side, a palm tree and cannons, a drum, bungle, long guns, and ship anchors. The motto: French: L’Union fait la force (“Unity makes strength”) and the denomination. This coin is part of the 1995 – 2018 series, its rim is fluted with plain corners, and its color is gold.
Text: République D’haïti, Liberté Égalité Fraternité, 5 Gourdes, 1995.