The most popular Burundi coins take collectors on a journey from vintage gold proofs to some of today’s most ambitious art pieces. Low-mintage gold coins from the founding years and large-format modern issues demonstrate how the nation blends heritage with innovation on the contemporary numismatic map.
Historical Context
Burundi became independent on July 1, 1962, and continued as a monarchy under King Mwambutsa IV. Like some other early issues of African coins, the first national Burundi coins were struck by a foreign mint. The Royal Mint of Belgium struck the first Burundi issues. The Burundi monarchy ended after the military coup disbanded on November 28, 1966, and republican symbols soon appeared on circulating coinage.
Catalogue of Popular Burundi Coins
Independence Era Collectibles
1962 Gold Proof Set
Authorized as legal tender and struck only for collectors at the Belgian mint, the 1962 proof set remains among Burundi’s most prestigious release.
| Denomination | Gold Content | Mintage | Face Value |
| 10 Francs | 0.0926 oz | about 7,500 | 10 Francs |
| 25 Francs | 0.2315 oz | about 3,500 | 25 Francs |
| 50 Francs | 0.4630 oz | about 3,500 | 50 Francs |
| 100 Francs | 0.9253 oz | about 2,500 | 100 Francs |
Obverse Design
Left-facing bust of King Mwambutsa IV in formal dress.
Reverse Design
National coat of arms with lion, shields, spears, and the motto “Unité Travail Progrès.”
1965 Gold Fifty Francs “Fiftieth Year of Reign”
Gold content: 0.434 oz; mintage of a few thousand.
Obverse Design
Uniformed bust of King Mwambutsa IV with dual dates 1915 and 1965.
Reverse Design
National coat of arms and commemorative legends.
A PCGS MS-66 example sold for about $1,760 in 2025. This commemorative remains an active market favorite alongside the 1962 proofs.
Modern Art and Themed Coins
Recent issues, like those struck by MDM Mint in Germany, showcase Burundi’s modern artistic vision and cross-cultural themes. These are issued as legal tender, and each coin ships in a presentation case with a numbered certificate and tamper-evident capsule.
| Program | Years | Metal / Weight | Face value | Mintage |
| Jade Lunar Series | 2024–2026 | 2 oz silver | 25 Francs | 1,888 each year |
| Big Five Set | 2025 | 5 × 1 oz silver | 25 Francs each | 555 sets |
| Greek Gods Cube | 2025 | 1 kg silver | 500 Francs | 199 |
Jade Lunar Series (2024–2026)
Obverse Design
Coat of Arms of Burundi and the denomination “25 Francs.”
Reverse Design
Zodiac animal (dragon, snake, horse) in ultra-high relief silver, with natural jade inlay and selective gold accents.
These coins are prized for fusing Chinese zodiac tradition and Burundian statehood in a format renowned for low mintage and impeccable finish.
Big Five Set (2025)
Obverse Design
Burundian Coat of Arms and 25 Francs face value on each coin.
Reverse Design
Five finely detailed, high-relief portraits of lion, elephant, buffalo, rhinoceros, and leopard, celebrating Africa’s wildlife heritage. The set includes a total of five ounces of silver and is limited to 555 sets.
Greek Gods Cube (2025)
Obverse Design
One face carries the national arms and “500 Francs,” affirming legal tender status.
Reverse Design
Each of the other five faces depicts a myth scene, such as Zeus with lightning, Athena with her owl, or Poseidon wielding the trident. Each scene is artfully engraved in deep antique-finish relief. The scenes are oriented so the cube can be admired from every angle as a miniature sculpture.
From the gold proofs that marked independence to visionary three-dimensional art coins, Burundi’s numismatics offer an unbroken spirit of creativity. Burundi’s most popular coins promise a rewarding collecting experience rooted in both history and originality.
