Information about effigy: Coat of Arms of Dominica

The Coat of Arms of Dominica was adopted on 21 July 1961.

Its heraldic description is as follows:
"Quarterly Or and Azure a cross fillet counterchanged in the first quarter on a Rocky Mount Sable a Coconut Tree fructed proper in the second a Dominica Crapaud also proper in the third on Water Barry wavy in base a Carib canoe with sail set all likewise proper in the fourth quarter on a Rocky Mount also sable a Banana Tree fructed also proper and for the crest. On a Wreath Argent and Azure a Rocky Mount Sable thereon a Lion Passant guardant Or and for the Supporters. On either side of Sisserou Parrot (Amazona imperials) proper beaked and membered or together with this motto APRES BONDIE C'EST LA TER."

Or, in plain language:
The design depicts a shield divided into four quarters of a cross, referring to the Island’s name, because of its discovery on a Sunday. In first quarter on the top left, you see the black volcanic soil of Dominica supporting a coconut tree, and in the fourth quarter on bottom right a fully developed banana plant bearing a mature bunch of fruits is shown. A toad is in the second quarter, while in the third quarter, a canoe under sail glides on the Caribbean Sea. A wreath of silver and blue bears the crest, a golden lion standing upon a black rocky mount, with the Sisserou parrot (Amazona imperialis) as supporters.

Dominica uses the Eastern Caribbean Dollar (EC$), which is the common currency of six independent states and two British Overseas Territories. As such, the currency does not display national symbols - usually, the obverse has the effigy of the British monarch, who is the shared Head of State of seven of the member states. However, individual states occasionally issue commemorative or bullion coins which feature their individual symbols. The Coat of Arms of Dominica was first shown on the obverse of a commemorative in 1970; in 2024, it featured on the reverse of bullion coins issued as part of the Eastern Caribbean 8 series.

Coloured Coat of Arms of Dominica

Dominica / Gold Ounce 2024 Coat of Arms

The Coat of Arms of Dominica as depicted in colour on the reverse of a gold bullion coin.