Reverse In the central part, a portrait of President Salva Kiir, to his right the national flag, below the portrait the inscription 'God Blessed 1st President'. Along the upper edge arc the person's name 'H.E Salva Kiir Mayardit', below – '20 South Sudanese Pounds 2011'. The inscriptions are separated by raised dots and are in English.
Obverse In the central part is the coat of arms of South Sudan: an African fish eagle with wings spread, turned to the right, in front of it a shield and crossed spear and hoe. In the upper part along the coin's edge arc the country name in English 'REPUBLIC OF SOUTH SUDAN'. To the left, below, and to the right the inscription 'COMMEMORATIVE FOR INDEPENDENCE 9TH JULY 2011'. The inscriptions are bounded by raised elements.