Qatar 50 dirham 1973

The coin's story

This cupronickel 50 dirhams coin is part of the first series of coins of Qatar, struck from 1973 (1393 of the Hijra) under Emir Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani, in power from 1972 to 1995. Until then, Qatar had shared with Dubai the Qatar and Dubai riyal, created in 1966, after Dubai joined the United Arab Emirates, Qatar issued its own currency from 19 May 1973, the Qatari riyal, divided into 100 dirhams. The obverse shows the country's former emblem, a dhow sailing near an island planted with palm trees. The coins were designed by Norman Sillman and struck by the British Royal Mint at Llantrisant. This type remained in use until 1998, under Emir Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.