Proposed Arabian Gulf Currency Designs of the 1960s

Started by Galapagos, August 19, 2009, 09:29:21 PM

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Galapagos

Arabian Gulf.jpg

Christopher Ironside's unadopted designs for the proposed Gulf currency.

In the 1960s, there was briefly a proposal for a joint currency of the following Gulf states:-

1] Bahrain
2] Qatar
3] Abu Dhabi
4] Dubai

As a result, the Royal Mint was asked to provide prototype designs for these coins. The British numismatic artist, Christopher Ironside, produced two sets of designs for this project. The first set depicted each denomination within its own geometric Arabic design. This set was favoured by the Royal Mint, in preference to the second set.

The second set included a mixture of thematic designs, like those now found on the coinage of the United Arab Emirates. A note in the National archive files dated 24th Feburary 1966 states: "The project for a common Gulf currency looks like being shelved for the time being, and instead Qatar and Dubai are aiming to issue a joint currency in the near future."

Qatar and Dubai did later introduce a joint currency in 1966, using on their coins the dorcas gazelle design that was originally destined for the Arabian Gulf currency.

Christopher Ironside later produced the reverse designs for the UK's first decimal sets, as well as circulation sets for the Isle of Man, Tanzania, and Singapore, amongst others.

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South Arabia 1 dirham-Arab dhow.jpg


An alernative 1 dirham design.

It features an Arab dhow.
Visit the website of The Royal Mint Museum.

See: The Royal Mint Museum.

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Visit the website of The Royal Mint Museum.

See: The Royal Mint Museum.

<k>

Visit the website of The Royal Mint Museum.

See: The Royal Mint Museum.

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Visit the website of The Royal Mint Museum.

See: The Royal Mint Museum.

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Visit the website of The Royal Mint Museum.

See: The Royal Mint Museum.

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Visit the website of The Royal Mint Museum.

See: The Royal Mint Museum.

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Coinage of the United Arab Emirates.

In 1973 the United Arab Emirates issued their first coinage.

The themes (above) are similar to those considered for the abortive Gulf Currency.

See also:

Coinage of the United Arab Emirates.

United Arab Emirates: unadopted coin designs of 1972.
Visit the website of The Royal Mint Museum.

See: The Royal Mint Museum.

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1 dirham.jpg

1 dirham.


Here are the designs for the  first set.

They consist of geometric Arab motifs.
Visit the website of The Royal Mint Museum.

See: The Royal Mint Museum.

<k>

Visit the website of The Royal Mint Museum.

See: The Royal Mint Museum.

<k>

Visit the website of The Royal Mint Museum.

See: The Royal Mint Museum.

<k>

Visit the website of The Royal Mint Museum.

See: The Royal Mint Museum.

<k>

Visit the website of The Royal Mint Museum.

See: The Royal Mint Museum.

<k>

Visit the website of The Royal Mint Museum.

See: The Royal Mint Museum.