In December of 2021 the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirate (UAE) introduced a brand-new addition to their current banknote family. The new denomination is the UAE 50 Dirhams but, what makes this release special is that it is the first ever polymer banknote released the Central Bank of the UAE. This banknote release also coincides with the 50th National Day.
What Is National Day?
What does that mean exactly? National Day dates to December 2, 1971. After the British announced that they were leaving the Arab Gulf region the 6 Emirates in the region consisting of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Umm al-Quwain, Fujairah and Ajman decided to join together and form the United Arab Emirates that we know today. The 7th and final Emirate by the name of Ra’s al-Khaimah joined the following year. This union has brought stability and prosperity to the region while still maintaining their culture and values.
The New 50 Dirham Banknote
The new 50 Dirhams banknote is printed by Oumolat and it is colored in various hues of blue and purple. It does not contain a security strip. On the obverse side you can find a portrait of the 7 founding fathers of the UAE. In the see-through window you can find an image of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan who served as first president and who unfortunately passed away this month. On the left side is an image of the Wahat Al Karama war memorial and monument dedicated to soldiers who died while serving. It’s characterized by its leaning pillar.
The reverse side also features a large portrait of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan signing the union agreement between all the Emirates in 1971. In the background you can also find an image of the Etihad heritage museum which preserves pieces of Emirati cultural, political and military history. An interesting fact is that the museum also holds the union house which is where the 7 founding fathers signed the union forming the UAE.
5 & 10 Dirham Banknotes Released in 2022
If the 50 Dirham note is not enough in April 2022 new 5 Dirham and 10 Dirham polymer banknotes were also released into the general public. Each of them features their own unique obverse and reverse designs which contain historical, cultural and religious landmarks. The brown 5 Dirhams features an image of the Ajman Fort on the front which dates to the 18th century. The reverse side features an image of the Dhayah Fort which is a UNESCO world heritage site. The green 10 Dirhams banknote shows the Sheikh Zayed Great Mosque of Abu Dhabi and the Khor Fakkan amphitheatre located in Sharjah. Both banknotes contain security strips and also in the see-through window you can find an image of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. What do you think about the UAE’s move to polymer?
Sources:
https://wow-rak.com/the-polymer-banknotes-of-dh5-dh10-and-dh50-in-the-uae/
https://banknotenews.com/?p=34878
