Oman new 50-rial note (B235.5) reportedly introduced 02.06.2019

According to a press release, on 2 June 2019 the Central Bank of Oman introduced a newly enhanced 50-rial note with additional security features. The new note bears the same date and signature as the preceding issue (B235) introduced in 2012, but now has a Varifeye CC Patch instead of varifeye thread, a RollingStar windowed security thread, and a SPARK Live Truspin crown.

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Oman corrected date (2015) 1-rial commemorative note (B236b) confirmed

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Like B236a, but date on front corrected: ١٤٣٧ (1437).

Courtesy of Nin Cheun (Noteshobby).


Oman corrected 1-rial commemorative note reported

According to a Times of Oman article dated 19 June 2016, the Central Bank of Oman has reportedly issued a corrected 1-rial note which fixes a date error on the note (B236) which was originally issued 18 November 2015 to commemorate the 45th National Day (18 November), the day Sultan Qaboos bin Said overthrew the restrictive rule of his father in 1970.

Oman new 1-rial commemorative note (B236) confirmed

According to a press release dated 18 November 2015, on the occasion of the 45th National Day 2015, the Central Bank of Oman announced the introduction of a new commemorative 1-rial banknote.

There are unconfirmed reports that the bank immediately withdrew the note because of an error in the Hijri year on the front of the note below the signature. It should be ١٤٣٧ (1437) but appears as ١٤٢٧ (1427). The date is correct on the back as 1437 H / 2015 G.
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B236 (PNL): 1 rial (US$2.60)
Purple. Front: Sultan Qaboos bin Said; coat of arms with crossed swords and khanjar (dagger); Al Alam Palace in Muscat, khanjar as registration device. Back: Flowers; khanjar; Desert white butterflies (Pontia glauconome); 45th National Day logo; Sultan Qaboos University in Al Khoudh in the Muscat Governorate. Two-tone windowed security thread. Watermark: Sultan. Printer: Unknown. 140 x 71 mm.
a. 1437 H / 2015 G. Signature 2. Intro: 18.11.2015.

Oman Currency Museum is open to the public

The Times of Oman has a nice article dated 27 August 2015 about the Oman Currency Museum which looks like a must-see for any collector passing through Oman.

Oman new 5- and 10-rial commemorative notes (B233, B234) confirmed

According to an article in the Oman Daily Observer dated 12 February 2012, the Central Bank of Oman has introduced new 5- and 10-rial notes (US$13 and $26, respectively) with upgraded security features, which will circulate in parallel with existing notes of the same denominations. Based upon the 40th NATIONAL DAY inscription on the back of these notes, it appears they are commemoratives.



B233 (P44): 5 rials (US$13)
Red. Front: Khanjar (dagger); crown as registration device; Sultan Qaboos University building with clock tower; Sultan Qaboos bin Said; coat of arms with crossed swords and khanjar (dagger); main entrance of the CBO headquarters. Back: Nizwa buildings; 40th National Day logo; crown. varifeye thread and windowed security thread with demetalized 5 RIALS. Watermark: Sultan and electrotype 5. Printer: (G&D). 153 x 76 mm.
a. 1431 H / 2010 G. Signature 2. Intro: Feb. 2012.



B234 (P45): 10 rials (US$26)
Brown. Front: Urn; crown as registration device; Salalah Tower; palm trees; Sultan Qaboos bin Said coat of arms with crossed swords and khanjar (dagger); main entrance of the CBO headquarters. Back: Muttrah Fort and town with harbor; 40th National Day logo; crown. varifeye thread and windowed security thread with demetalized 10 RIALS. Watermark: Sultan and electrotype 10. Printer: (G&D). 160 x 76 mm.
a. 1431 H / 2010 G. Signature 2. Intro: Feb. 2012.

Courtesy of Thomas Krause and Hartmut Fraunhoffer.

Oman new 50-rial commemorative note (B235) confirmed

On 9 January 2012, the Central Bank of Oman issued a new 50-rial (US$130) note to commemorate the 40th National Day (18 November), the day Sultan Qaboos bin Said overthrew the restrictive rule of his father in 1970. It is also the sultan’s birthday.

The statement issued by CBO pointed out that this new banknote shall be in circulation as legal tender along with the existing banknotes, which shall continue to remain legal tender, and circulated side by side with these new notes. The common and security features on the front of the upgraded issue are portrait of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said with the facsimile signature of His Majesty on the lower part of the note, watermark of His Majesty portrait on the left side of the note, the national emblem (Khanjar) on top of the note, the Central Bank of Oman in Arabic on top of the note, serial numbers on right and left side of the note, denomination in Arabic on the right and left sides of the note, recognition feature for the blind and vertical security thread in the middle of the note.

The back of the note includes the Central Bank of Oman in English on top side of the note, denomination in English on right and left side of the note and the 40th National Day logo.

The security features on the front of the note represent in intaglio portrait of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, twin step window, holographic element (Main Entrance of the Central Bank of Oman), tactile feature for the blind, color-shift / color fix magnetic windowed security thread, micro lettering, three dimensional mould - made watermark portrait, perfect see through register, electrotype watermark and spark OVMI feature.


B235 (P47): 50 rials (US$130)
Purple. Front: Crown; crown as registration device; Ministry of Finance and Economy building; Sultan Qaboos bin Said; Mirani Fort; coat of arms with crossed swords and khanjar (dagger); main entrance of the CBO headquarters. Back: Cabinet building; Ministry of Commerce and Industry building; 40th National Day logo; crown. varifeye thread and windowed security thread with demetalized 50 RIALS. Watermark: Sultan and electrotype 50. Printer: (G&D). 174 x 76 mm.
a. 1431 H / 2010 G. Signature 2. Intro: Feb. 2012.

Courtesy of Nazir Rahemtulla, Thomas Krause and Hartmut Fraunhoffer.

Oman chapter of The Banknote Book is now available


The Oman chapter of The Banknote Book is now available for individual sale and as a free download to subscribers.

This 13-page catalog covers notes issued by the Oman Currency Board in 1972, and the Central Bank of Oman from 1976 to present. Revised 28 June 2016.

Each chapter of The Banknote Book includes detailed descriptions and background information, full-color images, and accurate valuations. The Banknote Book also features:
  • Sharp color images of note’s front and back without overlap
  • Face value or date of demonetization if no longer legal tender
  • Specific identification of all vignette elements
  • Security features described in full
  • Printer imprint reproduced exactly as on note
  • Each date/signature variety assigned an individual letter
  • Variety checkboxes for tracking your collection and want list
  • Red stars highlight the many notes missing from the SCWPM
  • Date reproduced exactly as on note
  • Precise date of introduction noted when known
  • Replacement note information
  • Signature tables, often with names and terms of service
  • Background information for historical and cultural context
  • Details magnified to distinguish between note varieties
  • Bibliographic sources listed for further research

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Oman new 20-rial commemorative note (B232) confirmed


B232 (P46): 20 rials (US$52)
Blue, yellow, and purple. Front: Coat of arms with crossed swords and khanjar (dagger); Grand Mosque; Sultan Qaboos bin Said; main entrance of the CBO headquarters. Back: Royal Opera House building; 40th National Day logo; coat of arms. varifeye thread and windowed security thread with demetalized 20 RIALS. Watermark: Sultan and electrotype 20. Printer: (G&D). 167 x 76 mm. 1431 H / 2010 G. Signature 4. Intro: 22.11.2010.

Courtesy of Kai Hwong and Thomas Augustsson.

Gulf Cooperation Council agrees to single currency

According to a Gulf News article dated 16 December 2009, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) leaders concluded their annual two-day summit with an agreement to form a monetary union, paving the way for a single currency for Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia; Oman and the United Arab Emirates opted out. A monetary council is to be established in early 2010, and will transition into a central bank, which will eventually issue a single currency, though no timeline was announced.

Courtesy of Amirali Somji.

Six Arab states plan to issue unified currency in 2010

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), consisting of six Arab states — Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates — plans to issue a unified currency in 2010.