United Arab Emirates

United Arab Emirates new 100-dirham commemorative note (B252a) reported

According to a press release dated 28 November 2018, as part of the 47th National Day of the UAE celebrations, the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates has introduced a 100-dirham note commemorating the life of the UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan.



Courtesy of Claudio Marana.

United Arab Emirates new 100-dirham note (B248a) confirmed introduced 30.10.2018

According to an article in The National dated 28 October 2018 and a bank press release, the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates intends to introduce a new 100-dirham note with improved anti-counterfeiting features on 30 October 2018, including a new green-to-blue SPARK Live feature at lower left front and a green-to-blue windowed Galaxy security thread. Furthermore, the denomination has been removed from lower right front, as has the silver foil stamp from upper right front. The notes are printed at the UAE’s first banknote printing plant in the Khalifa Industrial Zone in Abu Dhabi.



Courtesy of Amirali Somji.

United Arab Emirate new date (2017) 500-dirham note (B242b) confirmed

United_Arab_Emirates_CBA_500_dirhams_2017.00.00_B242b_P32_005_190448_f
United_Arab_Emirates_CBA_500_dirhams_2017.00.00_B242b_P32_005_190448_r
Like B242a, but new date ١٤٣٨ (AH1438)/2017. Prefix 005.

Courtesy of Claudio Marana.

United Arab Emirates new date (2017) 200-dirham note (B241b) confirmed

United_Arab_Emirates_CBA_200_dirhams_2017.00.00_B241b_P31c_009_309861_fUnited_Arab_Emirates_CBA_200_dirhams_2017.00.00_B241b_P31c_009_309861_r
Like B241a, but new date (2017). Prefix 009.

Courtesy of Radoslaw Dlouhy.

United Arab Emirates new date (2016) 50-dirham note (B239b) confirmed

United_Arab_Emirates_CBA_50_dirhams_2016.00.00_B239b_P29_009_063786_f
United_Arab_Emirates_CBA_50_dirhams_2016.00.00_B239b_P29_009_063786_r
Like B239a, but new date (١٤٣٨)/2016. Prefix 009.

Courtesy of Shibu Paul (www.ebanknoteshop.com).

United Arab Emirates opens new banknote printing facility

The National has an excellent series of photos showing the opening of a new banknote printing plant in the United Arab Emirates.

United Arab Emirates new 200-dirham note (B241a) confirmed

According to an article in The Gulf Today dated 6 March 2013, the United Arab Emirates Central Bank intends to introduce a new 200-dirham note (B241a) with enhanced security features (OVI coat of arms and 3-mm wide, color-shifting windowed security thread with demetalized UAE 200) as well as tactile bars at the edges to assist the sight impaired.

United_Arab_Emirates_CBA_200_dirhams_2015.00.00_B241a_PNL_004_196223_f
United_Arab_Emirates_CBA_200_dirhams_2015.00.00_B241a_PNL_004_196223_r
B241 (PNL): 200 dirhams (US$54)
Tan and gold. Front: Saker falcon head as registration device; OVI coat of arms; Sheikh Zayed Sports City and Judicial Department and Sharia Court buildings in Abu Dhabi. Back: Saker falcon; UAE Central Bank headquarters building in Abu Dhabi; Saker falcon head. Holographic stripe with denomination. 3-mm wide, color-shifting windowed security thread with demetalized UAE 200. Watermark: Saker falcon head with electrotype 200 and coffee pot. Printer: Unknown. 159 x 68 mm. a. 2015 and ١٤٣٦ (AH1436). Sig 4. Prefix 004. Intro: 07.03.2016.

Courtesy of Ludek Vostal.

United Arab Emirates new 20-dirham note (B238a) confirmed

United_Arab_Emirates_CBA_20_dirhams_2015.00.00_B238a_PNL_050_435801_fUnited_Arab_Emirates_CBA_20_dirhams_2015.00.00_B238a_PNL_050_435801_r
B238 (PNL): 20 dirhams (US$5.45)
Blue. Front: Coat of arms; Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club building. Back: Saker falcon; dhow with sail. Windowed security thread with demetalized UAE 20. Watermark: Saker falcon head with electrotype 20 and coffee pot. Printer: Unknown. 150 x 63 mm. a. 2015 and ١٤٣٦ (AH1436). Sig 4. Prefix 050.

Courtesy of Claudio Marana.

United Arab Emirates new 1,000-dirham note (B243a) confirmed

United_Arab_Emirates_CBA_1000_dirhams_2015.00.00_B243a_PNL_052_869645_fUnited_Arab_Emirates_CBA_1000_dirhams_2015.00.00_B243a_PNL_052_869645_r
B243 (PNL): 1,000 dirhams (US$272)
Brown. Front: Saker falcon head as registration device; OVI coat of arms; Al Hosn Palace (White Fort) in Abu Dhabi. Back: Saker falcon; Abu Dhabi skyline with Corniche; Saker falcon head. Holographic stripe with denomination. 3-mm wide windowed security thread with demetalized UAE 1000. Watermark: Saker falcon head with electrotype 1000 and coffee pot. Printer: Unknown. 163 x 70 mm.
a. 2015 and ١٤٣٦ (AH1436). Sig 4. Prefix 052.

Courtesy of Naeem Ahsan Jamil.


United Arab Emirates new 10-dirham note (B237a) confirmed

United_Arab_Emirates_CBA_10_dirhams_2015.00.00_B237a_PNL_165_469502_fUnited_Arab_Emirates_CBA_10_dirhams_2015.00.00_B237a_PNL_165_469502_r
B237 (P27d): 10 dirhams (US$2.70)
Green. Front: Coat of arms; traditional dagger (khanjar). Back: Saker falcon; agricultural scene with date palm trees. Solid security thread with demetalized UAE 10. Watermark: Saker falcon head with electrotype 10 and coffee pot. Printer: Unknown. 147 x 62 mm.
a. 2015 and ١٤٣٦ (AH1436). Sig 4. Prefix 165.

Courtesy of Claudio Marana.

United Arab Emirates new 500-dirham note (B242a) confirmed

United_Arab_Emirates_CBA_500_dirhams_2015.00.00_B242a_PNL_061_333144_fUnited_Arab_Emirates_CBA_500_dirhams_2015.00.00_B242a_PNL_061_333144_r
B242a
500 dirhams, 2015 and ١٤٣٦ (AH1436). Like B232, but with tactile printing at left/right center front for the visually impaired.

Courtesy of Nin Cheun (Noteshobby).

United Arab Emirates new 5-dirham note (B236a) confirmed

United_Arab_Emirates_CBA_5_dirhams_2015.00.00_B236a_PNL_151_121324_f
United_Arab_Emirates_CBA_5_dirhams_2015.00.00_B236a_PNL_151_121324_r
B236a
5 dirhams, 2015 and ١٤٣٦ (AH1436). Like B226, but with tactile printing at left/right center front for the visually impaired.

Courtesy of Nin Cheun (Noteshobby).

United Arab Emirates new 5- and 500-dirham notes to be introduced 08.07.2015

According to an article on GulfNews.com dated 7 July 2015, on 8 July the Central Bank of the UAE will introduce 5- and 500-dirham notes with tactile marks (not Braille) so that they will be readable by the visually impaired, just like the 50- and 100-dirham notes introduced on 9 March.

United Arab Emirates new 50-dirham note (B239a) confirmed

United_Arab_Emirates_CBA_50_dirhams_2014.00.00_B36a_PNL_001_068036_f
United_Arab_Emirates_CBA_50_dirhams_2014.00.00_B36a_PNL_001_068036_r
B239 (P29e): 50 dirhams (US$14)
Purple. Front: Arabic text; OVI coat of arms; oryx (antelope) head with silver foil stamp. Back: English text; Saker falcon; Fort Jahili at Al Ain. 3-mm wide, color-shifting windowed security thread with demetalized UAE 50. Watermark: Saker falcon head with electrotype 50 and coffee pot. Printer: (Unknown). 151 x 64 mm. a. ١٤٣٦ (AH1436)/2014. Sig. 4. Prefix 000 - 018.

Courtesy of Thomas Augustsson.

United Arab Emirates new 100-dirham note (B240a) confirmed

United_Arab_Emirates_CBA_100_dirhams_2014.00.00_B37a_PNL_167_671036_f
B240 (P30f): 100 dirhams (US$27)
Red. Front: Arabic text; OVI coat of arms; Fahidi Fort in Dubai with silver foil stamp of castle tower. Back: English text; Saker falcon; Trade Centre Tower in Dubai. 3-mm wide windowed security thread with demetalized UAE 100. Watermark: Saker falcon head with electrotype 100 and coffee pot. Printer: (Unknown). 155 x 66 mm. a. ١٤٣٦ (AH1436)/2014. Sig. 4. Prefix 167 - 249.

Courtesy of Claudio Marana.

United Arab Emirates new 50- and 100-dirham notes to be introduced 09.03.2015

According to an article on ArabianBusiness.com dated 7 March 2014, on Monday 9 March the Central Bank of the UAE will introduce 50- and 100-dirham notes with tactile marks (not Braille) so that they will be readable by the visually impaired.

United Arab Emirates instructed to reprint notes with Braille characters

According to a GulfNews.com article dated 12 July 2014, the board of directors of the Central Bank of the UAE recently instructed that necessary actions be taken to reprint all denominations of banknotes using Braille characters so that they will be readable by the visually impaired.

Courtesy of Amirali Somji.

United Arab Emirates new sig/date (2013) 10-dirham note (B227b) confirmed

United_Arab_Emirates_CBA_10_dirhams_2013.00.00_B227b_P27b_091_319221_fUnited_Arab_Emirates_CBA_10_dirhams_2013.00.00_B227b_P27b_091_319221_r
Like B227a, but new date (١٤٣٤/2013) and signatures (Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid al Maktoum and Khalifa al-Kindi). Also, the serial number at left is now vertical, not horizontal.

Courtesy of Claudio Marana.

United Arab Emirates new sig/date (2013) 5-dirham note (B226b) confirmed

United_Arab_Emirates_CBA_5_dirhams_2013.00.00_B226b_P26b_094_960401_fUnited_Arab_Emirates_CBA_5_dirhams_2013.00.00_B226b_P26b_094_960401_r
Like B226a, but new date (١٤٣٤/2013) and signatures (Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid al Maktoum and Khalifa al-Kindi). Also, the serial number at left is now vertical, not horizontal.

Courtesy of The Monetary Unit.

United Arab Emirates new sig/date (2013) 20-dirham note (B228b) confirmed

United_Arab_Emirates_CBA_20_dirhams_2013.00.00_B228b_P28b_024_501510_fUnited_Arab_Emirates_CBA_20_dirhams_2013.00.00_B228b_P28b_024_501510_r
Like B228a, but new date (١٤٣٤/2013) and signatures (Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid al Maktoum and Khalifa al-Kindi).

Courtesy of The Monetary Unit.

United Arab Emirates new 100- and 1,000-dirham notes (B229a, B231a) confirmed

United_Arab_Emirates_CBA_100_dirhams_2012.00.00_B34a_PNL_115160683_fUnited_Arab_Emirates_CBA_100_dirhams_2012.00.00_B34a_PNL_115160683_rUnited_Arab_Emirates_CBA_1000_dirhams_2012.00.00_B35a_PNL_026033053_fUnited_Arab_Emirates_CBA_1000_dirhams_2012.00.00_B35a_PNL_026033053_r
According to a press release dated 28 January 2013, on 2 February the Central Bank of The United Arab Emirates issued new 100- and 1,000-dirhams banknotes like the existing notes (B229a and B231a, respectively), but with a 3-mm wide, magenta-to-gold color-shifting windowed security thread and green-to-blue OVI coat of arms.

Courtesy of Raihan and Nazir Rahemtulla and Dr. Saleh A. Al-Ali.

United Arab Emirates new 50-dirham note (B233a) confirmed

United_Arab_Emirates_CBA_50_dirhams_2011.00.00_B233a_P29d_061_133335_fUnited_Arab_Emirates_CBA_50_dirhams_2011.00.00_B233a_P29d_061_133335_r
According to a press release from the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates, on 23 July 2012 the bank issued an "amended" 50-dirham (US$14) note which is like the preceding issue (B221), but with a new 3-mm wide, color-shifting windowed security thread with demetalized UAE 50, Omron rings added to front and back, and it bears the new coat of arms which was adopted on 22 March 2008.

Courtesy of Amirali Somji and Phil Martin.

United Arab Emirates new 500-dirham note (B232a) confirmed

United_Arab_Emirates_CBA_500_dirhams_2011.00.00_B232a_P32c_131_000087_fUnited_Arab_Emirates_CBA_500_dirhams_2011.00.00_B232a_P32c_131_000087_r
According to an article on Khaleej Times, on 29 November 2011, the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates introduced a revised 500-dirham (US$136) note with new security features.

The new notes are like the preceding issues (B224), but the holographic stripe at right front has been replaced by G&D’s varifeye thread with see-through window. Extending throughout the window is an optically-variable stripe showing the National Emblem, a falcon head and denomination value. The old windowed metallic thread on the back of the note is replaced with a broader 3-mm wide color-shifting window thread with demetalized UAE 500. The metallic ink surrounding the UAE emblem on the top portion of the obverse side is replaced by multicolor ink print. The metallic silver ink at the bottom left of the banknote is replaced by a multicolor latent image. The falcon on the reverse side of the note is made smaller, and there is no intaglio printing on the reverse side of the banknote.

Courtesy of Abdullah Beydoun and Claudio Marana.

United Arab Emirates chapter of The Banknote Book is now available


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

This 15-page catalog covers notes issued by the United Arab Emirates Currency Board from 1973 to 1976, and the United Arab Emirates Central Bank from 1982 to present. Revised 4 April 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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If you collect the entire world or a large number of countries, buying a subscription is the best deal because it's less expensive than buying chapters individually, and it entitles you to every chapter currently available as well as everything published—or revised (click here to see the Change Log)—during the term of your subscription.

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United Arab Emirates collector's article

I recommend reading this interesting article, UAE currency: a history lesson in your wallet, in the 27 June 2011 edition of The National.

United Arab Emirates new 5-dirham note (B226a) confirmed

United_Arab_Emirates_CBA_5_dirhams_2009.00.00_B226a_P26a_016_952601_fUnited_Arab_Emirates_CBA_5_dirhams_2009.00.00_B226a_P26a_016_952601_r
B226 (P26): 5 dirhams (US$1.35)
Brown. Front: Arabic text; coat of arms; Blue Souk in Sharjah. Back: English text; Saker falcon; Bay of Khorfakkan in Fujairah; tower. Solid security thread with demetalized UAE 5. Watermark: Saker falcon head. Printer: (Unknown). 143 x 60 mm. a. ١٤٣٠ (AH1430)/2009. Sig. 3. Horizontal left s/n. Prefix 000 - 090.

Courtesy of Ricardo Castedo.

United Arab Emirates new 20-dirham note (B228a) confirmed

United_Arab_Emirates_CBA_20_dirhams_2009.00.00_B228a_P28c_001_780801_fUnited_Arab_Emirates_CBA_20_dirhams_2009.00.00_B228a_P28c_001_780801_r
20 dirhams (US$5.40), 2009. Like B216c, but new date, new signatures, and new coat of arms.

Courtesy of Amirali Somji.

United Arab Emirates new 200-dirham note (B230a) confirmed

United_Arab_Emirates_CBA_200_dirhams_2008.00.00_B230a_P31b_002_000501_fUnited_Arab_Emirates_CBA_200_dirhams_2008.00.00_B230a_P31b_002_000501_r
B230 (P31): 200 dirhams (US$54)
Tan and gold. Front: Arabic text; Saker falcon head as registration device; coat of arms; Sheikh Zayed Sports City and Judicial Department and Sharia Court buildings in Abu Dhabi. Back: English text; Saker falcon; UAE Central Bank headquarters building in Abu Dhabi; Saker falcon head. Holographic stripe with denomination. Windowed security thread. Watermark: Saker falcon head with electrotype 200 and coffee pot. Printer: (Unknown). 159 x 68 mm. a. ١٤٢٩ (AH1429)/2008. Sig. 3. Prefix 000 - 038.

Courtesy of Amirali Somji.

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.

United Arab Emirates building new banknote plant

According to a GulfNew.com article dated 13.12.2009, the Central Bank of the UAE has announced it has begun building a security press to print banknotes. The plant is being built on a plot of land near the Central Bank building complex in Abu Dhabi. The plant will print all denominations of UAE dinar notes and will have excess capacity for future expansion and printing of notes for other countries in the region.

United Arab Emirates new 1,000-dirham note (B231a) confirmed

United_Arab_Emirates_CBA_1000_dirhams_2008.00.00_B231a_P33b_001_597836_fUnited_Arab_Emirates_CBA_1000_dirhams_2008.00.00_B231a_P33b_001_597836_r
B231 (P33): 1,000 dirhams (US$272)
Brown. Front: Arabic text; Saker falcon head as registration device; coat of arms; Al Hosn Palace (White Fort) in Abu Dhabi. Back: English text; Saker falcon; Abu Dhabi skyline with Corniche; Saker falcon head. Holographic stripe with denomination. Windowed security thread with demetalized UAE 1000. Watermark: Saker falcon head with electrotype 1000 and coffee pot. Printer: (Unknown). 163 x 70 mm. a. ١٤٢٩ (AH1429)/2008. Sig. 3. Prefix 000 - 024.

Courtesy of David Murcek.

United Arab Emirates new date (2008) 500-dirham note (B224c) confirmed

United_Arab_Emirates_CBA_500_dirhams_2008.00.00_B224c_P32b_512_519461_fUnited_Arab_Emirates_CBA_500_dirhams_2008.00.00_B224c_P32b_512_519461_r
Like B224b, but new date (١٤٢٩/2008). Prefix 512 - 862.

Courtesy of Sejin Ahn and Ricardo Castedo.

United Arab Emirates new date (2008) 100-dirham note (B229a) confirmed

United_Arab_Emirates_CBA_100_dirhams_2008.00.00_B229a_P30d_006_444060_fUnited_Arab_Emirates_CBA_100_dirhams_2008.00.00_B229a_P30d_006_444060_r
B229 (P30d): 100 dirhams (US$27)
Red. Front: Arabic text; coat of arms; Fahidi Fort in Dubai with silver foil stamp of castle tower. Back: English text; Saker falcon; Trade Centre Tower in Dubai. Windowed security thread with demetalized UAE 100. Watermark: Saker falcon head with electrotype 100 and coffee pot. Printer: (Unknown). 155 x 66 mm. a. ١٤٢٩ (AH1429)/2008. Sig. 3. Prefix 000 - 083.

Courtesy of Peter Symes.

United Arab Emirates new date (2008) 50-dirham note (B221c) confirmed

United_Arab_Emirates_CBA_50_dirhams_2008.00.00_B221c_P29c_204_441933_fUnited_Arab_Emirates_CBA_50_dirhams_2008.00.00_B221c_P29c_204_441933_r
Like B221b, but new date (١٤٢٩/2008). Prefix 204 - 364.

Courtesy of Michael Reissner.

United Arab Emirates new date (2007) 20-dirham note (B216c) confirmed

United_Arab_Emirates_CBA_20_dirhams_2007.00.00_B216c_P21c_207_026371_fUnited_Arab_Emirates_CBA_20_dirhams_2007.00.00_B216c_P21c_207_026371_r
Like B216b, but new date (2007) and watermark Saker falcon head with electrotype 20 and coffee pot. Prefix 197 - 327..

Courtesy of Rafal Nogowczyk.

United Arab Emirates new date (2007) notes (B214c, B215c) confirmed

United_Arab_Emirates_CBA_5_dirhams_2004.00.00_B214c_P19c_086_960017_fUnited_Arab_Emirates_CBA_5_dirhams_2004.00.00_B214c_P19c_086_960017_r
5 dirhams (US$1.35), 2007. Like B214b, but new date.

United_Arab_Emirates_CBA_10_dirhams_2004.00.00_B215c_P20c_105_786415_fUnited_Arab_Emirates_CBA_10_dirhams_2004.00.00_B215c_P20c_105_786415_r
10 dirhams (US$2.70), 2007. Like B215b, but new date.

Courtesy of David Murcek.

United Arab Emirates new 200-dirham note (B223a) confirmed

United_Arab_Emirates_CBA_200_dirhams_2004.00.00_B223a_P31_038_039102_fUnited_Arab_Emirates_CBA_200_dirhams_2004.00.00_B223a_P31_038_039102_r
B223 (P31): 200 dirhams (US$54)
Tan and gold. Front: Arabic text; coat of arms; Sheikh Zayed Sports City and Judicial Department and Sharia Court buildings in Abu Dhabi. Back: English text; Saker falcon; UAE Central Bank headquarters building in Abu Dhabi. Holographic stripe with denomination. Windowed security thread. Watermark: Saker falcon head with electrotype 200 and coffee pot. Printer: (Unknown). 159 x 68 mm. a. ١٤٢٥ (AH1425)/2004. Sig. 2. Prefix 008 - 088. Intro: 27.05.2008.

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.

United Arab Emirates issues new date (2006) notes


The United Arab Emirates Central Bank has issued new 2006 dates for all four denominations of its banknote family.

The 50- and 100-dirham notes appear to be unchanged from the current Pick 26 and 27, respectively, except for the new dates on the back.

The 500- and 1,000-dirham notes are like Pick 28 and 25, respectively, but in addition to the new dates, they also now incorporate the denomination in the holographic security stripe at right.

Courtesy of Amal Mehilba.

United Arab Emirates new date (2017) 5-dirham note (B236b) confirmed

United_Arab_Emirates_CBA_5_dirhams_2017.00.00_B236b_P26_005_541723_fUnited_Arab_Emirates_CBA_5_dirhams_2017.00.00_B236b_P26_005_541723_r
Like B236a, but new date (2017). Prefix 005.

Courtesy of Алексей Маслов (https://shopofmoney.com/en/).