Before the formation of UAE and independence of other Gulf
states in 1971, Indian Rupee and Gulf Rupee were commonly used in this region.
In the early to mid 20th century, the Indian Rupee was extensively used as
currency in the countries of the Persian Gulf and Arabian Peninsula. To reduce
the strain put on India's foreign reserves by gold smuggling caused by this
external use of the rupee, a separate currency was created. The Gulf rupee was
introduced by the Indian government in 1959 as a replacement for the Indian
Rupee, for circulation exclusively outside the country. At the time, the Indian
Rupee was pegged to the British Pound at a rate of 13⅓ rupees = 1 pound. Two
states, Kuwait and Bahrain, replaced the Gulf Rupee with their own currencies
(the Kuwaiti Dinar and the Bahraini Dinar) after gaining independence from
Britain in 1961 and 1965, respectively. Kuwaiti Dinar was equal to 13⅓ Rupees
or 1 British Pound and Bahrani Dinar became equal to 10 Rupees or 0.75 British
Pound.
British
Protectorate: Government of Bahrain
Currency:
Dinar = 1000 fils.
1965 - AH 1385
KM#1
1 Fils. Year:
1965 - AH1385.
Weight: 1.50g.
Metal: Bronze.
Diameter:
15.00 mm. Edge:
Plain.
Alignment: Medal.
Mint: British Royal
Mint.
Obverse:
Government of Bahrain (above). Palm
tree in center circle. Date below.
Reverse:
Denomination
above Bahrain.
Mintage:
1,500,000
+ 12,000 Proof.
Minted Years:
1965-1966.
Ruler: Isa bin
Salman Al-Khalifah.
KM#2
5 Fils. Year:
1965 - AH1385.
Weight: 2.00g.
Metal: Bronze.
Diameter:
18.50 mm. Edge:
Plain.
Alignment: Medal.
Mint: British Royal
Mint.
Obverse:
Government of Bahrain (above). Palm
tree in center circle. Date below.
Reverse:
Denomination
above Bahrain.
Mintage: 8,000,000
+ 12,000 Proof.
Minted Years:
One year type.
Ruler: Isa bin
Salman Al-Khalifah.
KM#3
10 Fils. Year:
1965 - AH1385.
Weight: 4.75g.
Metal: Bronze.
Diameter:
23.50 mm. Edge:
Plain.
Alignment: Medal.
Mint: British Royal
Mint.
Obverse:
Government of Bahrain (above). Palm
tree in center circle. Date below.
Reverse:
Denomination
above Bahrain.
Mintage: 8,500,000
+ 12,000 Proof.
Minted Years:
One year type.
Ruler: Isa bin
Salman Al-Khalifah.
KM#4
25 Fils. Year:
1965 - AH1385.
Weight: 1.75g.
Metal:
Copper-Nickel. Diameter:
16.50 mm. Edge:
Reeded.
Alignment: Medal.
Mint: British Royal
Mint.
Obverse:
Government of Bahrain (above). Palm
tree in center circle. Date below.
Reverse:
Denomination
above Bahrain.
Mintage:
11,250,000
+ 12,000 Proof.
Minted Years:
One year type.
Ruler: Isa bin
Salman Al-Khalifah.
KM#5
50 Fils. Year:
1965 - AH1385.
Weight: 3.10g.
Metal:
Copper-Nickel. Diameter:
20.00 mm. Edge:
Reeded.
Alignment: Medal.
Mint: British Royal
Mint.
Obverse:
Government of Bahrain (above). Palm
tree in center circle. Date below.
Reverse:
Denomination
above Bahrain.
Mintage: 6,909,000
+ 12,000 Proof.
Minted Years:
One year type.
Ruler: Isa bin
Salman Al-Khalifah.
KM#6
100 Fils. Year:
1965 - AH1385.
Weight: 6.50g.
Metal:
Copper-Nickel. Diameter:
25.00 mm. Edge:
Reeded.
Alignment: Medal.
Mint: British Royal
Mint.
Obverse:
Government of Bahrain (above). Palm
tree in center circle. Date below.
Reverse:
Denomination
above Bahrain.
Mintage: 6,909,000
+ 12,000 Proof.
Minted Years:
One year type.
Ruler: Isa bin
Salman Al-Khalifah.
1966 - AH 1386
KM#1
1 Fils. Year:
1966 - AH1386.
Weight: 1.50g.
Metal: Bronze.
Diameter:
1.50 mm. Edge:
Plain.
Alignment: Medal.
Mint: British Royal
Mint.
Obverse:
Government of Bahrain (above). Palm
tree in center circle. Date below.
Reverse:
Denomination
above Bahrain.
Mintage:
1,500,000 + N/A Proof.
Minted Years:
1965-1966.
Ruler: Isa bin
Salman Al-Khalifah.
1968 - AH 1388
KM#8
500 Fils. Year:
1968 - AH1388.
Weight: 18.30g.
Metal: 0.800
silver. Diameter:
34.00 mm. Edge:
Reeded.
Alignment: Medal.
Mint: British Royal
Mint.
Obverse:
Isa Town (written above outer circle in
Arabic and below in English). Bahrain Coats and Arms in center
hexagon with dates on both sides.
Reverse:
Isa bin Salman portrait facing left.
Mintage:
50,000 + N/A Proof.
Minted Years:
One year type but 1983 dated coin has
been produced with 0.925 silver fineness.
Ruler: Isa bin
Salman Al-Khalifah.
1969 - AH 1389
KM#7
250 Fils. Year:
1969 - AH1389.
Weight: 15.00g.
Metal:
Copper-Nickel. Diameter:
32.00 mm. Edge:
Reeded.
Alignment: Medal.
Mint: British Royal
Mint.
Obverse:
Government of Bahrain (below). Palm
tree in front and Dory in the background. Dates on both sides.
Reverse:
FAO logo in
center. Denomination written on both Arabic and English below.
Mintage:
50,000 + N/A Proof. Minted Years:
1969 and 1983.
Ruler: Isa bin
Salman Al-Khalifah.
Coinage after
independence - Government of Bahrain
1983 - AH 1403
KM#7
250 Fils. Year:
1983 - AH1403.
Weight: 14.74g [15.00g].
Metal:
Copper-Nickel. Diameter:
32.00 mm. Edge:
Reeded.
Alignment: Medal.
Mint: British Royal
Mint.
Obverse:
Government of Bahrain (below). Palm
tree in front and Dory in the background. Dates on both sides.
Reverse:
FAO logo in
center. Denomination written on both Arabic and English below.
Mintage:
3,000. Minted Years:
1969 and 1983.
Ruler: Isa bin
Salman Al-Khalifah.
The below silver coin set were issued by
Bahrain Monetary Agency on 09th July 1984, minted by the Royal Mint in the
United Kingdom. This set was issued to celebrate the 10th anniversary of
Bahrain Monetary Agency 1973-1983. The certificate of authenticity has been
signed by Khalifa Bin Sulman Al-Khalifa, Chairman of the Board of Directors,
Bahrain Monetary Agency.
KM#1a
1 Fils. Year:
1983 - AH1403.
Weight: 1.50g.
Metal: 0.925
Silver. Diameter:
15.00 mm. Edge:
Plain.
Alignment: Medal.
Mint: British Royal
Mint.
Obverse:
Government of Bahrain (above). Palm
tree in center circle. Date below.
Reverse:
Denomination
above Bahrain.
Mintage:
15,000.
Minted Years:
One year type.
Ruler: Isa bin
Salman Al-Khalifah.
KM#2a
5 Fils. Year:
1983 - AH1403.
Weight: 2.00g.
Metal: 0.925
Silver. Diameter:
18.50 mm. Edge:
Plain.
Alignment: Medal.
Mint: British Royal
Mint.
Obverse:
Government of Bahrain (above). Palm
tree in center circle. Date below.
Reverse:
Denomination
above Bahrain.
Mintage:
15,000.
Minted Years:
One year type.
Ruler: Isa bin
Salman Al-Khalifah.
KM#3a
10 Fils. Year:
1983 - AH1403.
Weight: 4.75g.
Metal: 0.925
Silver. Diameter:
23.50 mm. Edge:
Plain.
Alignment: Medal.
Mint: British Royal
Mint.
Obverse:
Government of Bahrain (above). Palm
tree in center circle. Date below.
Reverse:
Denomination
above Bahrain.
Mintage:
15,000.
Minted Years:
One year type.
Ruler: Isa bin
Salman Al-Khalifah.
KM#4a
25 Fils. Year:
1983 - AH1403.
Weight: 1.75g.
Metal: 0.925
Silver. Diameter:
16.50 mm. Edge:
Reeded.
Alignment: Medal.
Mint: British Royal
Mint.
Obverse:
Government of Bahrain (above). Palm
tree in center circle. Date below.
Reverse:
Denomination
above Bahrain.
Mintage:
15,000.
Minted Years:
One year type.
Ruler: Isa bin
Salman Al-Khalifah.
KM#5a
50 Fils. Year:
1983 - AH1403.
Weight: 3.10g.
Metal: 0.925
Silver. Diameter:
20.00 mm. Edge:
Reeded.
Alignment: Medal.
Mint: British Royal
Mint.
Obverse:
Government of Bahrain (above). Palm
tree in center circle. Date below.
Reverse:
Denomination
above Bahrain.
Mintage:
15,000.
Minted Years:
One year type.
Ruler: Isa bin
Salman Al-Khalifah.
KM#6a
100 Fils. Year:
1983 - AH1403.
Weight: 6.50g.
Metal: 0.925
Silver. Diameter:
25.00 mm. Edge:
Reeded.
Alignment: Medal.
Mint: British Royal
Mint.
Obverse:
Government of Bahrain (above). Palm
tree in center circle. Date below.
Reverse:
Denomination
above Bahrain.
Mintage:
Mintage:
15,000.
Minted Years:
One year type.
Ruler: Isa bin
Salman Al-Khalifah.
KM#7a
250 Fils. Year:
1983 - AH1403.
Weight: 15.00g.
Metal: 0.925
Silver. Diameter:
32.00 mm. Edge:
Reeded.
Alignment: Medal.
Mint: British Royal
Mint.
Obverse:
Government of Bahrain (below). Palm
tree in front and Dory in the background. Dates on both sides.
Reverse:
FAO logo in
center. Denomination written on both Arabic and English below.
Mintage:
15,000. Minted Years:
One year type.
Ruler: Isa bin
Salman Al-Khalifah.
KM#8a
500 Fils. Year:
1983 - AH1403.
Weight: 18.063g.
Metal: 0.925
Silver. Diameter:
34.54 mm. Edge:
Reeded.
Alignment: Medal.
Mint: British Royal
Mint.
Obverse:
Isa Town (written above outer circle in
Arabic and below in English). Bahrain Coats and Arms in center
hexagon with dates on both sides.
Reverse:
Isa bin Salman portrait facing left.
Mintage:
15,000.
Minted Years:
One year type.
Ruler: Isa bin
Salman Al-Khalifah.
1986 - AH 1406
KM#13
5 Dinars. Year:
1986 - AH1406.
Weight: 19.44g.
Metal: 0.925
silver. Diameter:
36.00 mm. Edge:
Reeded.
Alignment: Medal.
Mint: British Royal
Mint.
Obverse:
Goitered Gazelle running left on bushes.
Reverse:
Isa bin Salman portrait facing left.
Mintage:
25,000.
Minted Years:
1969 and 1983.
Ruler: Isa bin
Salman Al-Khalifah. Subject:
Wildlife Fund.
1990 - AH 1410
KM#14
5 Dinars. Year:
1990 - AH1410.
Weight: 19.44g.
Metal: 0.925
silver. Diameter:
36.00 mm. Edge:
Reeded.
Alignment: Medal.
Mint: British Royal
Mint.
Obverse:
Children playing with ball.
Reverse:
Isa bin Salman portrait facing left.
Mintage:
20,000.
Minted Years:
1969 and 1983.
Ruler: Isa bin
Salman Al-Khalifah. Subject:
Save The Children.
State of Bahrain
Coinage
1992 - AH 1412
KM#16
5 Fils. Year:
1992 - AH1412.
Weight: 2.50g.
Metal: Brass.
Diameter:
19.00 mm. Edge:
Plain.
Alignment: Medal.
Mint: N/A.
Obverse:
State of Bahrain (above in Arabic and
below in English). Palm tree in center circle. Date on both sides
outside the circle.
Reverse:
Numeric denomination back of boxed denomination within circle, chain
border.
Mintage:
N/A.
Minted Years:
One year type.
Ruler: Isa bin
Salman Al-Khalifah.
KM#17
10 Fils. Year:
1992 - AH1412.
Weight: 3.35g.
Metal: Brass.
Diameter:
20.50 mm. Edge:
Plain.
Alignment: Medal.
Mint: N/A.
Obverse:
State of Bahrain (above in Arabic and
below in English). Palm tree in center circle. Date on both sides
outside the circle.
Reverse:
Numeric denomination back of boxed denomination within circle, chain
border.
Mintage:
N/A.
Minted Years:
1992 and 2000.
Ruler: Isa bin
Salman Al-Khalifah.
KM#18
25 Fils. Year:
1992 - AH1412.
Weight: 3.50g.
Metal:
Copper-Nickel. Diameter:
19.50 mm. Edge:
Reeded.
Alignment: Medal.
Mint: N/A.
Obverse:
State of Bahrain (above in Arabic and
below in English). Ancient drawing in center circle. Date on both
sides outside the circle.
Reverse:
Numeric denomination back of boxed denomination within circle, chain
border.
Mintage:
N/A.
Minted Years:
1992 and 2000.
Ruler: Isa bin
Salman Al-Khalifah.
KM#19
50 Fils. Year:
1992 - AH1412.
Weight: 4.50g.
Metal:
Copper-Nickel. Diameter:
21.50 mm. Edge:
Reeded.
Alignment: Medal.
Mint: N/A.
Obverse:
State of Bahrain (above in Arabic and
below in English). Abstract Sailboat in center circle. Date on both
sides outside the circle.
Reverse:
Numeric denomination back of boxed denomination within circle, chain
border.
Mintage:
N/A.
Minted Years:
1992 and 2000.
Ruler: Isa bin
Salman Al-Khalifah.
KM#20
100 Fils. Year:
1992 - AH1412.
Weight: 6.00g.
Metal:
Bi-Metallic; Copper-Nickel in center and Brass ring. Diameter:
24.00 mm. Edge:
Reeded.
Alignment: Medal.
Mint: N/A.
Obverse:
State of Bahrain (above in Arabic and
below in English). Bahrain's Coats and Arms. Date on both
sides outside the circle.
Reverse:
Numeric denomination back of boxed denomination within circle, chain
border.
Mintage:
N/A.
Minted Years:
1992, 1995, 1997 and 2000.
Ruler: Isa bin
Salman Al-Khalifah.
1995 - AH 1415
KM#20
100 Fils. Year:
1995 - AH1415.
Weight: 6.00g.
Metal:
Bi-Metallic; Copper-Nickel in center and Brass ring. Diameter:
24.00 mm. Edge:
Reeded.
Alignment: Medal.
Mint: N/A.
Obverse:
State of Bahrain (above in Arabic and
below in English). Bahrain's Coats and Arms. Date on both
sides outside the circle.
Reverse:
Numeric denomination back of boxed denomination within circle, chain
border.
Mintage:
N/A.
Minted Years:
1992, 1995, 1997 and 2000.
Ruler: Isa bin
Salman Al-Khalifah.
1997 - AH 1417
KM#20
100 Fils. Year:
1997 - AH1417.
Weight: 6.00g.
Metal:
Bi-Metallic; Copper-Nickel in center and Brass ring. Diameter:
24.00 mm. Edge:
Reeded.
Alignment: Medal.
Mint: N/A.
Obverse:
State of Bahrain (above in Arabic and
below in English). Bahrain's Coats and Arms. Date on both
sides outside the circle.
Reverse:
Numeric denomination back of boxed denomination within circle, chain
border.
Mintage:
N/A.
Minted Years:
1992, 1995, 1997 and 2000.
Ruler: Isa bin
Salman Al-Khalifah.
Earlier coinage of British India used:
East India Company
(inc. William IV and Victoria)16 Aug 1765 -
30 Sep 1858
Victoria.........................................01
Nov 1858 - 22 Jan 1901
Edward VII.......................................22
Jan 1901 - 06 May 1910
George V.........................................06
May 1910 - 20 Jan 1936
George VI........................................12
Dec 1936 - 15 Aug 1947
Bahrain Coinage:
1965-1997:
Isa II ibn Sulman Al-Khalifah. (current page)
