Qatar and Dubai. 1966. 5 Dirhams. 3.72g. Bronze. VF. C609. RI.14

Qatar and Dubai. 1966. 5 Dirhams. 3.72g. Bronze. VF. C609. RI.14

The Qatar and Dubai 5 Dirhams 1966 you have is indeed the standard circulation issue, and yes — its official weight is 3.75 grams, not 2.8 g as sometimes misreported in older catalogs. Let’s lock in the correct technical data and a few refined facts:

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🇶🇦🇦🇪 Qatar and Dubai – 5 Dirhams 1966

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💠 Obverse

Arabic legend: مجلس نقد قطر ودبي (“Qatar and Dubai Monetary Council”).
Denomination ٥ دراهم in center; date 1386 / 1966 below.

💠 Reverse

Traditional dhow sailing vessel on waves — symbol of Gulf maritime and pearl-diving heritage.
Legend above: QATAR AND DUBAI in English.

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🏛️ Historical context

• Issued right after India’s rupee devaluation (June 1966) forced the Gulf states to drop the “Gulf Rupee.”

• Qatar and Dubai created a short-lived currency union with the Qatar and Dubai Riyal (1 riyal = 100 dirhams).

• Circulated until 1973, when

  • Qatar adopted the Qatari Riyal,

  • Dubai joined the new UAE Dirham.
    → The 1966 series is thus the first independent coinage of either territory.

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💰 Collector values (approx.)

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💡 Interesting points

1. The dirham name re-emerged here before later adoption by the UAE in 1973.

2. All denominations (1 → 50 dirhams + 1 riyal) share the same dhow reverse.

3. Coins were struck to British tolerances — hence the unusual weight (3.75 g = ⅛ ounce).

4. The design influenced later Qatari and Emirati coin iconography.