1 dinar 1960
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12 salesAbout This Note
This is a Kuwait Currency Board 1 Dinar note from 1960 (Pick-3), issued during the earliest period of Kuwait's monetary independence. The note features striking burgundy and multicolored design work with a portrait of Amir Sheikh Abdullah as-Salim as-Sabah on the obverse and an industrial port facility on the reverse, reflecting Kuwait's economic importance during the oil era. While the observed condition shows signs of age and circulation with creasing and foxing, it remains a historically significant early issue from Kuwait's numismatic heritage.
Common. While this is an early issue from Kuwait's monetary history, the 1 Dinar Pick-3 was produced in sufficient quantities for circulation. Market data from eBay sales shows consistent availability across multiple grades: VF examples selling for $43-67, EF examples for $63-81, and UNC examples for $430. The 2019 catalogue value of $175 for UNC reflects healthy but not exceptional demand. The note is neither scarce nor rare in any grade, with regular appearances in the market indicating adequate original print runs.
Issued by the Kuwait Currency Board in 1960-1961, this note commemorates Kuwait's transition to independent monetary control following the establishment of the state. The reverse depicts an industrial port facility with storage tanks and loading cranes, symbolizing Kuwait's critical role in petroleum industry operations and global trade during the mid-20th century oil boom. The selection of Amir Sheikh Abdullah as the portrait subject underscores the leadership and vision that guided Kuwait's economic development during this transformative period.
The obverse features Amir Sheikh Abdullah as-Salim as-Sabah shown in right profile, wearing traditional Arab headdress (white ghutra with black agal). The left side displays an elaborate floral and geometric medallion pattern in pink, green, orange, and cream tones, serving as an ornamental counterbalance to the portrait. Fine line engraving creates intricate scrollwork patterns throughout burgundy and gold borders with decorative flourishes at all four corners. The reverse depicts an industrial maritime facility representing Kuwait's economic base, featuring multiple loading cranes, cylindrical storage tanks, piping infrastructure, and bulk cargo materials rendered in burgundy and mauve monochromatic tones. The same ornate decorative border treatment appears on both sides, unified by baroque-influenced floral and geometric corner ornaments.
Front side: 'مجلس النقد الكويتي' (Kuwait Currency Board) in Arabic script at top; Serial number reference in Arabic numerals. Back side: 'Kuwait Currency Board' in English at top; 'One Dinar' in English at bottom; Denomination numeral '1' displayed. The note carries both Arabic and English inscriptions reflecting Kuwait's bilingual administrative practices of the period.
Intaglio (engraved) printing on multicolored underprint. The fine line engraving details visible throughout both obverse and reverse, particularly in the portrait work, medallion patterns, industrial scene, and ornamental borders, are characteristic of security printing by a specialist currency printer. The multicolor capabilities and precision of the underprint suggest production by a major international security printer, likely De La Rue or similar establishment printer active in 1960-1961, though specific printer attribution for this Pick number would require additional research.
This note is catalogued as Pick-3 in the standard reference, with known variants including P-31a* (1 Dinar alternate variety). The Law of 1960 issue was implemented in 1961 according to external references. The specific serial number visible in the image ('٩٤٩٢٨١') would need to be cross-referenced against known range data to determine if this specimen falls within a particular printing batch or variety subset, though no specific prefix varieties are documented in the provided PMG population data for this base Pick number.
