1 dinar 1968
Market Prices
54 salesAbout This Note
This is Kuwait's iconic first 1 Dinar note from 1968, depicting Sheikh Sabah Ibn Salim al-Sabah in traditional Arab dress on the obverse and an industrial oil refinery complex on the reverse. The note exhibits moderate circulation wear with visible creases, fold marks, and handling marks on the front, though the reverse remains relatively clean, suggesting it saw active use. Despite catalog indication of UNC condition, the visual evidence shows this note displays honest wear inconsistent with uncirculated grades, making it a historically significant example of Kuwait's early monetary independence.
Common. Despite its historical significance as Kuwait's foundational currency issue, the 1968 1 Dinar (P-8) remains common in the numismatic market. eBay historical data shows consistent sales across all condition grades from F to UNC, with UNC examples fetching $45-237 historically but VF examples routinely selling for $9-20. The note's large original print run and continued availability in circulation ensure ready supply. Only professionally graded specimens (PMG 66+) command premiums exceeding $100, but raw examples in typical grades remain affordable and accessible to collectors.
Issued in 1968 following Kuwait's independence in 1961, this note represents the newly sovereign nation's assertion of monetary autonomy through the establishment of the Central Bank of Kuwait. The prominence of Sheikh Sabah al-Sabah, a key architect of Kuwait's modern state, reflects his central role in the nation's political leadership during this formative period. The reverse's depiction of oil refinery infrastructure underscores Kuwait's economic foundation and the strategic importance of petroleum to the young nation's development and regional standing.
The obverse features a dignified three-quarter portrait of Sheikh Sabah Ibn Salim al-Sabah positioned on the right side, rendered in fine-line engraving showing him wearing traditional Arab dress—white ghutra headdress with dark agal headband. The surrounding design is richly ornamental with purple, pink, orange, and green decorative borders incorporating floral medallions in all four corners and intricate arabesque geometric patterns typical of Islamic artistic traditions. The reverse depicts a modern industrial landscape dominated by tall oil refinery structures with distinctive vertical architectural lines rendered in brown and tan tones, framed by matching ornate borders with corner medallions. Both sides employ sophisticated security engraving with fine hatching, cross-hatching, and overlapping design elements.
Front side: دولة الكويت (State of Kuwait), دينار واحد (One Dinar), البنك المركزي (Central Bank), الجمهورية العراقية (Iraqi Republic), حافظ الشرقي (Governor signature area), 1968 (numerals), سنة 1387 (Year 1387 in Hijri calendar). Back side: Central Bank of Kuwait (English), One Dinar (English). Note: The presence of 'Iraqi Republic' text on the obverse reflects the historical regional context of 1968.
Intaglio engraving (traditional letterpress/line engraving method) executed with exceptional fineness. The security printer for this series is not definitively identifiable from the visual evidence alone, though Kuwaiti notes of this period were typically produced by British security printers such as De La Rue or Bradbury Wilkinson. The complex fine-line work, intricate borders, and multi-color overlaid engraving are characteristic of mid-20th century government security printing standards.
PMG catalogs three varieties for Pick-8: P-8a (base variety), P-8cts (Specimen with security punch), and P-8s (Specimen overprint). The observed note appears consistent with P-8a standard issue based on the absence of specimen markings or security features visible in the images. No serial number or signature variations are distinctly identifiable from the visual analysis provided. The note's specific variety designation would require examination of serial number prefixes and security printer marks not fully legible in the current imagery.
