5 riyals 1960
About This Note
This is a Qatar & Dubai Currency Board 5 Riyals note from 1960 (Pick-2), presented in UNC condition with excellent eye appeal. The note features a striking purple and cream color scheme with an oil derrick vignette on the obverse—a fitting symbol of the region's petroleum wealth during this formative period. The reverse displays an ornate central denomination cartouche with elaborate guilloché borders, characteristic of high-quality security printing from this era.
Common. The Qatar & Dubai Currency Board operated from 1960-1966 and issued these notes in substantial quantities before being superseded by the Qatar Monetary Agency (1966). Pick-2 represents the early, foundational issue of this authority. No evidence of low print runs, special recall circumstances, or scarcity in the PMG population data (which shows multiple varieties catalogued). UNC examples, while always desirable, remain obtainable in the collector market and do not command premium prices typical of rare notes.
Issued during the early years of Qatar and Dubai's monetary autonomy, this note reflects the region's rapid economic transformation driven by oil discovery and export. The prominent oil derrick imagery on the obverse directly references the petroleum industry that was reshaping the Gulf economies in the 1960s. The Qatar & Dubai Currency Board operated during a unique period of shared currency administration before each emirate developed independent monetary institutions.
The obverse features a vignette of an oil derrick with palm trees positioned above a shoreline, rendered in purple tones—symbolizing Qatar and Dubai's petroleum-based economy. An ornate circular portrait frame in cream/beige occupies the right side, designed with a lattice pattern suitable for watermark inclusion. The reverse displays a large ornamental '5' numeral within a decorative shield or quatrefoil frame, flanked by wing motifs and surrounded by elaborate scrollwork and floral palmette designs in the corners. The overall design demonstrates the classical engraved style typical of Commonwealth security printers of the period.
Front side: Arabic text 'دولة قطر ودبي' (Dawlat Qatar wa-Dubai / State of Qatar and Dubai) appears at top; Arabic numerals include '٥' (Five) for denomination and serial number sequences. Back side: English text 'QATAR & DUBAI CURRENCY BOARD' at top; 'FIVE' and 'RIYALS' flanking the central numeral '5'.
Intaglio engraving (recess printing), evidenced by the fine guilloché patterns, intricate line work throughout the borders, and the detailed depth characteristic of security printing. The elaborate scrollwork, floral motifs, and geometric patterns show the hallmarks of hand-engraved security plates. No printer attribution is definitively established from the visible analysis, though the design quality and style are consistent with major Commonwealth security printers such as Bradbury, Wilkinson or De La Rue who worked on Gulf currency issues during this period.
This note exhibits characteristics consistent with Pick-2 (the base 1960 issue). The PMG population data indicates several catalogued varieties for this Pick number including P-2a, P-2cts, and P-2s (specimen). Based on the visual analysis showing clear signatures/markings in the central area and overall presentation, this appears to be a standard circulation issue rather than a specimen or special variety. Serial number placement and inscription style are consistent with the original Qatar & Dubai Currency Board emissions.
