5 riyals 1960

Uncommon. The Qatar & Dubai Currency Board's notes from 1960-1966 were produced in limited quantities for a small, geographically restricted population. This particular Pick-2 variety in PMG 65 EPQ condition is scarcer than later Qatar Monetary Agency emissions, as the unified currency period was brief and many notes have not survived in gem condition. However, it is not rare enough to command extreme premiums, placing it in the 'uncommon' to 'scarce' range for serious collectors of early Gulf currency.

This note was issued during the brief period when Qatar and Dubai shared a unified currency board (1960-1966), before the Emirates' monetary independence. The design elements—the traditional dhow, lighthouse, and palm tree—reflect the maritime heritage and economic foundations of these Gulf states during the early post-oil discovery era. The prominence of Arabic script alongside English inscriptions demonstrates the bilingual administrative character of the Qatar & Dubai Currency Board during this transitional period in Gulf economic history.

The obverse features a horizontally-oriented design dominated by a circular vignette on the left depicting a traditional Arabian dhow under sail with a prominent lighthouse and palm tree, rendered in green and light tones against the purple background. A large empty circular space on the right suggests a reserved area, possibly for a portrait or emblem. The reverse displays elaborate geometric and floral ornamentation centered on a large ornate rosette or mandala-like circular pattern in rust and brown tones, with the denomination prominently featured in a shield-shaped cartouche. Both sides are framed by intricate decorative borders with the numeral 5 in circles at each corner. The overall design reflects Ottoman-influenced geometric ornamentation typical of early Gulf currency designs.

Front side: 'خليج قطر' (Qatar Gulf) in Arabic at top center; denomination '5' in numerical form at each corner. Back side: 'QATAR & DUBAI CURRENCY BOARD' in English across the top; '5 RIYALS' in English within the central shield-shaped cartouche; denomination '5' repeated in corner circles.

Intaglio/engraved printing, characterized by the deeply incised guilloche patterns, fine line work throughout, and complex rosette engraving visible on the reverse. The sophisticated security features including watermark areas and intricate geometric patterning indicate production by a specialized security printer, likely a major British or European banknote printer active in the 1960 period.

This note corresponds to Pick-2, the earliest 5 Riyals emission from the Qatar & Dubai Currency Board (1960). The visual analysis confirms the characteristic purple/mauve color scheme and dhow design of this first series. No specific signature varieties, date varieties, or overprints are visible in the PMG-graded holder. The note exhibits the standard design without the modifications or security upgrades seen in later P-21 and subsequent denominations of the Falcon watermark series, confirming its identity as the scarce original P-2 issue.