![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SLTK32OQG5ADW7L5RAM4WLJK3A.jpg?smart=true&auth=25bb39cf96237302cc61a1868583220e6cade7add110604b0ecbae97b6ba6123&width=400&height=225)
The unique 1973 set of notes denominated 1, 5, 10, 50 and 100 dirhams, all with matching serial 000002, turned up in the US recently. Each note is lightly folded and it is clear that on the day of issue someone with foresight thought to save a complete set of the Emirate's first national money.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6ZTZLFZ6YREX3LTSOVJSAUQF7Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=ffc0e967fe0fe887301bcffcf44d5b1f1fe392a1f5ac099171e5dc12c1d662a4&width=400&height=225)
The UAE celebrates its second Union Day, then known as National Day, in 1973, with a parade along the old Corniche in Abu Dhabi. Photo: Peter Alves
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YUUMILLXJJDUTLTFBJKMT646XI.jpg?smart=true&auth=a744c4674f7f2511519815f8126961fc2231f73b4224528849d1ba8064cb61cd&width=400&height=225)
A float of Al Maqta bridge passes along Abu Dhabi's old Corniche as part of Union Day celebrations in 1973. Photo: Peter Alves
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RQ5UDY4TLJEODESAIGH2ZETDLU.jpg?smart=true&auth=e122511188478b6081880d534da73804806e70802eb9a421262ecd66ce0684ed&width=400&height=225)
The UAE celebrates its second Union Day, in 1973, with a parade along the old Corniche in Abu Dhabi. Photo: Peter Alves
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PQF7ZZ4KFBHALJYRUTFHKDHW2Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=4cf0afcdf2f4342a1739029c0523ff13316d76ba5b23306a0c27c4ca0943fdf6&width=400&height=225)
A vehicle stuck in the sand is pushed along on the sidelines of the UAE's second Union Day celebrations, in 1973. Photo: Peter Alves
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HJSZFJ67S5CORCAZOC6Q7WL34A.jpg?smart=true&auth=fee9423fbf90727c8496e3f38e80c3a41599229785a18dc59e50665c9e08f038&width=400&height=225)
Marchers create the UAE flag as part of the parade along Abu Dhabi's old Corniche in 1973. Photo: Peter Alves
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UEMJKFMZBVH3RP4JGNYTY2ORGQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=09310c8902f574ec0862353c04789b23c842ff414ba46e6be77a6ca6a8f09aed&width=400&height=225)
Crowds gather on a building that is under construction to watch the UAE's second Union Day parade go by along the old Corniche. Photo: Peter Alves
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7IBUOZ2KFJC4TPJCP525H2WCNI.jpg?smart=true&auth=bbf7d624ade08f60fc9c3420400609fc103935dc2107fb06536ca93721b37829&width=400&height=225)
The UAE celebrates its second Union Day, in 1973, with a parade along the old Corniche in Abu Dhabi. Photo: Peter Alves
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/O3362QNCWFCUVHRJIV3UARZUVQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=d2e116f3804a1d6ff3f0d7e91c9818e87a8130e92e75e6c7abfd88c62ab39d82&width=400&height=225)
Armed forces personnel march along Abu Dhabi's old Corniche as part of Union Day celebrations in 1973. Photo: Peter Alves
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SLTK32OQG5ADW7L5RAM4WLJK3A.jpg?smart=true&auth=25bb39cf96237302cc61a1868583220e6cade7add110604b0ecbae97b6ba6123&width=400&height=225)
The unique 1973 set of notes denominated 1, 5, 10, 50 and 100 dirhams, all with matching serial 000002, turned up in the US recently. Each note is lightly folded and it is clear that on the day of issue someone with foresight thought to save a complete set of the Emirate's first national money.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6ZTZLFZ6YREX3LTSOVJSAUQF7Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=ffc0e967fe0fe887301bcffcf44d5b1f1fe392a1f5ac099171e5dc12c1d662a4&width=400&height=225)
The UAE celebrates its second Union Day, then known as National Day, in 1973, with a parade along the old Corniche in Abu Dhabi. Photo: Peter Alves
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YUUMILLXJJDUTLTFBJKMT646XI.jpg?smart=true&auth=a744c4674f7f2511519815f8126961fc2231f73b4224528849d1ba8064cb61cd&width=400&height=225)
A float of Al Maqta bridge passes along Abu Dhabi's old Corniche as part of Union Day celebrations in 1973. Photo: Peter Alves
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RQ5UDY4TLJEODESAIGH2ZETDLU.jpg?smart=true&auth=e122511188478b6081880d534da73804806e70802eb9a421262ecd66ce0684ed&width=400&height=225)
The UAE celebrates its second Union Day, in 1973, with a parade along the old Corniche in Abu Dhabi. Photo: Peter Alves
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PQF7ZZ4KFBHALJYRUTFHKDHW2Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=4cf0afcdf2f4342a1739029c0523ff13316d76ba5b23306a0c27c4ca0943fdf6&width=400&height=225)
A vehicle stuck in the sand is pushed along on the sidelines of the UAE's second Union Day celebrations, in 1973. Photo: Peter Alves
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HJSZFJ67S5CORCAZOC6Q7WL34A.jpg?smart=true&auth=fee9423fbf90727c8496e3f38e80c3a41599229785a18dc59e50665c9e08f038&width=400&height=225)
Marchers create the UAE flag as part of the parade along Abu Dhabi's old Corniche in 1973. Photo: Peter Alves
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UEMJKFMZBVH3RP4JGNYTY2ORGQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=09310c8902f574ec0862353c04789b23c842ff414ba46e6be77a6ca6a8f09aed&width=400&height=225)
Crowds gather on a building that is under construction to watch the UAE's second Union Day parade go by along the old Corniche. Photo: Peter Alves
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7IBUOZ2KFJC4TPJCP525H2WCNI.jpg?smart=true&auth=bbf7d624ade08f60fc9c3420400609fc103935dc2107fb06536ca93721b37829&width=400&height=225)
The UAE celebrates its second Union Day, in 1973, with a parade along the old Corniche in Abu Dhabi. Photo: Peter Alves
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/O3362QNCWFCUVHRJIV3UARZUVQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=d2e116f3804a1d6ff3f0d7e91c9818e87a8130e92e75e6c7abfd88c62ab39d82&width=400&height=225)
Armed forces personnel march along Abu Dhabi's old Corniche as part of Union Day celebrations in 1973. Photo: Peter Alves
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SLTK32OQG5ADW7L5RAM4WLJK3A.jpg?smart=true&auth=25bb39cf96237302cc61a1868583220e6cade7add110604b0ecbae97b6ba6123&width=400&height=225)
The unique 1973 set of notes denominated 1, 5, 10, 50 and 100 dirhams, all with matching serial 000002, turned up in the US recently. Each note is lightly folded and it is clear that on the day of issue someone with foresight thought to save a complete set of the Emirate's first national money.
UAE Union Day: The day the Emirates came of age
Postage stamps and the dirham made their debut in 1973, along with the Hawk of Quraish
![James Langton](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F59aec61e-41b3-468c-8a69-57168338145b.png?smart=true&auth=20537dd68c837a65707d347b248e74bad34b378390f02a7be13b68d756185b99&width=70&height=70)
James Langton
02 December, 2023
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