The UAE's currency was introduced on May 20, 1973, a little over two years after the country was formed.
Prior to the dirham, the rupee, dinar and even the Maria Theresa silver thaler were used.
In this weekly series, The National breaks down the historical and cultural significance of the designs for each of the dirham denominations.
Dh10
First issued in 1973, the original Dh10 banknote would be unrecognisable today. Printed in dark grey ink on a background mostly of shades of pale green, the Arabic face carried the composite mark of a sailing dhow and the outline of the UAE Gulf coast above a line of camels, and framed with a palm tree, oil derrick and a string of pearls.
The English side was printed with an aerial image of Umm Al Quwain, with the words “United Arab Emirates currency board".
In 1982, the Dh10 note was replaced with the design familiar today, with images that reflect aspects of life and culture. The Arabic face features a khanjar, the carved dagger worn by Emirati men at ceremonies. The central watermark includes the crest of the UAE, with the spread wings of the Hawk of Quraish, the tribe of the Prophet Mohammed.
On the reverse, the English language face is a composite of a farm, complete with rows of crops alongside trees and date palms. In the foreground is the crown of a date palm, laden with ripe fruit. Each side is a powerful statement of the importance of tradition and the bounty of nature in Emirati culture, both close to the heart of Sheikh Zayed.
Ensuring sustainable agriculture was one of the main goals of Sheikh Zayed, who said: "Provide me with sustainable agriculture, I will ensure you a civilised society."
The Dh10 has been reissued many times since then, most recently in 2017 with some changes, including the font of the Arabic script and enhanced security, but at heart remains as timeless as the way of life it commemorates.
The inspiration behind the design of the UAE's currency
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An Arabian sand gazelle at the Mleiha Archaeological Centre in Sharjah. The gazelle is native to the region and can be found on the 25 fils coin. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
The Murban 2 oil well in Abu Dhabi, pictured in 1956. The discovery of oil transformed the emirate and eventually the UAE. Three oil derricks are featured on the 50 fils coin. Adnoc -
A dallah belonging to Sheikh Zayed in the early 20th century on display during the Majlis Zayed Exhibition in Abu Dhabi. The traditional coffee pot, a symbol of Emirati hospitality, appears on the Dh1 coin. Pawan Singh / The National -
One of the entrances to the Central Market, also known as the Blue Souq, in Sharjah. The market was built in 1979 and is adorned with Islamic designs. It can be seen on the Arabic side of the Dh5. Amy Leang / The National -
Salem Al Mutawa Mosque is one of the oldest two in the UAE. About 200 years old, it can be seen on the English side of the Dh5 along with the Khor Fakkan coastline. Antonie Robertson / The National -
The khanjar is a curved ceremonial dagger worn by men in the UAE and Oman. An illustration of the knife can be seen on the Arabic side of the Dh10. Victor Besa / The National -
Date palm tree at Al Dahra farm in Al Ain. A date tree and farm are the main illustrations on the Dh10 note. Pawan Singh / The National -
An Arabian dhow at sea in 1973. The vessel features prominently on the Dh20 note. Marion Kaplan -
Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club opened in 1993 and can be seen on the Arabic side of the Dh20 note. Tourism Ireland -
An Arabian oryx at Al Maha Desert Resort in Dubai. The species was endangered but conservation efforts, led by Sheikh Zayed, helped it to flourish. It can be seen on the Dh50 note. Gerry O’Leary -
Completed in 1898 on the orders of Sheikh Zayed the First, Al Jahili Fort in Al Ain is one of the country’s largest. It appears on the English-language side of the Dh50 note. Abu Dhabi Culture and Tourism -
Al Fahidi Fort in Dubai was built in 1787. Since then, it has had many uses, even functioning as a prison for outlaws for a time. It can be found on the Arabic face of the Dh100 note. Pawan Singh / The National -
Dubai World Trade Centre (the grey, rectangular building to the middle left) was opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1979. The tallest building in the UAE until 1999, it appears on the Dh100 banknote. Alamy -
Established in 1980, the UAE Central Bank was preceded by the Currency Board, which issued the country’s first independent currency: the dirham. The headquarters now features on the Dh200 note. Sammy Dallal / The National -
Worshippers leave the stadium at Zayed Sports City, Abu Dhabi, after Pope Francis led a holy Mass there in 2019. The building opened in 1979 and is featured on the Dh200 banknote. Pawan Singh / The National -
Falcons feature on each of the dirham notes, but the beloved bird takes centre stage on the Arabic side of the Dh500. Getty -
Sheikh Zayed Bridge was designed by renowned Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid. It was opened in 2010, becoming the third gateway from Abu Dhabi island to the greater emirate. During the Year of Zayed in 2019, a special Dh100 note, which is still in circulation, was printed depicting the bridge. Andrew Henderson / The National -
Jumeirah Mosque in Dubai opened in 1979. One of two mosques open to non-Muslims, it is a distinctive feature of the Dh500 note. Getty -
Qasr Al Hosn, the birthplace of Sheikh Zayed, is on the Arabic side of the Dh1,000 note. Victor Besa / The National -
Abu Dhabi’s skyline has changed dramatically since the dirham was launched. The UAE’s capital is featured on the Dh1,000 note. Chris Whiteoak / The National
