UAE honours Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid with new coins

The Central Bank has issued commemorative gold and silver coins to honour UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed.

The two men were key figures in the formation of the UAE. Sheikh Zayed, Ruler of Abu Dhabi at the time, held a meeting in March 1971 with Sheikh Rashid, Ruler of Dubai at the time, among the key figures who attended.

It was on a farm in Al Khawaneej area of Dubai where the fabric of the new nation was put together. The UAE was formed in December of the same year, with Sheikh Zayed as the country’s first president and Sheikh Rashid the first vice president.

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Their roles in the founding of the union have now been honoured with a gold coin, weighing 40g with a 40mm diameter, featuring the two men while the reverse includes the national emblem surrounded by the words “Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates” in both Arabic and English.

A second, silver, coin weighs 50g with a diameter of 50mm. It shows the two leaders while its reverse also includes the national emblem surrounded by the words “Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates” in Arabic and English as well as “Commemorative Coin” in Arabic.

The gold coin will only be available for purchase via the Central Bank’s headquarters in Abu Dhabi, while the silver coin can be bought on the bank’s website.

Proud history

“We proudly announce the issuance of these commemorative coins, which embody the meanings of loyalty and belonging to the national legacy left by the founding leaders, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, may their souls rest in peace,” said Khaled Balama, the bank’s governor.

“This issuance marks the Zayed and Rashid campaign, aiming to solidify the values of unity and development upon which our nation was founded, and to highlight inspiring milestones in their journeys. We reaffirm our commitment to immortalising our national history and fostering it in the hearts of future generations.”

In March, the bank launched a new Dh100 banknote featuring the Umm Al Quwain National Fort on the front, with a design depicting Etihad Rail alongside the Port of Fujairah on the back.