Currency of Bahrain 100 Fils banknote 1967 Bahrain Currency Board
The Bahraini Dinar is the currency of Bahrain. It is divided into 1000 fils. The name dinar derives from the Roman denarius. The dinar was introduced in 1965, replacing the Gulf rupee at a rate of 10 rupees = 1 dinar.
Obverse: The front of each note contains the name of the Currency Board in Arabic at the top centre, the crest of the Ruler of Bahrain to the right, a sailing dhow to the left and a two beached dhows in the centre. The denominational values appear in each corner. The notes are signed by Shaikh Khlifah bin Sulman al Khalifah, Chairman of the Currency Board. All text on the front of the notes is in Arabic, while all text on the back of the notes is in English. The watermark on all notes is the head of a falcon (and is located to the left of the notes), while a solid security thread runs vertically through the notes to the right of centre.
Reverse: The back of the 100-fils note illustrates traditional agriculture (Three date palms in the centre, two boats in the distance on the right, and a date grove to the left). Agriculture in Bahrain has been plentiful over the centuries due to many natural springs on the island. The two most common crops in Bahrain for many years were dates and lucerne, with lucerne often being grown in the shade of the date gardens.
In 1966 the only Gulf states to have introduced their own currency were Kuwait and Bahrain. The other Gulf states used the Indian External Rupee, or Gulf Rupee as their currency. In June 1966 India devalued the Rupee and the devaluation encompassed the Gulf Rupee. Such was the impact of the devaluation, that most states abandoned the Gulf Rupee and adopted the riyal of the Qatar & Dubai Currency Board – after temporarily using the riyals of Saudi Arabia. However, Abu Dhabi decided to use the dinar of Bahrain. Consequently, under ‘Decree No. 1 (Finance) of 1967’, the Bahrain Currency Board was authorized to issue and redeem their dinar in Abu Dhabi.
Following the release of Bahrain’s new notes in 1965, it had been suggested that a 100-fils note should also have been introduced, as this value equalled one rupee—the lowest denomination note circulating prior to the introduction of the new currency. A 100-fils note was subsequently issued on 2 September 1967 under ‘Decree No. 2 (Finance) of 1967’. The new note was in most respects similar to the notes of the series it complemented, with the exception of the serial number. The serial numbers on the 100-fils note are red and have a single letter prefix, as opposed to the black serial numbers of the other notes with the double letter prefix.
Bahrain Banknotes
Bahrain Currency Board
L. 1965 Issue