asia: Yemen Arab Republic

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...Yemen - 200 Rials 2025 Series Houthi Group Issue

Republic of Yemen

Central Bank of Yemen

Currency - Rial (YER)

This is a 200 rials note reportedly issued on 16.07.2025 by the Houthi group which currently occupied a large part of the land, mainly situated in the western side of Yemen bordering the Red sea.

In the modern history of Yemen, the country was once split into two, called Yemen Arab Republic (north-west part of Yemen), and South Yemen with their capital as Aden. On 22.05.1990, these two countries merged into one and called itself the Republic of Yemen. Civil war broke out in September 2014, where the Houthi group seized control of the city of Sana'a and a large part of western Yemen. The rest of the country is occupied by the President Leadership Council (PLC), which is also called The Cabinet of Yemen or Yemeni Government. To the western world, the PLC is the legit government and the Houthi group is not.

Since the Houthi group occupied a large part of western Yemen, this is the first time a banknote has been issued under the banner of the Central Bank of Yemen. It should be noted that the Central Bank of Yemen is the central bank of Yemen and it's head office is based in the capital city, Aden, not occupied by the Houthi group. Obviously, this 200 rials is not recognised by the PLC government and deem it as illegal for anyone processing this note.

Front - The image of the Al-janad Mosque in Taiz. This mosque was built in the 7th century. It should be noted that the city of Taiz is not under the control of the Houthi group. There is a security feature added to this note and I do not believe I have seen this before. If you hold up the note against the light, between the mosque and the watermark area (where the vertical red line is), you can see the Arabic numeral of ٢٠٠ (200) featuring vertically. This feature is created in the form of tiny pinholes like (perforated). It appears that these tiny see-through pinholes can only be viewed if the note is held up against a strong light. I only noticed this feature when I was checking out the watermark of this note.

Signature - Hashem Ismail Ali Ahmad Al-Madani

Watermark - Coat of Arms

Sizes - 156mm x 76mm

Back - An aerial view of the Al Ma'alla port in Aden with cargo ships docking at the port. It is strange that both the main images depicted on the note both front and back are not controlled by the Houthi group. Is this done on purpose?

...Yemen - 2016 To 2018 full Set Of Five Notes

ٱلْجُمْهُورِيَّةُ ٱلْيَمَنِيَّةُ

Republic of Yemen

البنك المركزي اليمني

Central Bank of Yemen, Est.1971

Currency - Riyal (YER)

Prior to 22.05.1990, Yemen was divided into two countries, North Yemen (capital - Sanna) and South Yemen (capital - Aden). These two countries then united as one and formed the Republic of Yemen.

Yemen is one of the least developed and also the poorest countries in the world. In 2014, civil war broke out with multiple entities or groups controlling the country. The civil war is still ongoing but with ceasefire declared on 02.04.2022. Negotiations to end the war started in April 2023 and it is still ongoing.

Here I have posted 5 notes of 100, 200, 500, 1000 and 5000 rials. These notes are printed with the year dates of 2016, 2017 and 2018. Whilst this is a full set, the signatures are not. The interesting story for this series is the 5000 rials. These 5000 rials notes were reportedly printed in 2016 or 2017 and were ordered by the Central Bank of Yemen in the Northern capital of Sana'a, under control by the Houthi rebels backed by Iran and Russia. Then around 2017, a truck load of such notes were seized by tribesmen. Since then, none of these notes surfaced until early 2024 when they appeared in the numismatic market. If I have to judge on the authenticity of this note, I would say that this is a counterfeit print as it lacks those normal or usual security features.

One Hundred Rials

Socotra dragon blood trees

Front - The main feature is that the Socotra dragon blood trees is native trees of Socotra. This tree is also the national tree of Yemen. Qamariya stained glass window and an outline of a mosque.

Governor - Mohammed Zammam

Watermarks - Coat of Arms and electrotype ١٠٠

Dimensions - 151mm x 69.5mm

Back - Terraced agricultural farming fields and Queen Arwa Mosque Mihrab decorated niche.

Terraced agricultural farming fields

Two Hundred Rials

Historic town of Zabid

Front - Historic town of Zabid and is one of the oldest towns in Yemen. This town has been listed as a UNESCO World heritage Site since 1993. An outline of a mosque.

Governor - Mohamed Awad bin Human

Watermarks - Coat of Arms and electrotype ۲۰۰

Dimensions - 151mm x 70mm

Back - Landscape of Hauf National Park in Al-Mahrah Governorate. Mosque Mihrab decorated niche.

Landscape of Hauf National Park

Five Hundred Rials

Al-Muhdhar mosque

Front - Al-Muhdhar mosque in Tarim, built in 1914. An outline of a mosque.

Governor - Mohammed Zammam

Watermarks - Coat of Arms and electrotype ۵٠٠

Dimensions - 156mm x 70mm

Back - Palace of the Rock or Dar al-Hajar. It is also known as Stone House. This is a former palace located in Wadi Dhar and was built in 1920. It was used as a Summer retreat of the ruler of Yemen from 1904 to 1948. It is now used as a museum.

Palace of the Rock or Dar al-Hajar

One Thousand Rials

Seiyub Palace

Front - Seiyub Palace in Seiyun. This was once the royal residence of the Sultan Kathiri and is now used as a museum.

Governor - Mohammed Zammam

Watermarks - Coat of Arms and electrotype ١٠٠٠

Dimensions - 156mm x 70mm

Back - View of Sana city with the Bab Al-Yaman gate. Sana is the largest city and is also the capital city of Yemen.

Sana city with the Bab Al-Yaman gate

Five Thousand Rials

Al-Muhdhar mosque in Tarim

Front - Al-Muhdhar mosque in Tarim. This is a historical mosque and was built in 1914. Tarim is situated in the center right of Yemen.

Signature - Unknown

Dimensions - 159.5mm x 85mm

Back - Throne of the Queen of Bilqis (Queen of Saba) in Ma'rib. This is a temple which is dated back to the 10th century. This temple is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

Throne of the Queen of Bilqis (Queen of Saba) in Ma'rib

...Yemen Arab Republic - 20 Rials ND1990

الجمهورية العربية اليمنية

Yemen Arab Republic

Central Bank of Yemen

Currency : Rial (YER)

This is one odd note that I have from this series.

The Yemen Arab Republic was previously known as North Yemen and was established between 1962 to 1990. In May 1990, it merged with the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen or South Yemen and formed the Republic of Yemen.

This 20 rial belongs to the 1990-1997 series. This note was reportedly issued in nd1990. It seems that following the merger between the two countries, they retained the Central Bank of Yemen's name as their new nation's central bank. I suppose they have also merged the Bank of Yemen too.

Whilst the Bank of Yemen had only issued two sets of notes between 1965 to 1984, in my opinion, their designs of the notes are much nicer. More importantly, their sizes are also larger too. South Yemen was in existence between 1967 and 1990.

This is the only note that I have for this series.

Twenty Rials

nd1990, marble sculpture of god Dionysos, P26b

Reverse - view of coastal city Aden

...Yemen Arab Republic - 1985 Print

الجمهورية العربية اليمنية

Yemen Arab Republic

Central Bank of Yemen

Currency : Rial (YER)

Below is a 20 rials note issued in 1985. The Yemen Arab Republic (a.k.a. North Yemen) was founded in 1962 with it's capital at Sana'a. In 1990, it united with the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen (a.k.a. South Yemen) to form the Republic of Yemen. Other denominations issued for those series are 1, 5, 10 and 100 (x 2) rails.

Twenty Rials