..Oman - 2020 Sixth Series Full Set - 100 Baisa, half, 1, 5, 10 and 20 Rials Hybrid

سلطنة عُمان
(Sultanate of Oman)

البنك المركزي العماني

(Central Bank of Oman)

Currency : Rial (OMR) 

 

Here is the full set of six notes issued in early January 2021. This is the sixth series of banknotes issued by Omani's central bank since 1970. 

 

This set was made available on 11.01.2021 by the central bank. This set consists of 100 baisa, half, 1, 5, 10 and 20 rials. As this is the new series, the three notes of 5, 10 and 20 rials are all printed with the portrait of the current ruler, Sultan Haitam bin Tarik. Sultan Haitham was the first cousin of the previous ruler, Sultan Qaboos and he is also the person that the late Sultan Qaboos had chosen to succeed him when he was alive. The late Sultan Qaboos was married for 3 years between 1976 and 1979 but does not have any children of his own.

The monarchy succession in Oman is not the same as many other countries around the world that still has a monarchy system. Prior to January 2021, there was no crown prince appointed in Oman. When the Sultan died in 2020, and according to the Omani constitution, the royal family shall decide who should be the next successor to the throne within 3 days. If this decision cannot be reached within the time frame, the Royal family will then open up a sealed envelope left by the deceased sultan to reveal his choice for the successor. It is believed that the royal family decided to accept the preferred choice nominated by Sultan Qaboos by revealing the letter left by the late sultan. Since ascending to the throne, Sultan Haitam has appointed his eldest son, Theyazin bin Haitam (b.1990) as the crown prince of Oman on 12.01.2021.  

 

Prior to becoming the Sultan of Oman, Sultan Haitham bin Tariq held the ministry post of Heritage and Culture (2002-2020). He also held the post of Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Finance from January 2020 to August 2020. As the Sultan of Oman, he is also the Prime Minister and the Minister of Defence of Oman. 

It is not sure why the 100 baisa is printed but not the 200 or the quarter baisa as per previous issues. Perhaps the 200 baisa is not a popular banknote in Oman. In Oman, 1000 baisa is equal to 1 rial and this 100 baisa is equivalent to 0.1 rial (like ten cents value). The 50 rial which also formed part of the sixth series was issued first in July 2020 celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the rise of the Modern Omani Renaissance, and also in memory of its founder, the late Sultan Qaboos bin Said bin Taimur (b.1940-2020). Two sets of serial numbers are printed on the front of each note, one in Arabic numerals on the left and the other in Western digits vertically on the right. All banknotes are printed with the Islamic Hijri year of 1441 AH and the Gregorian year of 2020.

 

The 5, 10 and 20 (and the 50 rials as well) are all printed on Hybrid material. The Omani rial is the world's third strongest currency, after the Kuwaiti dinar and Bahraini dinar.

Signature - Sultan Haitam bin Tarik

 

Dimensions

100 baisa - 122mm x 64.5mm

Half rial - 135.5mm x 64mm

1 rial - 145.5mm x 76.5mm

5 rials - 153mm x 76mm

10 rials - 160mm x 76mm

20 rials - 167mm x 76mm

Designs

100 baisa - Arms, terraces of al-Jabal al-Akhdar / coconut trees, Aflaj water irrigation systems;

1/2 rial - Arms, Ayn Kour waterfall near Salalah / falcon, leopard;

1 rial - Arms, Oman Across Ages Museum near Manah / Khasab Castle, Wadi al-Ain cemetery, dagger, hatchet (axe);

5 rials - Sultan Haitam bin Tarik, Sultan Qaboos University / Royal Opera House in Muscat;

10 rials - Sultan Haitam bin Tarik, Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque / Al Balid archaeological park in Salalah; and

20 rials - Sultan Haitam bin Tarik, Muscat International Airport / Batinah Expressway, Sohar port, Salalah International Airport;

 

One Hundred Baisa

Dated 2020, Coat of Arms, terraces of al-Jabal al-Akhdar

Reverse - coconut trees, Aflaj water irrigation systems

 

Half Rial

Dated 2020, Coat of Arms, Ayn Kour waterfall near Salalah

Reverse - falcon, leopard

 

One Rial

Dated 2020, Arms, Oman Across Ages Museum near Manah

Reverse - Khasab Castle, Wadi al-Ain cemetery, dagger, hatchet (axe)

 

Five Rials

Dated 2020, Sultan Haitam bin Tarik, Sultan Qaboos University

Reverse - Royal Opera House in Muscat

 

Ten Rials

Dated 2020, Sultan Haitam bin Tarik, Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque

Reverse - Al Balid archaeological park in Salalah

 

Twenty Rials

Dated 2020, Sultan Haitam bin Tarik, Muscat International Airport

Reverse - Batinah Expressway, Sohar port, Salalah International Airport

Footnote👉

Okay, how are they related between the late Sultan Qaboos and the current Sultan Haitham. For a start, they both shared the same grandfather, the late Sultan Taimur bin Feisal who ruled Oman from 1913 to 1932. He was then succeeded by his eldest son, the late Sultan Said bin Taimur. Sultan Said was then overthrown by his only son, Sultan Qaboos in 1970 and installed himself as the Sultan of Oman from 1970 to 2020. Sultan Haitham's father is Tariq bin Taimur, who is also the younger brother of Sultan Said. Therefore, the relationship between Sultan Qaboos and Sultan Haitham are first cousins.