Coins of Qatarfrom the Qatar & Dubai riyal to the modern dirham

Qatar's numismatic history begins with the joint Qatar & Dubai riyal series of 1966 — a brief but fascinating coinage born from a currency union between two Gulf states. When Qatar declared independence on 3 September 1971 and Dubai joined the UAE, the monetary union dissolved and Qatar introduced its own riyal subdivided into 100 dirhams.

The State of Qatar's first coins appeared in 1973, struck at the Royal Mint. The series features the national emblem — crossed swords, a dhow, and palm trees — on every denomination. Qatar's commemorative program has expanded significantly in recent decades, marking the Asian Games, National Day celebrations, and the 2022 FIFA World Cup.