Heritage

UAE currency: The two versions of the Dh100 notes in your wallet

The second iteration of the denomination was released in 2018 to mark the Year of Zayed

James Langton
James Langton
United Kingdom

June 06, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic
UAE currency

The UAE's currency was introduced on May 20, 1973, a little more than two years after the country was formed.

Prior to the dirham, the rupee, dinar and even the Maria Theresa silver thaler were used.

In this weekly series, The National breaks down the historical and cultural significance of the designs for each of the dirham denominations.

Dh100

Always a welcome presence in your wallet, the Dh100 note was the highest denomination in general circulation when it was introduced in 1973.

The original note was green, and superficially resembled today's Dh10. Mixing the two up would be an unfortunate mistake to make.

The original Dh100 note, which was green, featured the port of Khor Fakkan and was in circulation from 1973 until 1982.
The original Dh100 note, which was green, featured the port of Khor Fakkan and was in circulation from 1973 until 1982.

The design on the English language face was a charming scene of Khor Fakkan on the Gulf of Oman, with a dhow and buildings that include a mosque and the fish market.

Although almost completely surrounded by Fujairah, Khor Fakkan is part of Sharjah, which also features on the Dh1 note and was the only emirate to be included twice on the original issue.

Design changes in 1982 meant the Dh100 note became the familiar pink or pale red (depending on your point of view) that we see today.

On the Arabic face is Al Fahidi Fort in Dubai, once the home of the emirate's Ruler and now the Dubai Museum. The reverse is the World Trade Centre, once the tallest building in the Middle East and still a symbol of Dubai's extraordinary progress in barely half a century.

If you have recently made a large withdrawal from a bank, take a closer look at your Dh100 notes and you may find the second version.

This was released in 2018 to mark the Year of Zayed and the 100th anniversary of the Founding Father's birth. The World Trade Centre on the English side is replaced with an image of Sheikh Zayed Bridge in Abu Dhabi, and on the reverse is the official symbol of the Year Of Zayed with his portrait.

The inspiration behind the design of the UAE's currency

An Arabian sand gazelle at the Mleiha Archaeological Centre in Sharjah. The gazelle is native to the region and can be found on the 25 fils coin. Chris Whiteoak / The National
An Arabian sand gazelle at the Mleiha Archaeological Centre in Sharjah. The gazelle is native to the region and can be found on the 25 fils coin. Chris Whiteoak / The National
The Murban 2 oil well in Abu Dhabi, pictured in 1956. The discovery of oil transformed the emirate and eventually the UAE. Three oil derricks are featured on the 50 fils coin. Adnoc
The Murban 2 oil well in Abu Dhabi, pictured in 1956. The discovery of oil transformed the emirate and eventually the UAE. Three oil derricks are featured on the 50 fils coin. Adnoc
A dallah belonging to Sheikh Zayed in the early 20th century on display during the Majlis Zayed Exhibition in Abu Dhabi. The traditional coffee pot, a symbol of Emirati hospitality, appears on the Dh1 coin. Pawan Singh / The National
A dallah belonging to Sheikh Zayed in the early 20th century on display during the Majlis Zayed Exhibition in Abu Dhabi. The traditional coffee pot, a symbol of Emirati hospitality, appears on the Dh1 coin. Pawan Singh / The National
One of the entrances to the Central Market, also known as the Blue Souq, in Sharjah. The market was built in 1979 and is adorned with Islamic designs. It can be seen on the Arabic side of the Dh5. Amy Leang / The National
One of the entrances to the Central Market, also known as the Blue Souq, in Sharjah. The market was built in 1979 and is adorned with Islamic designs. It can be seen on the Arabic side of the Dh5. Amy Leang / The National
Salem Al Mutawa Mosque is one of the oldest two in the UAE. About 200 years old, it can be seen on the English side of the Dh5 along with the Khor Fakkan coastline. Antonie Robertson / The National
Salem Al Mutawa Mosque is one of the oldest two in the UAE. About 200 years old, it can be seen on the English side of the Dh5 along with the Khor Fakkan coastline. Antonie Robertson / The National
The khanjar is a curved ceremonial dagger worn by men in the UAE and Oman. An illustration of the knife can be seen on the Arabic side of the Dh10. Victor Besa / The National
The khanjar is a curved ceremonial dagger worn by men in the UAE and Oman. An illustration of the knife can be seen on the Arabic side of the Dh10. Victor Besa / The National
Date palm tree at Al Dahra farm in Al Ain. A date tree and farm are the main illustrations on the Dh10 note. Pawan Singh / The National
Date palm tree at Al Dahra farm in Al Ain. A date tree and farm are the main illustrations on the Dh10 note. Pawan Singh / The National
An Arabian dhow at sea in 1973. The vessel features prominently on the Dh20 note. Marion Kaplan
An Arabian dhow at sea in 1973. The vessel features prominently on the Dh20 note. Marion Kaplan
Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club opened in 1993 and can be seen on the Arabic side of the Dh20 note. Tourism Ireland
Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club opened in 1993 and can be seen on the Arabic side of the Dh20 note. Tourism Ireland
An Arabian oryx at Al Maha Desert Resort in Dubai. The species was endangered but conservation efforts, led by Sheikh Zayed, helped it to flourish. It can be seen on the Dh50 note. Gerry O’Leary
An Arabian oryx at Al Maha Desert Resort in Dubai. The species was endangered but conservation efforts, led by Sheikh Zayed, helped it to flourish. It can be seen on the Dh50 note. Gerry O’Leary
Completed in 1898 on the orders of Sheikh Zayed the First, Al Jahili Fort in Al Ain is one of the country’s largest. It appears on the English-language side of the Dh50 note. Abu Dhabi Culture and Tourism
Completed in 1898 on the orders of Sheikh Zayed the First, Al Jahili Fort in Al Ain is one of the country’s largest. It appears on the English-language side of the Dh50 note. Abu Dhabi Culture and Tourism
Al Fahidi Fort in Dubai was built in 1787. Since then, it has had many uses, even functioning as a prison for outlaws for a time. It can be found on the Arabic face of the Dh100 note. Pawan Singh / The National
Al Fahidi Fort in Dubai was built in 1787. Since then, it has had many uses, even functioning as a prison for outlaws for a time. It can be found on the Arabic face of the Dh100 note. Pawan Singh / The National
Dubai World Trade Centre (the grey, rectangular building to the middle left) was opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1979. The tallest building in the UAE until 1999, it appears on the Dh100 banknote. Alamy
Dubai World Trade Centre (the grey, rectangular building to the middle left) was opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1979. The tallest building in the UAE until 1999, it appears on the Dh100 banknote. Alamy
Established in 1980, the UAE Central Bank was preceded by the Currency Board, which issued the country’s first independent currency: the dirham. The headquarters now features on the Dh200 note. Sammy Dallal / The National
Established in 1980, the UAE Central Bank was preceded by the Currency Board, which issued the country’s first independent currency: the dirham. The headquarters now features on the Dh200 note. Sammy Dallal / The National
Worshippers leave the stadium at Zayed Sports City, Abu Dhabi, after Pope Francis led a holy Mass there in 2019. The building opened in 1979 and is featured on the Dh200 banknote. Pawan Singh / The National
Worshippers leave the stadium at Zayed Sports City, Abu Dhabi, after Pope Francis led a holy Mass there in 2019. The building opened in 1979 and is featured on the Dh200 banknote. Pawan Singh / The National
Falcons feature on each of the dirham notes, but the beloved bird takes centre stage on the Arabic side of the Dh500. Getty
Falcons feature on each of the dirham notes, but the beloved bird takes centre stage on the Arabic side of the Dh500. Getty
Sheikh Zayed Bridge was designed by renowned Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid. It was opened in 2010, becoming the third gateway from Abu Dhabi island to the greater emirate. During the Year of Zayed in 2019, a special Dh100 note, which is still in circulation, was printed depicting the bridge. Andrew Henderson / The National
Sheikh Zayed Bridge was designed by renowned Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid. It was opened in 2010, becoming the third gateway from Abu Dhabi island to the greater emirate. During the Year of Zayed in 2019, a special Dh100 note, which is still in circulation, was printed depicting the bridge. Andrew Henderson / The National
Jumeirah Mosque in Dubai opened in 1979. One of two mosques open to non-Muslims, it is a distinctive feature of the Dh500 note. Getty
Jumeirah Mosque in Dubai opened in 1979. One of two mosques open to non-Muslims, it is a distinctive feature of the Dh500 note. Getty
Qasr Al Hosn, the birthplace of Sheikh Zayed, is on the Arabic side of the Dh1,000 note. Victor Besa / The National
Qasr Al Hosn, the birthplace of Sheikh Zayed, is on the Arabic side of the Dh1,000 note. Victor Besa / The National
Abu Dhabi’s skyline has changed dramatically since the dirham was launched. The UAE’s capital is featured on the Dh1,000 note. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Abu Dhabi’s skyline has changed dramatically since the dirham was launched. The UAE’s capital is featured on the Dh1,000 note. Chris Whiteoak / The National
World Mental Health Day
Race card

5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,600m

5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,600m

6pm: Arabian Triple Crown Round-2 Group 3 (PA) Dh300,000 2,200m 

6.30pm: Liwa Oaisi Group 2 (PA) Dh300,000 1,400m

7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 1,600m

7.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 1,600m

The National selections: 5pm: Flit Al Maury, 5.30pm: Sadah, 6pm: RB Seqondtonone, 6.30pm: RB Money To Burn, 7pm: SS Jalmood, 7.30pm: Dalaalaat

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if you go

The flights

Air Astana flies direct from Dubai to Almaty from Dh2,440 per person return, and to Astana (via Almaty) from Dh2,930 return, both including taxes. 

The hotels

Rooms at the Ritz-Carlton Almaty cost from Dh1,944 per night including taxes; and in Astana the new Ritz-Carlton Astana (www.marriott) costs from Dh1,325; alternatively, the new St Regis Astana costs from Dh1,458 per night including taxes. 

When to visit

March-May and September-November

Visas

Citizens of many countries, including the UAE do not need a visa to enter Kazakhstan for up to 30 days. Contact the nearest Kazakhstan embassy or consulate.

Dirham Stretcher tips for having a baby in the UAE

Selma Abdelhamid, the group's moderator, offers her guide to guide the cost of having a young family:

• Buy second hand stuff

 They grow so fast. Don't get a second hand car seat though, unless you 100 per cent know it's not expired and hasn't been in an accident.

• Get a health card and vaccinate your child for free at government health centres

 Ms Ma says she discovered this after spending thousands on vaccinations at private clinics.

• Join mum and baby coffee mornings provided by clinics, babysitting companies or nurseries.

Before joining baby classes ask for a free trial session. This way you will know if it's for you or not. You'll be surprised how great some classes are and how bad others are.

• Once baby is ready for solids, cook at home

Take the food with you in reusable pouches or jars. You'll save a fortune and you'll know exactly what you're feeding your child.

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Director: Christopher McQuarrie

Starring: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg

Rating: 4/5

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Augsburg v Hoffenheim (5.30pm)

RB Leipzig v Bayern Munich (8.30pm)

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Sunday

VfB Stuttgart v Werder Bremen  (5.30pm)

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Range: Up to 610km

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Available: Now

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