UAE launches new Dhs50 banknote to commemorate country’s golden jubilee

The UAE on Tuesday launched the third issue of the national currency of Dhs50, to mark the country’s golden jubilee which it celebrated earlier this month.

The new issue is the first banknote made of polymer material to be circulated in the UAE. Polymer banknotes are more durable and sustainable than traditional cotton paper banknotes, and reportedly last at least twice as long in circulation as compared to other types of currency. The polymer can be completely recycled, thus reducing their environmental footprint.

The initiative is a tribute to the Founding Father of the UAE, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and the first generation of rulers of the Emirates and their role in uniting the country, according to state-run news agency WAM.

The front of the new banknote features a portrait of the Sheikh Zayed on the right, and the memorial picture of the founding fathers after signing the union document in the centre, in addition to a picture of Wahat Al Karama – the memorial to the martyrs of the Emirates – on the left.

The reverse of the banknote includes a picture of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan signing the union agreement, and a picture of Etihad Museum, which witnessed the establishment of the union and the raising of the UAE flag for the first time.

The new 50-dirham banknote will include an image of the founder, Sheikh Zayed, along with the #UAE’s founding fathers and a number of historical monuments. It is the first polymer banknote to be circulated in the country. pic.twitter.com/KqRCszjcvL

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) December 7, 2021

The design of this new banknote contains different shades of violet, fluorescent blue marks of the UAE nation brand in the centre, and drawings and inscriptions created using advanced intaglio printing techniques.

The Central Bank of the UAE has added prominent symbols in Braille to help blind and visually-impaired to identify the banknote’s value. The new Dhs50 banknote also has advanced security features to combat counterfeiting.

It will be available in Central Bank branches and ATMs imminently. The current will however Dhs50 note will continue to be in circulation.

“We see in this issuance the new phase that UAE will enter, and a renewed pledge to continue its growth path. The occasion also allowed us to express our appreciation and gratitude to our founding fathers by issuing a new Dhs50 banknote to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the establishment of the UAE,” said Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Presidential Affairs and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Central Bank of the UAE.

Previously, the Federal Public Prosecution said that any person, who forges, counterfeits or falsifies currency will be liable for temporary or life imprisonment and a fine not less than Dhs200,000.