AED – United Arab Emirates Dirham

Monetary System

1 United Arab Emirates dirham (AED) = 100 fils

United Arab Emirates Currency Board

On 2 December 1971, the six emirates of Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Sharjah, and Umm al-Quwain formed the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with Ras al-Khaimah joining the federation on 11 February 1972. The United Arab Emirates Currency Board (CBO) was established on 19 May 1973 under Union Law No. 2 of 1973.

Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates

Beginning in 2021, the United Arab Emirates Central Bank changed its name to the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates.

2021 – 2023 Polymer Issues

According to a press release dated 7 December 2021, the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates introduced a 50-dirham note to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of the union which was established on 2 December 1971. This was the first polymer note issued by the United Arab Emirates, and it was printed by Oumolat Security Printing in Abu Dhabi. Subsequently, other denominations have been issued. Based upon the pattern of raised tactile dots for the sight impaired observed on notes issued to date, it appears no 20- and 200-dirham denominations are planned for this new family. Each note has a 9-digit serial number in vertical Arabic at left front, and horizontal Western digits at lower right front. The first three digits represent the prefix, which starts at 001 and advances consecutively. New varieties have prefixes that resume where the preceding varieties end.

Description: 5 AED – United Arab Emirates Dirham Size: 144 x 66 mm

Brown. Front: Arabic text; Emirates logo; palm tree and Ajman Fort watchtower; rosette as registration device; Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyan. Back: English text; Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyan; rosette; hilltop Dhayah Fort in Ras al-Khaimah. Simulated windowed security thread with demetalized 5AED and Arabic text. Watermark: None. Printer: (Oumolat Security Printing). 144 x 66 mm. Polymer (Safeguard).

Description: 10 AED – United Arab Emirates Dirham Size: 147 x 66 mm

Green. Front: Arabic text; Emirates logo; Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi; rosette as registration device; Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyan. Back: English text; Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyan; rosette; amphitheater in Khorfakkan. Simulated windowed security thread with demetalized 10AED and Arabic text. Watermark: None. Printer: (Oumolat Security Printing). 147 x 66 mm. Polymer (Safeguard).

Description: 50 AED – United Arab Emirates Dirham Size: 151 x 64 mm

According to a press release dated 7 December 2021, the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates has introduced a 50-dirham note to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of the union which was established on 2 December 1971. This is the first polymer note issued by the United Arab Emirates.

Purple, violet, and blue. Front: Arabic text; Emirates logo; Wahat al-Karama (memorial to the martyrs of the Emirates); seven founding fathers standing with flag after signing the union document; registration device; Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyan. Back: English text; registration device; Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan signing the union agreement; Etihad Museum. No security thread. Watermark: None. Printer: (Oumolat Security Printing). 151 x 64 mm. Polymer (Safeguard).

Description: 500 AED – United Arab Emirates Dirham Size:

Blue. Front: Arabic text; Emirates logo; Terra Sustainability Pavilion in Expo City Dubai; rosette as registration device. Back: English text; rosette; Museum of the Future, Emirates Towers, and Burj Khalifa, all in in Dubai; denomination in gold-to-green SPARK Flow Dimension. Kinegram Colors foil stripe with Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyan. Watermark: None. Printer: (Oumolat Security Printing). Dimensions unknown. Polymer (Safeguard).

Description: 1,000 AED – United Arab Emirates Dirham Size: 163 x 66 mm

Brown. Front: Arabic text; Emirates logo; Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyan; Emirates Mars Mission “Hope Probe;” NASA space shuttle on launch pad; rosette as registration device. Back: English text; rosette; Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant in Abu Dhabi; denomination in gold-to-green SPARK Flow Dimension. Kinegram Colors foil stripe with astronaut. Watermark: None. Printer: (Oumolat Security Printing). 163 x 66 mm. Polymer (Safeguard).

United Arab Emirates Central Bank

Established on 10 December 1980 by Union Law No. 10 of 1980, the United Arab Emirates Central Bank (CBA) took over the duties of the United Arab Emirates Currency Board. For more information, visit www.centralbank.ae.

2018 Issues

On 30 October 2018, the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates introduced a new 100-dirham note with improved anti-counterfeiting features, including a new green-to-blue SPARK Live feature at lower left front and a green-to-blue windowed Galaxy security thread. Furthermore, the denomination has been removed from lower right front, as has the silver foil stamp from upper right front. The notes are printed at the UAE’s first banknote printing plant in the Khalifa Industrial Zone in Abu Dhabi.

Description: 100 AED – United Arab Emirates Dirham Size: 155 x 66 mm

Red. Front: Arabic text; green-to-blue SPARK Live denomination; OVI coat of arms; Fahidi Fort in Dubai. Back: English text; Saker falcon; Trade Centre Tower in Dubai. Green-to-blue Galaxy windowed security thread with demetalized 100. Watermark: Saker falcon head with electrotype 100 and coffee pot. Printer: (UAE). 155 x 66 mm. Paper.

2018 Commemorative Issues

According to a press release dated 28 November 2018, as part of the 47th National Day of the UAE celebrations, the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates has introduced a 100-dirham note commemorating the life of the UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

Description: 100 AED – United Arab Emirates Dirham Size: 155 x 66 mm

Red. Front: Arabic text; green-to-blue SPARK Live denomination; OVI coat of arms; Year of Zayed logo; Fahidi Fort in Dubai. Back: English text; Saker falcon; Sheikh Zayed suspension bridge between Abu Dhabi Island and mainland. Green-to-blue Galaxy windowed security thread with demetalized 100. Watermark: Sheikh Zayed with electrotype 100 and coffee pot. Printer: (UAE). 155 x 66 mm. Paper.

2014 – 2017 Issues

According to a GulfNews.com article dated 12 July 2014, the board of directors of the Central Bank of the UAE instructed that necessary actions be taken to reprint all denominations of banknotes using tactile printing so that they will be readable by the visually impaired. The 50-dirham note was the first in this new family, with tactile horizontal bars at front left and right, plus the coat of arms in OVI. Since then all denominations have been similarly revised.

Description: 5 AED – United Arab Emirates Dirham Size: 143 x 60 mm

Brown. Front: Arabic text; coat of arms; Blue Souk in Sharjah. Back: English text; Saker falcon; Bay of Khorfakkan in Fujairah; tower. Solid security thread with demetalized UAE 5. Watermark: Saker falcon head. Printer: (Unknown). 143 x 60 mm. Paper.

Description: 10 AED – United Arab Emirates Dirham Size: 147 x 62 mm

Green. Front: Arabic text; coat of arms; traditional dagger (khanjar). Back: English text; Saker falcon; agricultural scene with date palm trees. Solid security thread with demetalized UAE 10. Watermark: Saker falcon head with electrotype 10 and coffee pot. Printer: (Unknown). 147 x 62 mm. Paper.

Description: 20 AED – United Arab Emirates Dirham Size: 150 x 63 mm

Blue. Front: Arabic text; coat of arms; Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club building. Back: English text; Saker falcon; dhow with sail. Windowed security thread with demetalized UAE 20. Watermark: Saker falcon head with electrotype 20 and coffee pot. Printer: (Unknown). 150 x 63 mm. Paper.

Description: 50 AED – United Arab Emirates Dirham Size: 151 x 64 mm

Purple. Front: Arabic text; OVI coat of arms; oryx (antelope) head with silver foil stamp. Back: English text; Saker falcon; Fort Jahili at Al Ain. 3-mm wide, color-shifting windowed security thread with demetalized UAE 50. Watermark: Saker falcon head with electrotype 50 and coffee pot. Printer: (Unknown). 151 x 64 mm. Paper.

Description: 100 AED – United Arab Emirates Dirham Size: 155 x 66 mm

Red. Front: Arabic text; OVI coat of arms; Fahidi Fort in Dubai with silver foil stamp of castle tower. Back: English text; Saker falcon; Trade Centre Tower in Dubai. 3-mm wide windowed security thread with demetalized UAE 100. Watermark: Saker falcon head with electrotype 100 and coffee pot. Printer: (Unknown). 155 x 66 mm. Paper.

Description: 200 AED – United Arab Emirates Dirham Size: 159 x 68 mm

Tan and gold. Front: Arabic text; Saker falcon head as registration device; OVI coat of arms; Sheikh Zayed Sports City and Judicial Department and Sharia Court buildings in Abu Dhabi. Back: English text; Saker falcon; UAE Central Bank headquarters building in Abu Dhabi; Saker falcon head. Holographic stripe with denomination. 3-mm wide, color-shifting windowed security thread with demetalized UAE 200. Watermark: Saker falcon head with electrotype 200 and coffee pot. Printer: (Unknown). 159 x 68 mm. Paper.

Description: 500 AED – United Arab Emirates Dirham Size: 159 x 68 mm

Violet. Front: Arabic text; coat of arms; Saker falcon head. Back: English text; Saker falcon; Jumeirah Mosque in Dubai. varifeye thread and 3-mm wide windowed security thread with demetalized UAE 500. Watermark: Saker falcon head with electrotype 500and coffee pot. Printer: (Giesecke & Devrient). 159 x 68 mm. Paper.

Description: 1,000 AED – United Arab Emirates Dirham Size: 163 x 70 mm

Brown. Front: Arabic text; Saker falcon head as registration device; OVI coat of arms; Al Hosn Palace (White Fort) in Abu Dhabi. Back: English text; Saker falcon; Abu Dhabi skyline with Corniche; Saker falcon head. Holographic stripe with denomination. 3-mm wide windowed security thread with demetalized UAE 1000. Watermark: Saker falcon head with electrotype 1000 and coffee pot. Printer: (Unknown). 163 x 70 mm. Paper.

2008 – 2013 Issues

These notes are like the preceding issues, but with new signatures, new dates, and the new coat of arms which was adopted on 22 March 2008.

The coat of arms on older notes has a dhow on the Saker falcon’s chest (left), whereas on newer notes (right) there is the UAE flag surrounded by stars representing the seven emirates of the federation.

Description: 5 AED – United Arab Emirates Dirham Size: 143 x 60 mm

Brown. Front: Arabic text; coat of arms; Blue Souk in Sharjah. Back: English text; Saker falcon; Bay of Khorfakkan in Fujairah; tower. Solid security thread with demetalized UAE 5. Watermark: Saker falcon head. Printer: (Unknown). 143 x 60 mm. Paper.

Description: 10 AED – United Arab Emirates Dirham Size: 147 x 62 mm

Green. Front: Arabic text; coat of arms; traditional dagger (khanjar). Back: English text; Saker falcon; agricultural scene with date palm trees. Solid security thread with demetalized UAE 10. Watermark: Saker falcon head with electrotype 10 and coffee pot. Printer: (Unknown). 147 x 62 mm. Paper.

Description: 20 AED – United Arab Emirates Dirham Size: 150 x 63 mm

Blue. Front: Arabic text; coat of arms; Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club building. Back: English text; Saker falcon; dhow with sail. Windowed security thread with demetalized UAE 20. Watermark: Saker falcon head with electrotype 20 and coffee pot. Printer: (Unknown). 150 x 63 mm. Paper.

Description: 100 AED – United Arab Emirates Dirham Size: 155 x 66 mm

Red. Front: Arabic text; coat of arms; Fahidi Fort in Dubai with silver foil stamp of castle tower. Back: English text; Saker falcon; Trade Centre Tower in Dubai. Windowed security thread with demetalized UAE 100. Watermark: Saker falcon head with electrotype 100and coffee pot. Printer: (Unknown). 155 x 66 mm. Paper.

Description: 200 AED – United Arab Emirates Dirham Size: 159 x 68 mm

Tan and gold. Front: Arabic text; Saker falcon head as registration device; coat of arms; Sheikh Zayed Sports City and Judicial Department and Sharia Court buildings in Abu Dhabi. Back: English text; Saker falcon; UAE Central Bank headquarters building in Abu Dhabi; Saker falcon head. Holographic stripe with denomination. Windowed security thread. Watermark: Saker falcon head with electrotype 200 and coffee pot. Printer: (Unknown). 159 x 68 mm. Paper.

Description: 1,000 AED – United Arab Emirates Dirham Size: 163 x 70 mm

Brown. Front: Arabic text; Saker falcon head as registration device; coat of arms; Al Hosn Palace (White Fort) in Abu Dhabi. Back: English text; Saker falcon; Abu Dhabi skyline with Corniche; Saker falcon head. Holographic stripe with denomination. Windowed security thread with demetalized UAE 1,000. Watermark: Saker falcon head with electrotype 1,000 and coffee pot. Printer: (Unknown). 163 x 70 mm. Paper.

2012 Issues

These 100- and 1,000-dirham notes are like the preceding issues, but with a 3-mm wide, magenta-to-gold color-shifting windowed security thread and green-to-blue OVI coat of arms.

Description: 100 AED – United Arab Emirates Dirham Size: 155 x 66 mm

Red. Front: Arabic text; OVI coat of arms; Fahidi Fort in Dubai with silver foil stamp of castle tower. Back: English text; Saker falcon; Trade Centre Tower in Dubai. 3-mm wide windowed security thread with demetalized UAE 100. Watermark: Saker falcon head with electrotype 100 and coffee pot. Printer: (Unknown). 155 x 66 mm. Paper.

Description: 1,000 AED – United Arab Emirates Dirham Size: 163 x 70 mm

Brown. Front: Arabic text; Saker falcon head as registration device; OVI coat of arms; Al Hosn Palace (White Fort) in Abu Dhabi. Back: English text; Saker falcon; Abu Dhabi skyline with Corniche; Saker falcon head. Holographic stripe with denomination. 3-mm wide windowed security thread with demetalized UAE 1,000. Watermark: Saker falcon head with electrotype 1,000 and coffee pot. Printer: (Unknown). 163 x 70 mm. Paper.

2011 Issues

This 50-dirham note is like the preceding issue, but with a 3-mm wide, color-shifting windowed security thread with demetalized UAE 50, and Omron rings added to front and back.

Description: 50 AED – United Arab Emirates Dirham Size: 151 x 64 mm

Purple. Front: Arabic text; coat of arms; oryx (antelope) head with silver foil stamp. Back: English text; Saker falcon; Fort Jahili at Al Ain. 3-mm wide, color-shifting windowed security thread with demetalized UAE 50. Watermark: Saker falcon head with electrotype 50 and coffee pot. Printer: (Unknown). 151 x 64 mm. Paper.

This 500-dirham note is like the preceding issue, but with the holographic stripe at right front replaced by a varifeye thread.

Description: 500 AED – United Arab Emirates Dirham Size: 159 x 68 mm

Violet. Front: Arabic text; coat of arms; Saker falcon head. Back: English text; Saker falcon; Jumeirah Mosque in Dubai. varifeye thread and 3-mm wide windowed security thread with demetalized UAE 500. Watermark: Saker falcon head with electrotype 500and coffee pot. Printer: (Giesecke & Devrient). 159 x 68 mm. Paper.

2003 – 2008 Issues

These notes are like the preceding issues, but with electrotype denomination and coffee pot added to all watermarks, a silver foil stamp added to the 50- and 100-dirham notes, and denominations added to the holographic stripes on the 500- and 1,000-dirham notes.

Description: 50 AED – United Arab Emirates Dirham Size: 151 x 64 mm

Purple. Front: Arabic text; coat of arms; oryx (antelope) head with silver foil stamp. Back: English text; Saker falcon; Fort Jahili at Al Ain. Windowed security thread with demetalized UAE 50. Watermark: Saker falcon head with electrotype 50 and coffee pot. Printer: (Unknown). 151 x 64 mm. Paper.

Description: 100 AED – United Arab Emirates Dirham Size: 155 x 66 mm

Red. Front: Arabic text; coat of arms; Fahidi Fort in Dubai with silver foil stamp of castle tower. Back: English text; Saker falcon; Trade Centre Tower in Dubai. Windowed security thread with demetalized UAE 100. Watermark: Saker falcon head with electrotype 100and coffee pot. Printer: (Unknown). 155 x 66 mm. Paper.

Description: 200 AED – United Arab Emirates Dirham Size: 159 x 68 mm

Tan and gold. Front: Arabic text; coat of arms; Sheikh Zayed Sports City and Judicial Department and Sharia Court buildings in Abu Dhabi. Back: English text; Saker falcon; UAE Central Bank headquarters building in Abu Dhabi. Holographic stripe with denomination. Windowed security thread. Watermark: Saker falcon head with electrotype 200 and coffee pot. Printer: (Unknown). 159 x 68 mm. Paper.

Description: 500 AED – United Arab Emirates Dirham Size: 159 x 68 mm

Violet. Front: Arabic text; coat of arms; Saker falcon head. Back: English text; Saker falcon; Jumeirah Mosque in Dubai. Holographic stripe with denomination. Windowed security thread with demetalized UAE 500. Watermark: Saker falcon head with electrotype 500 and coffee pot. Printer: (Unknown). 159 x 68 mm. Paper.

Description: 1,000 AED – United Arab Emirates Dirham Size: 163 x 70 mm

Brown. Front: Arabic text; Saker falcon head as registration device; coat of arms; Al Hosn Palace (White Fort) in Abu Dhabi. Back: English text; Saker falcon; Abu Dhabi skyline with Corniche; Saker falcon head. Holographic stripe with denomination. Windowed security thread with demetalized UAE 1,000. Watermark: Saker falcon head with electrotype 1,000 and coffee pot. Printer: (Unknown). 163 x 70 mm. Paper.

1997 – 2007 Issues

These notes are like the preceding issues, but without the large denomination over the watermark area at front left.

Description: 5 AED – United Arab Emirates Dirham Size: 143 x 60 mm

Brown. Front: Arabic text; coat of arms; Blue Souk in Sharjah. Back: English text; Saker falcon; Bay of Khorfakkan in Fujairah; tower. Solid security thread with demetalized UAE 5. Watermark: Varieties. Printer: (Unknown). 143 x 60 mm. Paper.

Description: 10 AED – United Arab Emirates Dirham Size: 147 x 62 mm

Green. Front: Arabic text; coat of arms; traditional dagger (khanjar). Back: English text; Saker falcon; agricultural scene with date palm trees. Solid security thread with demetalized UAE 10. Watermark: Varieties. Printer: (Unknown). 147 x 62 mm. Paper.

Description: 20 AED – United Arab Emirates Dirham Size: 150 x 63 mm

Blue. Front: Arabic text; coat of arms; Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club building. Back: English text; Saker falcon; sama’a dhow with sail. Windowed security thread with demetalized UAE 20. Watermark: Varieties. Printer: (Unknown). 150 x 63 mm. Paper.

Description: 50 AED – United Arab Emirates Dirham Size: 151 x 64 mm

Purple. Front: Arabic text; coat of arms; oryx (antelope) head. Back: English text; Saker falcon; Fort Jahili at Al Ain. Windowed security thread with demetalized UAE 50. Watermark: Saker falcon head. Printer: (Unknown). 151 x 64 mm. Paper.

Description: 100 AED – United Arab Emirates Dirham Size: 155 x 66 mm

Red. Front: Arabic text; coat of arms; Fahidi Fort in Dubai. Back: English text; Saker falcon; Trade Centre Tower in Dubai. Windowed security thread with demetalized UAE 100. Watermark: Saker falcon head. Printer: (Unknown). 155 x 66 mm. Paper.

Description: 500 AED – United Arab Emirates Dirham Size: 159 x 68 mm

Violet. Front: Arabic text; coat of arms; Saker falcon head. Back: English text; Saker falcon; Jumeirah Mosque in Dubai. Holographic stripe. Windowed security thread with demetalized UAE 500. Watermark: Varieties. Printer: (Unknown). 159 x 68 mm. Paper.

Description: 1,000 AED – United Arab Emirates Dirham Size: 163 x 70 mm

Brown. Front: Arabic text; Saker falcon head as registration device; coat of arms; Al Hosn Palace (White Fort) in Abu Dhabi. Back: English text; Saker falcon; Abu Dhabi skyline with Corniche; Saker falcon head. Holographic stripe. Windowed security thread with demetalized UAE 1,000. Watermark: Saker falcon head. Printer: (Unknown). 163 x 70 mm. Paper.