QAR – Qatar Riyal
Monetary System
19.05.1973: 1 Qatari riyal (QAR) = 100 dirham
2022 Numismatic Products
On 9 November 2022, the Central Bank of Qatar unveiled a 22-riyal polymer note commemorating the 2022 FIFA (Federation Internationale de Football Association) World Cup taking place in Qatar from 20 November to 18 December 2022. The strange denomination is an homage to the 22nd World Cup, which coincidentally occurs in 2022. Notes costs 75 riyals from currency exchange offices and banks, but retain legal tender face value of 22 riyals.
Description: 22.00 QAR – Qatar Riyal
Brown, green, blue, orange, and purple. Front: Arabic text; World Cup trophy; coat of arms with dhow, palm trees, and crossed swords; FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 logo; skyline of modern and old buildings; Lusail Iconic Stadium in Lusail. Back: English text; Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor; dhow (bateel) and Al Zubara Fort; earth; FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 logo; World Cup trophy. No security thread. Watermark: None. Printer: (Unknown). Dimensions unknown. Polymer.
2020 Issues
On 13 December 2020, the Central Bank of Qatar unveiled its fifth series of banknotes, including a 200-riyal denomination for the first time. A total of 8 billion riyals’ worth of notes began entering circulation on 18 December 2020, on the occasion of Qatar National Day. The designs on the fronts of the new banknotes share a common theme based on traditional geometric patterns, the State of Qatar flag, Qatari flora (Dreama), and a gate representing historical Qatari architecture. Preceding issues will circulate in parallel until 19 March 2021, at which point they lose their legal tender status and may be redeemed only at banks for a period not to exceed 10 years.
Each note has a 6-digit serial number and fractional alphanumeric prefix (999,999 notes per prefix). The prefix letter corresponds to the denomination, and the number starts at 1 before advancing consecutively over time.
Description: 1.00 QAR – Qatar Riyal Size: 134 x 66 mm
Green, blue, orange, and purple. Front: Arabic text; denomination as registration device; coat of arms with dhow, palm trees, and crossed swords; gateway; Qatari flag; Dreama flower in green SPARK Orbital. Back: English text; Oyster and Pearl monument; dhow (bateel). Windowed security thread with demetalized QCB 1. Watermark: Coat of arms, electrotype 1, and Cornerstones. Printer: (De La Rue). 134 x 66 mm. Paper.
Description: 5.00 QAR – Qatar Riyal Size: 140 x 67.5 mm
Brown, black, orange, and red. Front: Arabic text; denomination as registration device; coat of arms with dhow, palm trees, and crossed swords; gateway; Qatari flag; Dreama flower in gold SPARK Orbital. Back: English text; two horses, one camel, three oryxes, hair tent (buryuut hajar), and tree. Holographic PUREIMAGE windowed security thread with demetalized 5. Watermark: Coat of arms, electrotype 5, and Cornerstones. Printer: (De La Rue). 140 x 67.5 mm. Paper.
Description: 10.00 QAR – Qatar Riyal Size: 146 x 69 mm
Blue, green, orange, and purple. Front: Arabic text; denomination as registration device; coat of arms with dhow, palm trees, and crossed swords; gateway; Qatari flag; Dreama flower in purple SPARK Orbital. Back: English text; Sidra Medicine and Education City (Qatar Foundation); Lusail Stadium; Torch Tower (Aspire Zone). Holographic PUREIMAGE windowed security thread with demetalized 10. Watermark: Coat of arms, electrotype 10, and Cornerstones. Printer: (De La Rue). 146 x 69 mm. Paper.
Description: 50.00 QAR – Qatar Riyal Size: 152 x 70.5 mm
Red, pink, purple, and yellow. Front: Arabic text; denomination as registration device; Enhanced Gemini holographic patch; coat of arms with dhow, palm trees, and crossed swords; gateway; Qatari flag; Dreama flower in gold SPARK Orbital. Back: English text; Qatar Central Bank building and Ministry of Finance building. Red IGNITE windowed security thread with demetalized QCB 50. Watermark: Coat of arms, electrotype 50, and Cornerstones. Printer: (De La Rue). 152 x 70.5 mm. Paper.
Along with the 100- and 200-riyal notes, this is the first circulating notes in the world to use IGNITE windowed security thread.
Description: 100.00 QAR – Qatar Riyal Size: 158 x 72 mm
Teal, blue, orange, and yellow. Front: Arabic text; denomination as registration device; Enhanced Gemini holographic patch; coat of arms with dhow, palm trees, and crossed swords; gateway; Qatari flag; Dreama flower in SPARK Orbital. Back: English text; Abu Al Qubaib Mosque. Green IGNITE windowed security thread with demetalized QCB 100. Watermark: Coat of arms, electrotype 100, and Cornerstones. Printer: (De La Rue). 158 x 72 mm. Paper.
Along with the 50- and 200-riyal notes, this is the first circulating notes in the world to use IGNITE windowed security thread.
Description: 200.00 QAR – Qatar Riyal Size:
Brown, orange, and purple. Front: Arabic text; denomination as registration device; Enhanced Gemini holographic patch; coat of arms with dhow, palm trees, and crossed swords; gateway; Qatari flag; Dreama flower in gold SPARK Orbital. Back: English text; Museum of Islamic Art; Qatar National Museum; Palace of Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al Thani. Copper IGNITE windowed security thread with demetalized QCB 200. Watermark: Coat of arms, electrotype 200, and Cornerstones. Printer: (De La Rue). 164 x 73. Paper.
Along with the 50- and 100-riyal notes, this is the first circulating notes in the world to use IGNITE windowed security thread.
Description: 500.00 QAR – Qatar Riyal Size: 170 x 75 mm
Violet, purple, red, and green. Front: Arabic text; denomination as registration device; Enhanced Gemini holographic patch; coat of arms with dhow, palm trees, and crossed swords; gateway; Qatari flag; Dreama flower in purple SPARK Orbital. Back: English text; Ras Laffan LNG refinery; LNG tanker ship. NEXUS stripe with demetalized 500 and coat of arms. Watermark: Coat of arms, electrotype 500, and Cornerstones. Printer: (De La Rue). 170 x 75 mm. Paper.
This is the first note in the world to use NEXUS, a micro optic embedded stripe.
Qatar Monetary Agency
The Qatar Monetary Agency (QMA) was established by decree 7 of 1973, and on 9 May 1973, Qatar and Dubai signed an agreement terminating the Qatar-Dubai Currency Agreement of 1966. The agency took over the assets and liabilities of the Qatar-Dubai Currency Board on 19 May 1973, the date when the former issued its first series of notes. Notes from both issuing authorities circulated in parallel for 90 days, after which time the older notes were withdrawn.
Outmoded Notes
2008 – 2015 Issues
On 15 September 2008, the Qatar Central Bank issued a new series of four notes—1, 5, 10, and 50 riyals—which have symbols along the left front edge that facilitate their use by the sight impaired. New 100- and 500-riyal notes are in the works, but because these denominations were upgraded in 2007 with the addition of the 18-mm wide Optiks security thread, bank officials did not feel the need to update them.
The prefixes on these notes resume where the preceding issues end.
Description: 1.00 QAR – Qatar Riyal Size: 134 x 66 mm
Blue, brown, and purple. Front: Arabic text; coat of arms with dhow, palm trees, and crossed swords. Back: English text; three native birds: crested lark, Eurasian bee eater, and lesser sand plover. Solid security thread and windowed security thread with demetalized QCB 1. Watermark: Falcon head with electrotype ١ over 1. Printer: (De La Rue). 134 x 66 mm. Paper.
Description: 5.00 QAR – Qatar Riyal Size: 140 x 67.5 mm
Green. Front: Arabic text; coat of arms with dhow, palm trees, and crossed swords. Back: English text; National Museum building; oryx and camel. Solid security thread and windowed security thread with demetalized QCB 5. Watermark: Falcon head with electrotype ٥ over 5. Printer: (De La Rue). 140 x 67.5 mm. Paper.
Description: 10.00 QAR – Qatar Riyal Size: 146 x 69 mm
Orange and brown. Front: Arabic text; coat of arms with dhow, palm trees, and crossed swords. Back: English text; dhow; sand dune at Khor al-Udeid. Solid security thread and windowed security thread with demetalized QCB 10. Watermark: Falcon head with electrotype ١٠ over 10. Printer: (De La Rue). 146 x 69 mm. Paper.
Description: 50.00 QAR – Qatar Riyal Size: 152 x 70.5 mm
Pink, purple, blue. Front: Arabic text; holographic patch; coat of arms with dhow, palm trees, and crossed swords. Back: English text; Qatar Central Bank building; Oyster and Pearl monument. Holographic stripe. Windowed security thread with demetalized QCB 50 in ovals. Watermark: Falcon head, electrotype ٥٠ over 50, and Cornerstones. Printer: (De La Rue). 152 x 70.5 mm. Paper.
2007 Issues
These 100- and 500-riyal notes are like the preceding issues, but with the designs slightly shifted to make room for Optiks—an 18-mm wide demetalized security thread with a clear polymer oval aperture—which replaces the windowed security thread used on the older notes.
Each note has a 6-digit serial number and fractional alphanumeric prefix (999,999 notes per prefix). The prefix letter corresponds to the denomination, and the number starts at 1 before advancing consecutively over time.
Description: 100.00 QAR – Qatar Riyal Size: 158 x 72 mm
Green and purple. Front: Arabic text; holographic patch; coat of arms with dhow, palm trees, and crossed swords. Back: English text; Mosque of the Sheikhs with minaret; al- Shaqab Institute building. Solid and Optiks security threads. Watermark: Falcon head with electrotype ١٠٠ over 100 and Cornerstones. Printer: (De La Rue). 158 x 72 mm. Paper.
Description: 500.00 QAR – Qatar Riyal Size: 164 x 73.5 mm
Blue and violet. Front: Arabic text; holographic patch; coat of arms with dhow, palm trees, and crossed swords. Back: English text; Royal Palace; Al-Wajbah Fort; falcon head. Solid and Optiks security threads. Watermark: Falcon head with electrotype ٥٠٠ over 500. Printer: (De La Rue). 164 x 73.5 mm. Paper.
