This World Money Monday, we want to recognize the country of Oman and the late Sultan Qaboos bin Said. After the recent passing of the longest reigning Sultan, we thought it’d only be appropriate to focus on all the wonders of Oman. Over the past decades, Sultan Qaboos brought a lot of growth and prosperity to the country of Oman.
History on World Money Monday country: Oman
Officially the Sultanate of Oman, Oman is located on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia however it is considered an Arabic country. The Geography is extremely diverse, ranging from mountains to several coastlines. They receive very little rainfall throughout the year (about 4 inches a year) and this is mainly in the mountains. Oman’s geographical importance is a staple trading hub that secured their trade lanes in the Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean. Oman’s control influence has fluctuated over the past centuries.
Oman blog states, “From the late 17th century, the Omani Sultanate was a powerful empire, vying with Portugal and the UK for influence in the Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean. At its peak in the 19th century, Omani influence or control extended across the Strait of Hormuz to modern-day Iran and Pakistan, and as far south as Zanzibar. When its power declined in the 20th century, the sultanate came under the influence of the United Kingdom. For over 300 years, the relations built between the two empires were based on mutual benefits.”
Oman, October, 2009
Oman 1 Rial Banknote from 2015
Their banknotes are heavily influenced with different animals native to the country and historical monuments around the country. Most of the banknotes, especially the later series have the Sultan on them. In the Oman 1 rial banknote listed above, on the obverse there is a photo of the coat of arms with crossed swords, Al Alam Palace in Muscat, and a khanjar as a registration device. On the reverse there are flowers, Desert white butterflies also known as Pontia glauconome, the 45th National Day logo and lastly Sultan Qaboos University in Al Khoudh in the Muscat Governorate. For Security features, there is a two-toned Window security thread and a watermark of the Sultan himself. A very beautiful banknote with a lot of color and detail.
Goodbye to a man that stood for peace, Sultan Qaboos bin Said
On Friday, January 11th, 2020 the Royal Court announced Sultan Qaboos had passed away the previous day. While he was Sultan, Qaboos implemented several policies that reflected modernization and brought an end to Oman’s international isolation. His reign also brought an end to slavery, the end to the Dhofar Rebellion and promoting of Oman’s Constitution. Because of this, Oman saw a rise in development and living standards throughout the country. He named his cousin Haitham bin Tariq Al Said as his heir.
Banknote World’s Personal Goodbye
On Friday, January 10th, Sultan Quaboos passed away at the age of 79. Sultan Qaboos was the longest reigning leader of the modern Arab world, ruling since 1970. From Banknote World, we send our deepest condolences and wish continued prosperity and peace to the country of Oman.
Banknote World, 2020