Obverse. Photo © NumisCorner.com
  • 500 Fils 1968, KM# 8, Bahrain, Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, Opening of Isa Town
  • 500 Fils 1968, KM# 8, Bahrain, Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, Opening of Isa Town
Description

Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa (1933–1999) was the 1st emir of Bahrain from 1961 until his death. Born in Jasra, he became emir upon the death of his father, Salman ibn Hamad. During his 38 years as Emir, the economic transformation of Bahrain into a modern nation and a key financial center in the Persian Gulf area took place. Nevertheless, critics note that he also dissolved Parliament, giving absolute power to the royal family.

Isa Town is a middle class town located in Bahrain, in the north central part of the country. The name Isa refers to Isa ibn Salman Al Khalifah, the ruler of Bahrain from 1961 to 1999.

Obverse

Depicts a portrait of Sheikh Isa bin Salman facing left wearing a traditional cloak and headpiece.

The traditional men's headwear in some Middle Eastern areas consists of three components: a knitted skull-cap known as the "keffiyeh," (also referred to as a ghutrah, shemagh, or ḥaṭṭah) a large cotton headscarf, typically plain white or with a red-and-white checkered pattern, called the "ghutra," and a black cord named the "agal," which secures the ghutra in place.

Engraver: Michael Rizzello

Reverse

Depicts a crowned Bahrain coat of arms within an octagon surrounded by the state name and date on both sides in Arabic and English inside a circle, with inscription in Arabic above and English below, with denomination on both sides.

The current coat of arms of Bahrain is a coat of arms that was originally designed in 1932 by Charles Belgrave, the British governor and adviser to the then-Sheik of Bahrain. The design has undergone slight modifications since then, namely in 1971 in 2002 when mantling and the indentations of the chief were modified respectively, but the influence of the original design is still clearly visible in the modern blazon.

مدينة عيسى
البحرين
1388-1968 ١٣٨٨-١٩٦٨
٥٠٠ فلس
500 FILS
BAHRAIN
ISA TOWN

Edge
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Non-circulating)
Material Silver
Fineness 0.800
Weight 18.3 g
Diameter 34.5 mm
Thickness -
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Alt # KM# PS2
Mint
Royal Mint

Related coins

State

Opening of Isa Town

Silver, 18.1 g, ⌀ 34.54 mm
State

Opening of Isa Town

Gold, 16 g, ⌀ 28.5 mm