Obverse. Image Courtesy of Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS.com)
  • 5 Dinars 1981, KM# 18, Kuwait, Jaber III, National Day of the State of Kuwait, 20th Anniversary
  • 5 Dinars 1981, KM# 18, Kuwait, Jaber III, National Day of the State of Kuwait, 20th Anniversary
Description

Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmad al-Sabah (1926–2006) of the al-Sabah dynasty, was the Emir of Kuwait and Commander of the Military of Kuwait; serving from 31 December 1977 until his death. He had previously served as minister of finance and Economy from 1962 until 1965, when he was appointed prime minister prior to becoming Kuwait's ruler.

Kuwait National day (يوم الكويت الوطني) is celebrated on 25th Feb every Year with vigor and enthusiasm, it is considered the most remarkable day in the Arab World. Kuwaitis celebrated their first Independence Day on June 19, 1961.

Obverse

Depicts the ship's wheel, fishing net and Sheikh Abdullah Al-Jabir Palace surrounded by the inscription in Arabic above and English below.

Sheikh Abdullah Al-Jabir Palace was an early 20th-century coral stone and mud brick palatial residence. It incorporates Persian, French, Arabian and Indian architectural influences. Later it served as Kuwait's first national museum. The building was severely damaged during the 1990 Iraqi invasion of Kuwait.

الذكرى العشرون للعيد الوطنى لدولة الكويت
25 ٢٥
20
1981 ١٩۸١
20th Anniversary of the National Day of the State of Kuwait

Reverse

Depicts the oil rig, Kuwait Towers, satellite dish and Tareq Rajab Museum, denomination below and date above in Arabic and English.

The Kuwait Towers, situated on a peninsula in Kuwait City overlooking the Persian Gulf, consist of three slender towers. They were the final addition to the Kuwait Water Towers system, comprising 34 towers, with one dedicated to equipment storage. Unlike the previous groups, the Kuwait Towers were constructed in a distinct style. Officially opened in March 1979, they have become an iconic symbol of modern Kuwait. Following a maintenance period from March 2012 to March 8, 2016, marked by a grand fireworks display upon reopening, the towers are now managed by the state-owned Touristic Enterprises Company. Notably, the Main Tower hosted the TEDxKuwaitCity event in 2018 and 2019.

The Tareq Rajab Museum, boasting a collection amassed over six decades, features over thirty thousand artifacts, with approximately ten thousand on permanent exhibit. Despite often being referred to as a singular entity, the museum's collections are spread across two adjacent locations. The original museum, established in 1980, houses Islamic manuscripts, ceramics, metalwork, including the Bronze Door of Sultan Barquq, arms and armor, silver folk jewelry, textiles, costumes, musical instruments, and orientalist artworks. Conversely, the Tareq Rajab Museum of Islamic Calligraphy, founded in 2007, showcases Arabic script mediums, including manuscripts by renowned calligraphers such as Yaqut Al-Musta’simi and contemporary calligraphy and art, alongside decorated ceramics, metalwork, glass, and textiles, including significant pieces like curtains from the Holy Ka'aba and the shrine of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in Medina.

١٩٦١ ١٩٨١
1961 1981
5 DINARS خمسَة دَنانير

Edge
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Non-circulating)
Material Silver
Fineness 0.925
Weight 28.276 g
Diameter 38.6 mm
Thickness 2.56 mm
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
Royal Mint

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