Obverse. Photo © Central Bank of the UAE
  • 5000 Dirhams 1996, X# M1, United Arab Emirates, Zayed, National Day of United Arab Emirates, 25th Anniversary
  • 5000 Dirhams 1996, X# M1, United Arab Emirates, Zayed, National Day of United Arab Emirates, 25th Anniversary
Description

The UAE National Day is celebrated annually on December 2 to commemorate the formation of the United Arab Emirates. Ras Al Khaimah, the seventh emirate, joined the federation on February 10, 1972, making it the last emirate to join.

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan (1918–2004) was an Emirati leader, credited with founding the United Arab Emirates. He governed the Eastern Region before becoming Abu Dhabi's ruler in 1966 and later the UAE's first president until his passing in 2004. Revered as the "Father of the Nation," he played a pivotal role in uniting the seven emirates. Zayed succeeded his brother as Abu Dhabi's ruler after a peaceful coup in 1966.

Obverse

Depicts a portrait of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyan facing right, wearing a traditional cloak and headpiece enclosed by inscriptions in Arabic "His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan" above and "President of the United Arab Emirates" below.

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.

صاحب السمو الشيخ زايد بن سلطان آل نهيان
رئيس دولة الامارات العربيّة المتحدة

Reverse

Depicts the emblem of UAE (1973-2008) within a circle, dates on both sides enclosed by inscriptions of the event in Arabic and English.

The emblem of the United Arab Emirates was officially adopted on December 9, 1973, and modified in 2008. It features a golden falcon (Hawk of Quraish) with a central disk displaying the UAE flag and seven stars, representing the federation's seven emirates. The falcon's seven tail feathers also symbolize the emirates. The falcon grasps a red parchment with the federation's name in Kufic script and a dhow on its chest.

العيد الوطني الخامس والعشرون
1996 ١٩٩٦
الامارات العربية المتحدة
THE TWENTY FIFTH ANNIVERSARY

Edge
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Non-circulating)
Material Gold
Fineness 0.916
Weight 200 g
Diameter 65 mm
Thickness -
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
Royal Mint

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