Obverse. Photo © Central Bank of the UAE
  • 1500 Dirhams 2004, United Arab Emirates, Khalifa, Death of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan
  • 1500 Dirhams 2004, United Arab Emirates, Khalifa, Death of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan
Description

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.

Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan (1948–2022), the UAE's second president and ruler of Abu Dhabi from November 2004 to May 2022, was the eldest son of the UAE's first president, Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. He took on a significant role in the late 1990s due to his father's health issues and officially became Abu Dhabi's leader in 2004. His tenure saw cultural and academic growth, including the Louvre Abu Dhabi and Etihad Airways. Under his leadership, the UAE became a major economic power. Known for his pro-Western stance, he strengthened ties with the US and Israel.

Obverse

Depicts a portrait of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyan facing right, wearing a traditional cloak and headpiece enclosed by inscriptions in Arabic "RIP His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan" above and "Founder of the United Arab Emirates" below and dates of birth and year of issue in both sides.

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.

المغفور له بإذن الله تعالى الشيخ زايد بن سلطان آل نهيان
١٩١٨ ٢٠٠٤
مؤسس دولة الامارات العربية المتحدة

Reverse

Depicts a general view of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque with four minarets, a large courtyard, three big domes, and small others, the name of the mosque below.

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is located in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. It is the largest mosque in the country and serves as the main place of worship for daily Islamic prayers. A smaller replica of this mosque exists in Surakarta, Indonesia. Constructed between 1994 and 2007, the Grand Mosque was inaugurated in December 2007. The building complex measures approximately 290 by 420 meters (950 by 1,380 feet), covering over 12 hectares (30 acres), excluding exterior landscaping and parking. Its main axis is rotated about 12° south of true west to align with the Kaaba in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

مسجد الشيخ زايد

Edge
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Non-circulating)
Material Gold
Fineness 0.9166
Weight 60 g
Diameter 42.45 mm
Thickness -
Shape round
Alignment Medal

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Death of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan

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