United Arab Emirates 1 Dirham

The United Arab Emirates 1 Dirham coin of 1973 (AH 1393) is one of the earliest circulating coins issued after the UAE’s formation in 1971, making it a historically significant piece that marks the birth of the nation’s unified currency. The 1973 issue belongs to the large‑type copper‑nickel series, minted by the Royal Mint (UK) with a substantial mintage of 13 million pieces.

🇦🇪 Overview

• Country: United Arab Emirates

• Year: 1973 (AH 1393)

• Denomination: 1 Dirham

• Series: Large‑type circulation coin (1973–1989)

• Mint: Royal Mint, Llantrisant, United Kingdom

• Mintage: 13,000,000

• Catalog: KM #6.1

This coin represents the UAE’s transition from disparate emirate currencies to a unified national monetary system shortly after independence.

🪙 Physical Specifications

• Composition: Copper‑nickel

• Weight: 11.3–11.4 g

• Diameter: 28.5 mm

• Thickness: 2.3 mm

• Shape: Round

• Edge: Reeded

• Orientation: Medal alignment (↑↑)

This makes it one of the heavier and larger dirham coins ever issued, later replaced by smaller types.

🔍 Obverse Design

The obverse features:

• The denomination “1 Dirham” in Arabic numerals

• Surrounded by the inscription “الإمارات العربية المتحدة” (United Arab Emirates)

• Lettering appears in both Arabic and Latin scripts

This clean, text‑focused design emphasizes clarity and national identity.

🔍 Reverse Design

The reverse displays:

• A dallah, the traditional Arabic coffee pot

• The dual date 1393–1973 in Arabic numerals

The dallah is a powerful cultural symbol of hospitality and heritage across the Arabian Peninsula.

🏛 Historical Context

The 1973 1 Dirham coin was issued during the UAE’s earliest years as a unified nation:

• The UAE was founded in 1971, ending British oversight.

• By 1973, the country introduced its own national currency, replacing the Qatar–Dubai Riyal and Bahraini Dinar in different emirates.

• This coin reflects the first generation of UAE national coinage, symbolizing unity and economic independence.

The Royal Mint’s involvement ensured high production quality during the UAE’s formative monetary years.

UK Size	US Size	EU Size	Inside Diameter (mm)	Inside Circumference (mm)
A	0.5	38	12.04	37.8
B	1	39	12.45	39.1
C	1.5	40	12.85	40.4
D	2	41	13.26	41.7
E	2.5	42	13.67	43.0
F	3	44	14.07	44.2
G	3.5	45	14.48	45.5
H	4	46	14.88	46.8
I	4.5	47	15.29	48.0
J	5	49	15.49	48.7
K	5.5	50	15.90	50.0
L	6	51	16.31	51.3
M	6.5	52	16.71	52.5
N	7	54	17.12	53.8
O	7.5	55	17.53	55.1
P	8	56	17.93	56.3
Q	8.5	57	18.34	57.6
R	9	59	18.75	58.9
S	9.5	60	19.15	60.2
T	10	61	19.56	61.4
U	10.5	62	19.96	62.7
V	11	64	20.37	64.0
W	11.5	65	20.78	65.3
X	12	66	21.18	66.6
Y	12.5	67	21.59	67.9
Z	13	68	21.99	69.1
Z+1	13.5	69	22.40	70.4
Z+2	14	70	22.81	71.7
Z+3	14.5	71	23.21	72.9
Z+4	15	72	23.62	74.2