Bahrain: Three-Dimensional Design Features on Latest Silver Proof Coins Marking King’s Silver Jubilee

Although under the rule of the Al-Kalifa dynasty since 1783, the sovereignty of Bahrain, a small island nation off the coast of Saudi Arabia in the Gulf of Persia was part of many different regional powers during the 18 and 19^th centuries. In 1860, the-then Sheikh of Bahrain agreed to place his country under the protection of the Ottomans and in 1868, the United Kingdom officially recognised the Al-Kalifa dynasty as the rulers of the country. From 1895 the country came under de-facto rule of the United Kingdom and claims of sovereignty from Persia were mediated by the League of Nations in favour of Britain in 1927. By this time, Bahrain’s noted pearl diving industry was expanding and providing needed income for the country but in 1932, oil was discovered which completely transformed Bahrain.

In 1970, an independence survey which was akin to a national referendum to determine if Bahrainis preferred full independence or union with the Iranian nation. The overwhelming majority of the people made their wish known to gain recognition as a full independent and sovereign State. As such, the United Nations Security Council unanimously passed a resolution on the 11th May 1970 in recognition of the referendum and the same month, the Shah of Iran renounced his country’s claim to the island. The country subsequently became independent from the United Kingdom in August 1971 as the Emirate of Bahrain.

Hamad bin Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa (born 1950) succeeded his father, Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa (1931 – 1999) Bahrain’s first Emir on his death and was proclaimed the second Emir. At the time of Hamad bin Isa’s accession to the throne, Bahrain was officially an Emirate or, the equivalent to that of a Principality. In 2002, Hamad bin Isa elevated the country to the status of a kingdom and declared himself the first King of Bahrain. As Bahrain’s head of state, his defined powers include appointing the prime minister and the cabinet, holding supreme command over the Defence Force, chairing the Higher Judicial Council, appointing the parliament's upper house and dissolving its elected lower house. Hamad bin Isa’s heir is his eldest son, Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad and second in line is the King’s grandson, Prince Isa bin Salman.

The design is generated from a process which integrates three-dimensional technology. The strike of the coin also benefits from an ultra-high relief production process. The obverse side includes a front-facing image of HM King Hamad bin Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa and generated from an official photograph taken in 2020. Above the primary portrait is Arabic calligraphic script indicating the King’s 25^th anniversary and to the left, the official insignia of the Silver Jubilee containing the western numeral 25. The reverse side features an image of the Al- Sakhir Palace, located in the Sakhir desert region of western Bahrain. Built between 1870 and 1901, it was once the primary residence of Bahraini Emirs until 1927. After extensive renovation during the 1990’s, it is today used as a focal point for national celebrations. Above the primary design is Arabic calligraphic script indicating the name of the country and anniversary of the King. Both the obverse and reverse designs are decorated with small diamond shapes around the rim which are applied with red colour.

The coins have no determined face value per-say but are released from the Central Bank and regarded as coin and not medallic. Available from the 14^th January, the first consignment of 500 coins will be retailed through the Central Bank and by appointment. The sale of the second consignment will be announced at a later date. For additional information, please visit the website of the Central Bank’s Money Museum.

The Central Bank of Bahrain have announced all proceeds of the sale of the coins are to be donated to charitable causes and funds under the auspices of Bahrain’s Royal Humanitarian Foundation.