One of the last coins from Muscat and Oman

History

Located in the far southeast of the Arabian Peninsula, Muscat and Oman (Today: The Sultanate of Oman) overlooks a 3,165-kilometre coastline. This stretches from the Arabian Sea and the gateway to the Indian Ocean in the southeast, to the Sea of Oman and ultimately Musandam Peninsula in the north, where it commands the strategic Strait of Hormuz—the entrance to the Arabian Gulf.

Oman shares land borders with the Republic of Yemen to the southwest, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the west, and the United Arab Emirates to the north. The country has several islands in the Sea of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz, such as “Salama Wa Banatiha” Salama and Her Daughters, as well as islands in the Arabian Sea, including Masirah Island and Al Hallaniyat Islands.

Oman is predominantly located within hot, arid zones, though its southern reaches are influenced by tropical climatic conditions. Thanks to this location, the Sultanate of Oman commands one of the oldest and most significant maritime trade routes in the world—the sea passage between the Arabian Gulf and the Indian Ocean. Land caravan routes across the Arabian Peninsula also converged here, connecting the western, eastern, northern, and southern parts of the region. The country covers a total area of 309,500 square kilometres.

Muscat and Oman have a long history. Archaeological research has found evidence of civilisation in the Sultanate as long ago as 3,000 years BC.

By 2,500 years BC the region was renowned for its metalworking, with traders in reed boats voyaging from Oman to what is now Pakistan and Iraq. A lucrative trade in frankincense with ancient Egypt, Rome, Jerusalem and Bethlehem, both overland and by sea, saw the creation of ports like Sumhuram where the Queen of Sheba had a palace.

After Oman embraced Islam in the 7th century, the country became a dominant maritime power with trade routes extending as far as Africa to the south, and India and China to the east.

Throughout its long history Oman has never been a colony. It has always maintained its essential sovereignty and independence, even if at certain periods foreign powers controlled some coastal areas in a bid to protect their trade routes.

In the 16th century Muscat was seized by Portugal, which held the city until 1650. Following their expulsion, Oman expanded its influence down the coast of East Africa. For a time, Zanzibar became Oman’s capital and the Sultan’s main palace was located there.

During the 18th century Ahmad ibn Said drove out Persian invaders and became the elected Imam, establishing the dynasty that still rules Oman today.

Through the late 1700s and 1800s, Oman signed friendship treaties with Britain, France, the Netherlands and the United States.

The discovery and exploitation of oil in the 1920s and 30s marked a new era for Oman, but it wasn’t until the 1970s that the country experienced a period of rapid development with oil revenues invested in education, health, welfare and a modern infrastructure.

Muscat and Oman

(View of Muscat from YouShouldGoHere.com).

When Said bin Sultan died in 1856 without appointing an heir, the Omani Empire as it was at the time was split. One son became ruler of independent Zanzibar. Another became ruler of “Muscat and Oman”. The Sultanate of Muscat and Oman (Arabic: سلطنة مسقط وعمان‎ Salṭanat Masqaṭ wa-‘Umān) encompassed the present-day Sultanate of Oman and parts of present-day United Arab Emirates and Gwadar, Pakistan. The country lasted in this form (with minor changes) until 1970.

Today, Muscat is the capital of Oman. The city boasts a rich history that spans thousands of years. Its strategic location on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula made it a meeting point for various cultures and civilizations.

Obverse

The obverse contains the national arms of Muscat and Oman, with the ruler’s name, “Sa’id bin Taimur”, above and title “Sultan of Muscat and Oman” below.

The National Emblem consists of a sheathed Khanjar (a traditional curved dagger) and belt, superimposed on two crossed swords.

It originates from the middle of the eighteenth century when it was adopted as the royal crest of the Al Bu Said dynasty and subsequently became the national emblem.

The swords and dagger represent the traditional weapons of the Omani people. The Khanjar and belt are still worn by Omani men as part of ceremonial dress on formal occasions.

The design is still the national emblem of Oman today, and can be found in the top left corner of the country’s flag. While the flag of Muscat and Oman was plain red, the modern-day flag of Oman “is rectangular and consists of three horizontal bands of white, green and red, with a vertical red band on the left (hoist) side that contains the National Emblem of Oman in white.”

Reverse

The reverse of the coin features the value in text above and Eastern Arabic numerals in the centre. The date, 1970 is below.

In 1946, the country introduced the “Saidi Rial”. 200 Baiza / Baisa = 1 Rial. In 1970, this was superseded by the “New Saidi Rial” in which 1000 Baisa = 1 Rial.

When the country changed to “Oman”, the currency changed (back) to the title “Saidi Rial”. It kept the same denominations, with changes to the country name on the coins in 1971. In 1972, it was replaced with the “Rial”, still at 1000 Baisa = 1 Rial. The designs on the new coins are similar, and are in use to the present time.