Banknotes
On 7 May 1970, the Sultanate of Muscat and Oman issued banknotes in denominations of 100 baiza, ¼, ½, 1, 5 and 10 rial saidi. These were followed by notes for 100 baiza, ¼, ½, 1, 5 and 10 Omani rials issued by the Oman Currency Board on 18 November 1972. From 1977, the Central Bank of Oman has issued notes, with 20 and 50 rial notes introduced that, followed by 200 baisa notes in 1985. Notes currently circulating are:
| 1995 Series | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Image | Value | Main Colour | Description | ||
| Obverse | Reverse | Obverse | Reverse | ||
| 100 baisa | Green | Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said, irrigation canal | Verreaux eagle, white oryx | ||
| ½ rial | Brownish-purple | Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said, Bahla fortress | Al-Hazim fort, Nakhl fort | ||
| 1 rial | Purple | Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said, Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex | Omani Khanjar (dagger), silver bracelets and ornaments, dhows | ||
| 5 rials | Red | Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said, Sultan Qaboos University | Nizwa | ||
| 10 rials | Brown | Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said, Al-Nadha tower | Muttrah fort | ||
| 20 rials | Green | Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said, Central Bank of Oman building (Muscat) | Muscat Security Market, Rusayl industrial area | ||
| 50 rials | Pink & violet | Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said, Ministry of Finance and Economy Building (Muscat) | Cabinet building and Ministry of Finance and Industry building (Muscat) | ||
A new 1 rial note is now in circulation alongside the 1970 note which is still accepted. The new 1 rial note is red, similar to the 5 rial note. A new purple 20 rial note was issued in 2010 on the occasion of the 40th National Day.Both the old and the new notes are accepted. The 200 baisa note is now out of circulation.
Although the 100 baisa and 20 rial notes are both green, the former is considerably smaller, and thus the two are easily distinguishable.
Read more about this topic: Omani Rial