Muscat & Oman 1970 Proof Set, 6-Coins, KM# PS3

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Muscat & Oman 1970 Proof Set, 6-Coins, KM# PS3The Sultanate of Muscat and Oman, also known briefly as the State of Muscat and Oman during the rule of Timur ibn Faisal, was a sovereign state that encompassed the present-day Sultanate of Oman and parts of present-day United Arab Emirates and Gwadar, Pakistan, in the second half of the 19th century and 20th century. Ruled by the Busaid dynasty, it was established as a result of the partition of the Omani Empire upon the death of its last ruler Said ibn Sultan. The Sultanate transitioned into a new form of government after the palace coup of 23 July 1970 in which the sultan Said ibn Timur was immediately deposed in favor of his son Qaboos ibn Said.Until 1940, the Indian rupee and the Maria Theresa thaler (known locally as the rial due to its similar size to the Spanish eight-real coin) were the main currencies circulating in Muscat and Oman, as the state was then known, with Indian rupees circulating on the coast and thaler in the interior. In 1940, coins were introduced for use in Dhofar, followed, in 1946, by coins for use in Oman, and they were denominated in baisa. The Indian rupee and, from 1959, the Gulf rupee continued to circulate. On 6 June 1966, India devalued the Gulf rupee against the Indian rupee. Following the devaluation, several of the states still using the Gulf rupee adopted their own currencies. Oman continued to use the Gulf rupee until 1970, when it adopted the Saidi rial.In 7 May 1970 the Saidi rial (named after the House of Al Said) was introduced as the currency of Oman to replace the Gulf rupee. The Saidi rial was subdivided into 1000 baisa. The Omani rial replaced the Saidi rial on 11 November 1972. At that time, the currency became pegged to the US dollar instead of the pound sterling. The currency name was altered due to the regime change in 1970 and the subsequent change of the country's name. Since 1975, new coins have been issued with the country's name given as Oman.This proof set was issued in 1970 when the biaz came into use. The coins were made at the Royal Mint, Llantrisant, United Kingdom. 2,102 of these sets were made. It is in a clamshell type red presentation case with the Muscat and Oman coat of arms on the cover. The case is 4-1/2" square, and about 3/4" thick. The coins are all in individual Pliofilm (or similar) pouches, so they have been sealed since they were issued. The bottom interior of the case has indentations for each of the coins, with the location of the space for each coin indicated on the back of the certificate.All of the coins are round. The three bronze coins have smooth edges; and the three copper-nickel coins have reeded (or milled) edges. The denomination of the coins is in Baiza; which is also spelled Baisa, and which may be termed Baisa-Said to indicate the Sultan at the time.This table provides significant facts about the coins:Coin KM No. Composition Fineness Weight Diameter Finish Obverse 2 Baiza 36 Bronze N/A 1.75 grams 16mm Proof Coat of Arms 5 Baiza 37 Bronze N/A 3.10 grams 10mm Proof Coat of Arms 10 Baiza 38 Bronze N/A 4.70 grams 22.5mm Proof Coat of Arms 25 Baiza 39 Copper-Nickel N/A 2.90 grams 18mm Proof Coat of Arms 50 Baiza 40 Copper-Nickel N/A 6.49 grams 24mm Proof Coat of Arms 100 Baiza 41 Copper-Nickel N/A 11.25 grams 28mm Proof Coat of ArmsBoth the obverse and reverse sides of the coins have the same designs. The reverse sides of the coins have different Arabic numerals to indicate the denomination.The obverse sides of all the coins contain the Coat of Arms in the center. Around the edge, in Arabic characters is (as translated) "Sa'id bin Taimur, Sultan of Muscat and Oman".The reverse sides of all the coins contain the denomination the the center in Arabic numerals. At the left and right sides of the denomination are small replications of the coat of arms. At the top, by the border, is the denomination in Arabic script; and at the bottom, by the border is the year "1390" in Arabic numerals. The year is according to the Islamic calendar, and it is 1970 acc... read more

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