United Arab Emirates, 50 fils, 1393 AH (1973 AD)

My mother found this one for me. It’s old, from the 14th Century… Muslim century that is.

United Arab Emirates, 50 fils, 1393 AH (1973 AD) (KM #5)

In 1971, seven emirates on the southern shore of the Persian Gulf united into one nation, now known collectively as the UAE. They adopted the dirham as their currency, which, like many Arab nations, is divided not into 100 subunits but rather 1,000 subunits known as fils. This coin is 50 fils, which is akin to our American nickel. At current exchange rates, 50 fils is worth USD $0.014. I wonder how this coin came into US circulation for my mother to find in her pocket change. Did it ride home in the pocket of a tourist fresh from the 21st Century Las Vegas that we call Dubai? Was it brought here by a US soldier home from the Gulf? Or did it simply masquerade as a US quarter? I’ve got my money on the latter.

Mintage is 8,400,000
Metal Copper-nickel
Weight 6.57 g
Diameter 24.85 mm
Thickness 1.79 mm
Shape Round
Orientation Medal alignment ↑↑
Demonetized yes

France, 1 franc, 1973

It’s another French franc, similar to yesterday’s coin.

France, 1 franc, 1973 (KM #925.1)

This is the “normal” French franc that was made between 1960 and 2001, alongside which yesterday’s commemorative franc is meant to circulate. The sower design dates back to the 1890s, and has become a national emblem of France; the sower is still depicted on some French euro coins. Mintage is 70,000,000.

Metal Nickel
Weight 6 g
Diameter 24 mm
Thickness 1.79 mm
Engraver O. Roty (reverse)
Shape Round
Orientation Coin alignment
Demonetized 02-17-2002

United Kingdom, 10 pence, 1973

Seems like I’ve hit a British vein in the bag lately. I hope I’m getting the common stuff out of the way early on.

United Kingdom, 10 pence, 1973 (KM #912)

When the UK decimalized, the new 10 pence coin matched the size and weight of the old 2 shillings coin. The diameter of the 10 pence coin was reduced by 4mm in 1992, so this large-size coin won’t circulate in the UK, but its still legal tender and worth about 16 cents USD. Mintage is 152,174,000.

Metal Copper-nickel
Weight 11.22 g
Diameter 28.37 mm
Thickness 2.27 mm
Engravers Arnold Machin (obverse)
Christopher Ironside (reverse)
Shape Round
Orientation Medal alignment