1 Dinar KWT Banknote (Liberation Issue (1991–2001)) 2001

1 Dinar Kuwaiti Dinar (Issued 2001)

Surviving examples of the 2001 Kuwaiti Liberation Commemorative Dinar are thought to number in the tens of thousands at most, yet genuinely uncirculated specimens in pristine condition have become increasingly scarce as the decade since withdrawal has seen many notes damaged, discarded, or lost to time. Issued strictly as a commemorative piece to mark the tenth anniversary of Kuwait’s liberation on 26 February 1991, the note was never intended for everyday circulation, which has shaped both its survival pattern and the intense interest it attracts from those who document the political and monetary history of the Gulf region. Its status as a withdrawn legal tender instrument that commemorates one of the most significant events in modern Kuwaiti history — the end of the Iraqi occupation — ensures it remains a document of profound historical weight.

On the front, the note is printed on polymer substrate and presented in a predominantly pale lavender and blue colour scheme, with intricate geometric and guilloché patterning filling the background across the entire face. To the left, a striking oval holographic security element is prominently embedded into the polymer, displaying a fingerprint-style iridescent image that shifts with the angle of light, serving as the principal anti-counterfeiting feature of the issue. The entire surface is overlaid with fine latticework and repeating arabesque motifs rendered in deeper violet tones against the lighter ground. At the upper right, the official emblem of Kuwait is printed in full colour — a golden dhow sailing vessel set within a circular badge incorporating the national colours of green, white, red, and black, with an eagle below and the state name in Arabic script. To the right of centre, Arabic calligraphic text identifies the issuing authority and the commemorative purpose of the note, with further Arabic inscriptions recording the date 26 February 2001. Two facsimile signatures appear across the lower central portion of the face, attributed to the Minister of Finance and the Governor of the Central Bank of Kuwait, printed in dark ink. The serial number CB 210236 is printed in dark numerals along the lower right, with a further partial reference number visible at the upper left. The denomination numeral “1” appears at the upper left in bold Arabic-Eastern numerals alongside the abbreviated serial code.

The reverse is the more visually elaborate face of the note, printed with a rich central vignette rendered in engraved-style blue and grey ink against the same pale lavender polymer background. Dominating the left portion of the reverse is a scene depicting a soldier holding aloft the Kuwaiti national flag — rendered in full colour with the distinctive horizontal black, white, green, and red triband with the black trapezoid at the hoist — evoking the moment of liberation. Behind the soldier, a detailed townscape is visible, featuring a prominent minaret tower and low-rise buildings characteristic of Kuwait City, rendered in fine line engraving. To the right of this scene, a traditional Kuwaiti dhow sailing vessel is depicted on water, with figures aboard, continuing the maritime and national heritage imagery. Further right, a second figure, dressed in traditional Kuwaiti attire, stands amidst a flock of white doves rendered in flight, symbolising peace following liberation. At the upper left, the text “Central Bank of Kuwait” is printed in bold English script, with the denomination “1” at the upper right and “One Dinar” printed vertically in English alongside it. An oval holographic or silver foil security patch is embedded at the right of the reverse, mirroring the placement of the holographic element on the front. At the lower right, a commemorative inscription in English reads: “A Commemorative Note Issued on the Occasion of the 10th Anniversary of the Liberation of the State of Kuwait — February 26th 2001.” The legend “Not Legal Tender” is printed in small text at the lower left, confirming the note’s commemorative rather than transactional status.

If you hold one of these withdrawn Kuwaiti Dinar commemorative banknotes, it can be included in a currency exchange through Webuyallcurrency.com alongside other old or withdrawn notes in a single straightforward transaction. Webuyallcurrency.com accepts a wide range of withdrawn Gulf and Middle Eastern currencies, making it simple to convert forgotten banknotes into sterling without unnecessary complexity.

• Indicate the quantity of 1 Dinar Kuwaiti Dinar banknotes you want to exchange
• Click the ‘Add to your account’ button
• Your online account now shows the exchange value

Got a mix of old coins and banknotes? Webuyallcurrency.com will exchange your Kuwaiti Dinars banknotes alongside other leftover and foreign currency, settling the whole lot in one straightforward transaction.