1 Dinar KWT Banknote (White Underlayed Arms (1980–1991)) 1980-1991

1 Dinar Kuwaiti Dinar (Issued 1980–1991)

The old fortified structure depicted on the reverse of this banknote is a traditional Kuwaiti mud-brick fort, representative of the historic defensive architecture that defined the region’s pre-oil heritage and served as a visual anchor for Kuwaiti national identity during the late twentieth century. Its inclusion on the One Dinar note reflects the Central Bank of Kuwait’s deliberate effort to connect the country’s modernising economy with the deep-rooted cultural and historical legacy of the Arabian Peninsula. Issued between 1980 and 1991, this series was ultimately withdrawn following the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in August 1990 and the subsequent liberation of the country in 1991. The note is identified by its white underlayed arms, a distinguishing feature of this particular issue within the Central Bank of Kuwait series.

On the front, the design is executed in a rich deep rose and crimson palette against an off-white paper ground, with the entire surface covered in intricate guilloché latticework forming elaborate circular and interlocking geometric rosette patterns that are characteristic of high-security intaglio printing. The central area of the note is dominated by a large, lightly printed oval watermark zone, kept deliberately pale to accommodate the security watermark visible when held to the light. To the upper right of the note, the State of Kuwait coat of arms is prominently displayed, featuring a dhow sailing on stylised waves beneath a falcon with outstretched wings, all rendered in white against a circular dark vignette — this is the identifying white underlayed arms that distinguishes this issue from earlier and later series. The denomination numeral “١” appears in large Arabic script at the upper left, with the Arabic text “بنك الكويت المركزي” — meaning Central Bank of Kuwait — arching across the top of the note in bold, elegant calligraphy. The denomination in full Arabic script, “دينار واحد” (One Dinar), is printed centrally in a prominent serif typeface. Below this, smaller Arabic text references the relevant legislative authority and issue year. A vertical bar chart or column pattern in dark ink appears on the lower left edge, forming part of the background security design. Two manuscript-style facsimile signatures appear in Arabic script in the lower portion of the note, representing the Governor and a senior official of the Central Bank of Kuwait. The serial number “٧٨٨٢٠٤” is printed in dark ink twice — once at the top right and once at the lower left — in Eastern Arabic numerals. A multicoloured geometric star rosette in greens and pinks appears centrally at the lower edge, adding a further layer of security printing. The overall printing style combines fine-line intaglio engraving with lithographic background tints, producing the layered depth of colour and texture typical of De La Rue or equivalent high-security currency production of this era.

The reverse presents a finely engraved vignette depicting a traditional Kuwaiti mud-brick fortress with thick, crenellated walls, rendered in a warm reddish-brown and deep purple intaglio against a pale pink background. A large, mature tree with broad spreading branches — likely a date palm or similar regional species — rises prominently beside the fort walls, its canopy rendered in careful detail with fine engraving lines that convey both volume and texture. The surrounding landscape suggests an arid, open terrain, consistent with the Kuwaiti interior. The text “Central Bank of Kuwait” is printed in clear English lettering across the top of the reverse in dark ink. The denomination numeral “1” appears twice in the upper corners in a bold serif typeface. The words “One Dinar” are printed in English in the lower right quadrant in a clean, authoritative font. The lower portion of the reverse features three decorative security rosettes of varying sizes — a dark six-pointed star burst design on the far left, a central multicoloured geometric hexagonal star pattern printed in green, red, and gold, and a further complex circular guilloché design in warm orange and gold tones to the right — all consistent with the anti-counterfeiting printing standards of the period. A pale, almost ghostly circular watermark area is visible in the centre-right of the reverse, showing through from the obverse’s watermark zone. The background is covered in fine pale pink and cream guilloché line patterns that provide further depth and security to the overall composition.

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• Your online account now shows the exchange value

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