Oman Half Rial Banknote (Type 1995)

½ Rial Rial Omani (Issued 1995)

Oman’s 1995 half rial banknote speaks directly to the nation’s twin pillars of sovereign identity: the authority of its reigning leader and the enduring legacy of its ancient fortified heritage. Issued under the Central Bank of Oman, this note captures a country at once proud of its historical roots and confident in its modern statehood. The architectural and military symbolism woven throughout the design reflects Oman’s long tradition as a fortified sultanate, shaped by centuries of maritime trade and desert resilience. Together, the imagery projects a vision of continuity, dignity, and national self-assurance.

On the front, the right-hand side is dominated by an engraved portrait of Sultan Qaboos bin Said, the long-reigning ruler of Oman, rendered in fine intaglio detail with subtle tonal gradations across his face, turban, and traditional Omani dishdasha. He faces left, and his expression carries the composed authority befitting a head of state. The portrait is framed against a lightly tinted background that transitions from soft rose and lilac tones into warmer beige across the body of the note. To the left of centre, a detailed vignette depicts a dramatic hilltop fortification — a classic Omani castle with crenellated towers, thick stone walls, and surrounding rocky terrain — rendered in fine line engraving in muted olive and grey-green tones. Above this central imagery, the issuing authority is displayed prominently in Arabic script reading “البنك المركزي العُماني” (Central Bank of Oman), with a secondary Arabic line declaring the note’s legal tender status and the denomination “نصف ريال” (Half Rial) beneath it. In the upper right, a serial number “ج/١٠٠٨٢٤٩٧” is printed in dark ink, and the same serial number appears again in the lower left, printed vertically. A small denominational numeral “½” appears in an ornate panel towards the lower centre, accompanied by a facsimile signature and the dual dating — both Hijri (١٤١٦) and Gregorian (1995) — printed below. The Omani national emblem, featuring the crossed swords, khanjar dagger, and belt, appears in the upper left area. The border design incorporates repeating geometric guilloche patterns in mauve and rose tones, with a fine outer frame of intricate lace-like engraving running along all four edges.

The reverse is printed in a harmonious palette of mauve, lilac, soft olive, and pale blue-grey. The centrepiece is a large, highly detailed engraved illustration of Nakhal Fort — a grand historic fortification built atop rocky high ground, with multiple towers, battlements, and surrounding walls clearly rendered in fine intaglio line work. To the right of the main fort, a smaller secondary fortification vignette is printed in a darker mauve tone within a cartouche. Labelling in both Arabic and English identifies the main structure as “Nakhal Fort” and “Al Hazm Fort” respectively, accompanied by small cartographic detailing suggesting a regional map outline behind the fortress imagery. The upper left portion of the reverse features a vertical panel of interlocking diamond and oval guilloche patterns in multicolour — incorporating green, pink, and lilac — providing a decorative security element. In the upper centre, the text “CENTRAL BANK OF OMAN” is printed in bold serif capitals, with “Half Rial” rendered in a slightly smaller, elegant typeface directly beneath. The denomination “1/2” appears prominently in the upper right in dark maroon numerals. The dual date “1416 H / 1995 G” is printed in the lower right corner, and a fine repeating geometric border frames the entire reverse in the same mauve-toned guilloche style as the front.

This half rial banknote can be exchanged through Webuyallcurrency.com, where old or withdrawn Omani Rials banknotes are bought alongside other foreign currency — ideal for clearing a drawer of mixed coins and notes at once.

• Indicate the quantity of ½ Rial Rial Omani banknotes you want to exchange
• Click the ‘Add to your account’ button
• Your online account now shows the exchange value

Webuyallcurrency.com helps you exchange old coins and banknotes with no fuss, combining your Omani Rials banknotes with other foreign currency into a single, hassle-free cash exchange.

Other Omani Rials you can exchange: 0.1, 0.2, 1, 5, 10, 20, 50.