1973 Oman 100 Baiza Currency Board PMG 67 EPQ P-7a Arms Watermark Superb Gem UNC Note

1973 Oman 100 Baiza Currency Board PMG 67 EPQ P-7a Arms Watermark Superb Gem UNC Note

This attractive fractional note is an early issue of the modern Sultanate of Oman: an ND (1973) 100 Baiza from the Oman Currency Board, catalogued as Pick 7a and certified by PMG as Superb Gem Unc 67 EPQ. Issued in the early 1970s as Oman introduced its own national currency, the Baiza and Rial, this piece marks the beginning of the country’s contemporary monetary history.

Authenticity & issue details

• Country / issuer: Oman – Oman Currency Board

• Denomination: 100 Baiza (one-tenth of an Omani Rial)

• Date: ND (1973) first series

• Catalog: Pick 7a – watermark national arms

• Watermark: The arms of Oman—the traditional khanjar dagger with crossed swords—matching the main emblem printed on the face.

• Certification: Encapsulated by PMG with a numeric grade of 67 and the EPQ (Exceptional Paper Quality) designation, confirming an original, strictly unhandled note sealed in a tamper-evident holder.

Historical significance

The Oman Currency Board was created in the early 1970s as the country moved away from foreign and regional currencies toward a unified national monetary system under Sultan Qaboos. The 100 Baiza belongs to the very first family of Omani notes to carry the new national arms and bilingual (Arabic/English) legends, symbolizing both tradition and Oman’s growing engagement with international trade and finance. As a short-lived Currency Board type later replaced by Central Bank issues, these early notes have become increasingly sought after by Gulf and Middle East specialists.

Design & features

Obverse:

• Dominated at right by a vivid turquoise rendering of the Omani national emblem—khanjar dagger and crossed swords.

• Arabic calligraphy across the top names the Currency Board and states the value, while ornate corner panels repeat the denomination “100 Baiza” in Arabic.

• The left panel features intricate, multicolored geometric arabesques in soft teal, rose and tan, with traditional border work along the top and bottom that evokes Islamic architectural motifs.

Reverse:

• The back is an elegant study in geometric design: a central medallion filled with complex brown guilloches accented by small green elements, flanked by star-shaped patterns and arabesque panels.

• The denomination “100 BAIZA” appears prominently at left in English, balanced by the legend “OMAN CURRENCY BOARD” along the lower border, making the note instantly legible to both local and foreign users.

Fine line engraving, carefully balanced color, and the bold national arms give this small denomination a presence far beyond its face value. The watermark of the arms, visible when held to light, adds both security and a subtle design echo.

Remarkable denomination

Although modest, the 100 Baiza is a key fractional value in the Omani system—one-tenth of a Rial—and this early note helped familiarize the public with the new decimalized structure. For collectors, it represents the entry-level piece of the pioneering Currency Board series, a natural starting point for a complete run of Omani types.

Collector’s value

This note combines first-series status, classic Gulf design, and top-tier third-party certification—a great mix for both beginning and advanced collectors. As a Superb Gem PMG 67 EPQ example of a relatively short-lived issue, it offers both visual appeal and long-term desirability. It slots perfectly into Middle East type sets, “first issues” collections, or any world banknote album that aims to showcase the emergence of modern national currencies in the oil era.