Abu Dhabi, an emirate of the United Arab Emirates (UAE)
has
a total land area of 26 square miles and a population of about
900,000. It is a T-shaped island and is the capital and the second
largest city of the UAE. The area is known to have been inhabited since
around 3-millenium BCE with the current ruling family’s (Al Nahyan)
migration into the area dating back to 1793 AD. The area was a British
Protectorate in the 19th century – part of The Trucial States, a group
of sheikhdoms that signed the Maritime Truce agreement with United
Kingdom in 1853. The British administered the area as princely states of
British India until India gained independence in 1947. Abu Dhabi
became part of the UAE in December 2, 1971 when the constitution was
established as a federation of seven emirates.
Philatelic Profile:
The first stamps of Abu Dhabi were a set of eleven stamps issued on March 30, 1964. The set (Scott #1 to #11)
catalogs for around $120 MNH and around $50 for Used. The designs show
head portrait of Sheik Shakbut bin Sultan at Nahyan, Gazelle, Oil Rig
and Camels, and the Palace. The set was followed by another set (Scott #12 to #14)
of three stamps in the Falcon theme on March 30, 1965. That set is
also sought after cataloging in the $90 range for MNH and around $35
for Used. The designs show Falcon Perched on a Wrist, Falcon Facing
Left, and Falcon Facing Right.
The
Gulf Rupee (100 Naye Paise = 1 Rupee) was replaced by the Bahraini
Dinar as the areas currency on June 6, 1966. The first stamps with the
new denomination (1000 Fils =1 Dinar) were a set of eleven stamps that
were overprints on the first issues from 1964. That set (Scott #15 to #25)
catalogs for around $275 MNH or Used. The first original issues with
the new denominations were a set of twelve stamps issued on April 1,
1967. The set (Scott #26 to #37)
catalogs for around $90 MNH and around $35 Used. The designs show head
portraits of Sheik Zaid bin Sultan al Nahayan, Crossed Flags for Abu
Dhabi, Dorcas Gazelle, Falcon, and Palace.
Following
the formation of UAE, the Dinar was replaced by the Dirham (1 Dirham =
0.1 Dinar) in December 1971. The first issue after the currency
conversion was a Green surcharge overprint on the 50f Sheik Zaid issue
of 1970 (Scott #60). The stamp (Scott #80)
is sought after and catalogs for around $85 MNH and around $65 Used.
The issue was followed on June 3, 1972 by the last issue of Abu Dhabi
before UAE stamps were adopted – a set (Scott #81 to #83) of three stamps showing different views of the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem. The set (Scott #81 to #83) catalogs for around $155 MNH and around $35 Used.
Numismatic Profile:
The
Indian Rupee was the currency used in Abu Dhabi until 1966 when it was
replaced by the Bahraini Dinar. The Dinar was replaced by the UAE
Dirham in December 1971. As such, there is no currency or coins specific just to Abu Dhabi.
Collectible Memorabilia:
Souvenir Postcards, themed ceramics, airline plane models, etc form the popular collectible souvenirs of Abu Dhabi.
Last Updated: 12/2015.

Philatelic Profile:



Numismatic Profile:

Collectible Memorabilia:
Souvenir Postcards, themed ceramics, airline plane models, etc form the popular collectible souvenirs of Abu Dhabi.
Last Updated: 12/2015.
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