These four baisa coins of 2020 are the first in Oman to carry the name of Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, who took the throne in January 2020 after the death of Sultan Qaboos bin Said, ruler of the country for half a century.

The Central Bank of Oman announced the 5, 10, 25 and 50 baisa in August 2020, and they entered circulation the following month. The obverse shows the state emblem, a khanjar over crossed swords, with the new sultan’s name above it and the country’s name below. The reverse belongs to the denomination, written out in Arabic words, «خمسون بيسة» on the highest value, and repeated in figures with the Latin BAISA, above a double date of 1441 AH and 2020.

The coins were struck at the Monnaie de Paris. The copper-red 5 and 10 baisa are copper-clad steel, while the white 25 and 50 baisa are stainless steel.

The set opens a new reign in an Oman collection and sits well beside the coins of Qaboos: the change of era can be read in a single line above the emblem. Uncirculated condition: the coins have never been in circulation, show no wear and retain their mint lustre, with only minor handling marks possible.

Would you like to complete the whole series? See the other issues in the VPcoins catalogue.