The name «rufiyaa» goes back to the Sanskrit «rūpya», meaning wrought silver, even though the coin itself has long been made of steel. The metal rufiyaa entered circulation on 22 January 1983, with the first pieces struck in West Germany; this 2012 version was produced by the Royal Mint in Britain on a nickel-plated steel core.

The design stayed the same, tested by decades of use. One side shows the state emblem — palm, crescent and star, crossed flags — flanked by the date in two calendars, with «ދިވެހި ރާއްޖޭ» («Maldives») in Thaana script below. The other side carries a large numeral, the legends «REPUBLIC OF MALDIVES» and «RUFIYAA», and two ropes joined in a reef knot.

The steel rufiyaa was struck from 2007 to 2012, which makes 2012 the closing date of this variety. The coin completes a date run of Maldivian rufiyaa and shows how the metal changed while the design did not.

UNC grade: the coin never circulated, shows no wear and keeps its mint lustre; only minor bag marks from bank storage are acceptable.

VPcoins brings coins and banknotes from all over the world together in one catalogue.