South Yemeni dinar

The dinar was introduced in 1965 as the South Arabian dinar, replacing the East African shilling at a rate of 1 dinar = 20 shillings, thus setting the dinar initially equal to the British pound. It was renamed the South Yemeni dinar after the Federation of South Arabia and the Protectorate of South Arabia united in 1967 as independent South Yemen. The South Yemeni dinar was replaced with the Yemeni rial following unification with North Yemen in 1990. The exchange rate was 1 dinar = 26 rial. Dinar banknotes remained legal tender until 1996.

For a wider history surrounding currency in the region, see The History of British Currency in the Middle East.

In 1965, coins (dated 1964) were introduced for both the Federation of South Arabia and the Protectorate of South Arabia in denominations of 1, 5, 25 and 50 fils. The 1 fils was struck in aluminium, the 5 fils in bronze and the higher two denominations in cupro-nickel.

In 1971, coins were issued in the name of "Democratic Yemen", changing to the "People's Democratic Republic of Yemen" in 1973. That year, aluminium 2½ fils were introduced, followed by aluminium 10 fils and cupro-nickel 100 and 250 fils in 1981. The 10 fils was scalloped shaped whilst the 100 fils was octagonal.

On 1 April 1965, the South Arabian Currency Authority introduced notes in denominations of 250 and 500 fils, as well as 1 and 5 dinars. A 10-dinar note was issued on 1 July 1967.[1]

In 1984, the Bank of Yemen introduced 500 fils as well as 1, 5 and 10 dinar notes that are like the preceding issues of South Arabia, except the English text and printer’s imprint have been removed from the front, the name of the issuer has changed and now appears on the back, along with the name of the capital (ADEN).[2]