Amir al-Mumenin al-Mutawakkil 'Ala Allah Rab ul-Alamin Imam Yahya bin al-Mansur Bi'llah Muhammad Hamidaddin.
Coinage [AH 1322-1367 (1904-1948)]
 
Religious leaders of the Zaydi sect of Shia Islam expelled forces of the Ottoman Empire from what is now northern Yemen by the middle of the 17th century but, within a century, the unity of Yemen was fractured due to the difficulty of governing Yemen's mountainous terrain. In 1849, the Ottoman Empire occupied the coastal Tihamah region to put pressure on the Zaiddiyah imam to sign a treaty recognizing Ottoman suzerainty and allowing for a small Ottoman force to be stationed in Sana'a. However, the Ottomans were slow to gain control over Yemen and never managed to eliminate all resistance from local Zaydis. In 1913, shortly before World War I, the Ottoman Empire was forced to cede some power formally to highland Zaydis. On 30 October 1918, following the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, Imam Yahya Muhammad of the al-Qasimi dynasty declared northern Yemen an independent sovereign state. In 1926, Yahya proclaimed the Mutawakkilite Kingdom of Yemen, becoming both a temporal king as well as a (Zaydi) spiritual leader, and won international recognition for his new state, such as with the Kingdom of Italy, entering into the Italo-Yemeni Treaty in 1926.
In the 1920s, Yahya had expanded his power to the north into Tihamah and 'Asir, but he collided with the rising influence of the Saudi king of Nejd and Hejaz, Abdul Aziz ibn Sa'ud. In the early 1930s, Saudi forces retook much of these gains before withdrawing from some of the area, including the southern Tihamah city of Al Hudaydah. The present-day boundary with Saudi Arabia was established by the 20 May 1934 Treaty of Taif, following the Saudi-Yemeni War in 1934. Yahya's non-recognition of his kingdom's southern boundary with the British Aden Protectorate (later the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen) that had been negotiated by his Ottoman predecessors resulted in occasional clashes with the British.
The Kingdom of Yemen became a founding member of the Arab League in 1945 and joined the United Nations on 30 September 1947. It committed a small expeditionary force to the 1948 Arab–Israeli War. Imam Yahya was assassinated in an unsuccessful coup d'état in 1948, but was eventually succeeded by a firm heir - Yahya's son, Imam Ahmad bin Yahya, who regained power several months later.
 
Currency: Riyal = 40 Buqsha = 80 Halala = 160 Zalat.
 
Y#1.1 Zalat (1/160 Riyal). Year: AH 1341-1346. Weight varies: 0.90 - 1.60 grams. Metal: Bronze / Brass. Diameter: 16.00 mm. Edge: Plain. Alignment: Medal. Mint: Sana'a, Yemen. Obverse: "لا اله الا الله" (There is no God except Allah) written in center circle. Eight stars outside center circle. Reverse: "نصره الله" (May Allah assist him) written at the top. "المتوكل على الله" [al-Mutawakkil 'Ala Allah (He who relies on Allah)] written in the center. Accession Date AH 1322 at the bottom. Mintage Years: AH 1341-1346 (1922-1927).

Note: Accession Date side varieties with no stars or two stars. Date side with eight stars. Size of inner circle varies, various planchet thicknesses. "Sanah" (meaning: Year in Arabic or wave symbol) above or below Date does not exist. 1343 also known with seven stars. 1344 also exists with traces of reeded edges.

1342 Types

Type1: Irregular Date within the center circle. Tilted legends on Accession Date side.

Year: AH 1342 (1923). Weight: 1.49 g. Alignment: Medal. Mintage: N/A. 

Type2: Straight Date within the center circle. Tilted legends on Accession Date side. The style of the word "Allah" written at the top in the center circle differs from the above coin.

Year: AH 1342 (1923). Weight: 1.64 g. Alignment: Rotated. Mintage: N/A.

Type3: Irregular Date within the center circle. Straight legends with squeezed Accession Date.

Year: AH 1342 (1923). Weight: 1.46 g. Alignment: Rotated. Mintage: N/A.

1343 Types with 8 stars

Type1: Thick Date within the center circle. Tilted legends at the top of Accession Date side.

Year: AH 1343 (1924). Weight: 1.41 g. Alignment: Medal. Mintage: N/A. 

Type2: Thick and squeezed Date with "43" tilted within the center circle. Tilted legends at the top of Accession Date side.

Year: AH 1343 (1924). Weight: 1.48 g. Alignment: Rotated. Mintage: N/A. 

Type3: Thick Date with first "3" tilted within the center circle. Straight legends on Accession Date side. Digits of Accession Date fallong downwards.

Year: AH 1343 (1924). Weight: 1.42 g. Alignment: Rotated. Mintage: N/A. 

Type4: Normal Straight Date within the center circle. Digit "3" in Accession Date is down from the rest of the digits.

Year: AH 1343 (1924). Weight: 1.68 g. Alignment: Medal. Mintage: N/A. 

Type5: Squeezed Date within the center circle. Accession Date has short "22".

Year: AH 1343 (1924). Weight: 1.51 g. Alignment: Medal. Mintage: N/A. 

Type6: Wide Date within the center circle. One character overlapping in the center circle. Thin legends on Accession Date side.

Year: AH 1343 (1924). Weight: 1.58 g. Alignment: Medal. Mintage: N/A. 

Type7: Properly aligned / symmetrical legends within the center circle.

Year: AH 1343 (1924). Weight: 1.32 g. Alignment: Medal. Mintage: N/A. 

1344 Types

Type1: Normal Date.

Year: AH 1344 (1925). Weight: 1.47 g. Alignment: Medal. Mintage: N/A. 

Type2: Large "3" in Date.

Year: AH 1344 (1925). Weight: 1.42 g. Alignment: Rotated. Mintage: N/A. 

1345 Types

Type1: Thin line from center circle touching the Star at 10 o'clock.

Year: AH 1345 (1926). Weight: 1.47 g. Alignment: Medal. Mintage: N/A. 

Type2: Thick line from center circle touching the Star at 10 o'clock.

Year: AH 1345 (1926). Weight: 1.42 g. Alignment: Rotated. Mintage: N/A. 

1346 Types

Type1:

Year: AH 1346 (1927). Weight: 1.43 g. Alignment: Medal. Mintage: N/A. 

Type2: Same as above coin but in Brass metal with thicker stars and legends on both sides. The legends within the center circle has different position and size from the above coin.

Year: AH 1346 (1927). Weight: 1.71 g. Metal: Brass. Alignment: Medal. Mintage: N/A.
 
 
Y#1.2 Zalat (1/160 Riyal). Year: AH 1342. Weight varies: 0.90 - 1.60 grams. Metal: Bronze / Brass. Diameter: 16.00 mm. Edge: Plain. Alignment: Medal. Mint: Sana'a, Yemen. Obverse: "لا اله الا الله" (There is no God except Allah) written in center circle. Eight stars outside center circle. Reverse: "نصره الله" (May Allah assist him) written at the top. "المتوكل على الله" [al-Mutawakkil 'Ala Allah (He who relies on Allah)] written in the center. Accession Date AH 1322 at the bottom. Mintage Years: One year type.

Note: Zalat AH1342 Bronze. Inscription in two lines above accession date AH1322. Without Sanah (wave symbol) above or below Year. Accession Date side may have varieties with 1, 2 and 4 stars, while Date side maybe with 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 20 and 22 stars. Some specimens show traces of reeded edges; Various planchet thicknesses exist.

Type1: Normal coin. 8 stars on the Date side outside the center circle with one Star on the Accession Date side at the top.

Year: AH 1342 (1923). Weight: 1.69 g. Edge: Plain. Alignment: Medal. Mintage: N/A.

Type2: Same as Type1 but the legends on both side have variation in position and character size. Date within the center circle is irregular.

Year: AH 1342 (1923). Weight: 1.51 g. Edge: Plain. Alignment: Rotated. Mintage: N/A.
Below are other varieties:
  • Y#1.4 Zalat AH1342 Bronze. Crescent below accession date AH1322. Without Sanah (wave symbol) above or below Year. Accession Date side may have varieties with 1, 2 and 4 stars, while Date side maybe with 11, 14, 15, 16 and 17 stars. Various planchet thicknesses exist.
  • Y#1.7 Zalat AH1342 Bronze. Inscription in two lines above accession date AH1322. Accession Date side may have varieties with 1 and 2 stars, while Date has 11 stars. Various planchet thicknesses exist.
  • Y#B1 Zalat ND(ca.1925) Bronze. Inscription in two lines above accession date AH1322. Probably struck at Shaharah about 1925. Dies were reportedly prepared in Italy. For silver strikes it is referred as Y#A4 1/20 Riyal. Both Bronze and Silver coins are considered to be pattern.
 
 
Y#2.1 1/80 Riyal (Half Buqsha). Year: AH 1322. Weight varies: 2.50 - 3.00 grams. Metal: Bronze. Diameter: 21.50 mm. Edge: Plain. Alignment: Medal. Mint: probably Shaharah, Yemen. Obverse:  "نصره الله" (May Allah assist him) written at the top crescent with Accession Date AH 1322 below it. "يحيى بن محمد" (Yahya bin Muhammad) written in the center crescent. "أمير المؤمنين، المتوكل على الله رب العلمين" [Amir al-Mumenin al-Mutawakkil 'Ala Allah Rab 'Alamin (Commander of the Faithful, who relies on Allah, the lord of the worlds)] written in the large bottom crescent.

Reverse: "لا اله الا الله" (There is no God except Allah) written at the top section. Year "1322" written in the center crescent. "الملك الله رب العلمين" [Al-Malik Allah Rab ul-Alamin (The King Allah, the lord of the worlds)] written at the bottom. Mintage Years: One year type.
 

Year: AH 1322 (1904). Weight: 2.84 g. Metal: Bronze. Diameter: 21.25 mm. Alignment: Medal. Mintage: N/A.

Year AH 1322 written on both sides. This coin is considered to be issued in 1911.

 
 
Y#2.2 1/80 Riyal (Half Buqsha). Year: AH 1330 - 1339. Weight varies: 1.50 - 3.00 grams. Metal: Bronze / Copper. Diameter: 21.50 mm. Edge: Plain. Alignment: Medal. Mint: Shaharah, Yemen. Obverse: "لا اله الا الله" (There is no God except Allah) written in center circle. "ثمن" (eighth of) written at the top and "عشر" (one tenth) written at the bottom (Eighth of one tenth = 1/80). Total Ten stars outside center circle. "سنة" (Year) written above Date. Reverse: "نصره الله" (May Allah assist him) written at the top crescent with Accession Date AH 1322 below it. "يحيى بن محمد" (Yahya bin Muhammad) written in the center crescent. "أمير المؤمنين، المتوكل على الله رب العلمين" [Amir al-Mumenin al-Mutawakkil 'Ala Allah Rab 'Alamin (Commander of the Faithful, who relies on Allah, the lord of the worlds)] written in the large bottom crescent. Mintage Years: AH 1330-1339 (1912-1920).

Note: Thin flan. "Sanah" (meaning: Year in Arabic or wave symbol) above date. The number and arrangement of stars and the size of the circle on the reverse vary as well as the exact arrangement of the legends which sometimes vary within each year. The Date side exists with 10, 12, 14, 20, 22, 24, 28 and 34 stars. Accession Date varieties exist with 1, 2, 3 or 4 stars and without stars. Accession date: AH(1)322 or 1322 exist. Struck at Shaharah.

Year: AH 1332 (1914). Weight: 1.57 g. Metal: Bronze. Diameter: 20.75 mm. Alignment: Rotated. Mintage: N/A. This coin in my collection is badly bend.

Note: 10 stars (five on each side) on the Date side outside the center circle and no stars inside the center circle. No star on the Accession Date side.

Type1: Year: AH 1338 (1919). Weight: 1.67 g. Metal: Bronze. Diameter: 21.50 mm. Alignment: Rotated. Mintage: N/A.

Note: 10 stars (five on each side) on the Date side outside the center circle and 4 stars inside the center circle. One star in the center, on the Accession Date side.

Type2: Year: AH 1338 (1919). Weight: 1.26 g. Metal: Bronze. Diameter: 20.50 mm. Alignment: Medal. Mintage: N/A.

Note: 10 stars (five on each side) on the Date side outside the center circle and 4 stars inside the center circle. Four star (two on the left, one in the center and one at the right) on the Accession Date side.

Type3:

Year: AH 1338 (1919). Weight: 2.88 g. Metal: Bronze. Diameter: 20.75 mm. Alignment: Coin. Mintage: N/A.

Note: 10 stars (five on each side) on the Date side outside the center circle and 2 stars inside the center circle; none besides the Date. Three star (two on the left and one in the center) on the Accession Date side.

Type4A:

Year: AH 1338 (1919). Weight: 1.78 g. Metal: Bronze. Diameter: 22.00 mm. Alignment: Rotated. Mintage: N/A.

Note: 22 stars (10 on left and 12 on right side) on the Date side outside the center circle and 4 stars inside the center circle. Four star (two on the left, one in the center and one at the right) on the Accession Date side.

Type4B: Same as above coin, but having some minor difference in size of legends on both sides.

Year: AH 1338 (1919). Weight: 1.64 g. Diameter: 21.25 mm. Alignment: Medal.

Type5:

Year: AH 1338 (1919). Weight: 2.08 g. Metal: Bronze. Diameter: 22.25 mm. Alignment: Rotated. Mintage: N/A.

Note: 18 stars (9 stars on each side) on the Date side outside the center circle and 2 stars inside the center circle; none besides the Date. Three star (two on the left and one in the center) on the Accession Date side.
Below is another variety:
  • Y#2.1 1/80 Riyal (Half Buqsha). ND (1911). Bronze. Accession date AH1322 above crescent below "نصره الله" (May Allah assist him) and on the other side within crescent.
 
Y#2.3 1/80 Riyal (Half Buqsha). Year: AH 1340 - 1341. Weight 3.00 grams. Metal: Bronze / Copper. Diameter: 20.50 mm. Edge: Plain. Alignment: Medal. Mint: Sana'a, Yemen. Obverse: "لا اله الا الله" (There is no God except Allah) written in center circle. "ضرب" (Struck) written at the right side anti-clockwise. "بصنعاء" (at Sana'a) written at the top. "ثمن" (eighth of) written at the bottom and "عشر" (one tenth) written at the left side clockwise (Eighth of one tenth = 1/80). Total Four stars outside center circle. "سنة" (Year) written below Date. Reverse: "نصره الله" (May Allah assist him) written at the top crescent with Accession Date AH 1322 below it. "يحيى بن محمد" (Yahya bin Muhammad) written in the center crescent. "أمير المؤمنين، المتوكل على الله رب العلمين" [Amir al-Mumenin al-Mutawakkil 'Ala Allah Rab 'Alamin (Commander of the Faithful, who relies on Allah, the lord of the worlds)] written in the large bottom crescent. Mintage Years: AH 1340-1341 (1921-1922).

Note: AH1340 exists with 4 and 8 stars on Date side. AH1341 exists with 4 stars on Date side.

Year: AH 1340 (1921). Weight: 2.61 g. Metal: Copper. Diameter: 20.50 mm. Mintage: N/A.

Note: Four stars on the Date side.
Below is another variety:
  • Y#2.4 1/80 Riyal (Half Buqsha). Bronze. Without “Rabb al-Alamin” with crescent below accession date AH1322. Weight and diameter varies.
    • AH1341 exists with 4 stars on Date side.
    • AH1342 coins exist with 4 and 6 stars on Date side.
 
Y#2.5 1/80 Riyal (Half Buqsha). Year: AH 1339 - 1361. Weight 3.00 grams. Metal: Copper / Bronze / Brass. Diameter: 21.50 mm. Edge: Plain. Alignment: Medal. Mint: Sana'a, Yemen. Obverse: "لا اله الا الله" (There is no God except Allah) written in center circle. "ضرب بصنعاء" (Struck at Sana'a) written at the top with two stars between these two words. Two stars on the left side and two stars on the right side. Value "ثمن عشر" (eighth of one tenth = 1/80) written at the bottom with two Stars between these two words. Total eight stars outside center circle. "سنة" (Year) written above Date. Reverse: "نصره الله" (May Allah assist him) written at the top crescent with Accession Date AH 1322 below it. "يحيى بن محمد" (Yahya bin Muhammad) written in the center crescent. "أمير المؤمنين، المتوكل على الله رب العلمين" [Amir al-Mumenin al-Mutawakkil 'Ala Allah Rab 'Alamin (Commander of the Faithful, who relies on Allah, the lord of the worlds)] written in the large bottom crescent. Mintage Years: AH1339, AH1341, AH1342, AH1343, AH1344, AH1345, AH1346 (some examples of AH1346 show the 6 re-engraved over low l), AH1347, AH1348, AH1349, AH1350, AH135x (last digit missing), AH1351, AH1352, AH1353, AH1358 (requires confirmation), AH1359, AH1360 and AH1361 (1920-1942).

Note: With "Rabb al-alamin" legend. "Sanah" above date. Number and arrangement of stars on reverse (4, 5, 6, 7, or 8) as well as the size of the inner circle vary. Varieties exist in the form of crescent and arrangement of legends and planchet thicknesses.

Year: AH 1340 (1921). Weight: 2.89 g. Metal: Copper. Diameter: 21.50 mm. Mintage: N/A.

Note: unlisted date in Krause publication.

Year: AH 1343 (1924). Weight: 2.64 g. Metal: Bronze. Diameter: 21.50 mm. Mintage: N/A.

Note: Large Date variety.

Same as above coin but has small Date size.

Weight: 3.05 g. Diameter: 21.00 mm.

Year: AH 1344 (1925). Weight: 2.69 g. Metal: Brass. Diameter: 21.00 mm. Mintage: N/A.

Type1: Year: AH 1345 (1926). Weight: 2.46 g. Metal: Bronze. Diameter: 21.50 mm. Alignment: Slightly Rotated. Mintage: N/A.

Type2: Some difference in size of the legend within the circle. Diameter: 20.75 mm. Alignment: Medal. Weight: 2.65 g.

Type3: Thick "Sanah" (wave symbol) above Date within circle.

Diameter: 20.50 mm. Alignment: Medal. Weight: 2.95 g.

Type4: Date shifted on the left side within circle.

Diameter: 20.50 mm. Alignment: Medal. Weight: 2.27 g.

Type5: The last digit "5" in Date is overlapping the center circle.

Diameter: 20.50 mm. Alignment: Medal. Weight: 2.38 g.

Year: AH 1346 (1927). Weight: 2.71 g. Metal: Bronze. Diameter: 20.50 mm. Mintage: N/A.

Type2: Some difference in size of the legend within the circle. The legend at the left side of the circle is extended outside of the circle.

Diameter: 20.75 mm. Alignment: Medal. Weight: 3.05 g.

Same as above coin but Type1 Brass Metal:

Weight: 3.30 g. Diameter: 21.00 mm. Mintage: N/A.

Type2 Brass Metal: It has longer "Sanah" (wave symbol) written above Date. Missing three dots in the word "عشر" at the bottom left side.

Weight: 2.99 g. Diameter: 20.75 mm. Mintage: N/A.

Year: AH 1347 (1928). Weight: 2.73 g. Metal: Copper. Diameter: 21.00 mm. Mintage: N/A.

Same as above coin but Brass Metal with difference of character position in the center circle.

Weight: 3.05 g. Diameter: 21.00 mm. Mintage: N/A.

Year: AH 1348 (1929). Weight: 2.81 g. Metal: Brass. Diameter: 20.50 mm. Mintage: N/A.

Type1: No gap in the word "رب العلمين" in the bottom legends on the Accession Date side.

Same as above coin on the Date side but...

Type2: Gap noticed in the word "رب العلمين" in the bottom legends on the Accession Date side.

Weight: 2.99 g. Diameter: 21.00 mm. Alignment: Slightly Rotated. Mintage: N/A.

Type3: Thick legends on both sides of the coin.

Weight: 2.50 g. Diameter: 21.00 mm. Alignment: Medal. Mintage: N/A.

Year: AH 1349 (1930). Weight: 2.58 g. Metal: Bronze. Diameter: 20.50 mm. Mintage: N/A.

Same as above coin, but in Brass Metal.

Type1: Brass with Large Date

Weight: 2.88 g. Diameter: 21.00 mm. Mintage: N/A.

Type2: Brass with Small Date.

Weight: 2.70 g. Diameter: 20.75 mm. Mintage: N/A.

Type1: Brass Metal

Year: AH 1350 (1931). Weight: 2.50 g. Metal: Brass. Diameter: 20.00 mm. Mintage: N/A.

Type2 Brass Metal: Some difference in size of the legend within the circle. The word "Sanah" (wave symbol) above date is thick.

Weight: 2.47 g. Diameter: 20.00 mm. Alignment: Slightly Rotated. Mintage: N/A.

Type3 Brass Metal: Some difference in size of the legend within the circle. The digit "5" in date has square gap in the center instead of round.

Weight: 2.85 g. Diameter: 21.00 mm. Alignment: Medal. Mintage: N/A.

Doubtful coin as it looks like AH 135x but under magnifying glass it looks like AH 1358.

Weight: 2.75 g. Alignment: Medal.

Year: AH 1351 (1932). Weight: 2.79 g. Metal: Bronze. Diameter: 20.00 mm. Mintage: N/A.

Type1 Brass Metal:

Weight: 2.99 g. Diameter: 20.00 mm. Mintage: N/A.

Type2 Brass Metal: Some difference in position of the legend within the circle.

Weight: 2.39 g. Diameter: 20.00 mm. Mintage: N/A.

Year: AH 1352 (1933). Weight: 2.61 g. Metal: Copper. Diameter: 20.50 mm. Alignment: Slightly Rotated. Mintage: N/A.

Same Date as above coin, but...

Type1 Brass Metal: No Gap noticed in the word "رب العلمين" in the bottom legends on the Accession Date side. The legends in the center circle are extended outside the circle at the top and right side.

Weight: 2.60 g. Diameter: 20.50 mm. Alignment: Medal. Mintage: N/A. 

Type2 Brass Metal: Clear Gaps noticed in the word "رب العلمين" in the bottom legends on the Accession Date side.

Weight: 3.11 g. Diameter: 20.50 mm. Alignment: Medal. Mintage: N/A. 

Type3 Brass Metal:  Similar to Type1 but Legends within the center circle.

Weight: 2.72 g. Diameter: 20.50 mm. Alignment: Medal. Mintage: N/A. 

Year: AH 1353 (1934). Weight: 2.46 g. Metal: Brass. Diameter: 20.00 mm. Mintage: N/A.

Year: AH 1359 (1940). Weight: 3.54 g. Metal: Copper. Diameter: 20.00 mm. Alignment: Slightly rotated. Mintage: N/A.

Same as above coin but in Bronze metal and some difference in position and size of the legends on both sides.

Weight: 2.26 g. Diameter: 20.50 mm. Alignment: Medal. Mintage: N/A.

Year: AH 1360 (1941). Weight: 2.30 g. Metal: Brass. Diameter: 21.00 mm. Alignment: Medal. Mintage: N/A.

Year: AH 1361 (1942). Weight: 3.76 g. Metal: Bronze. Diameter: 20.00 mm. Alignment: Medal. Mintage: N/A.
 
 
Y#3.1 1/40 Riyal (Buqsha). Year: AH 1341. Weight 5.00 grams. Metal: Bronze / Brass. Diameter: 29.00 mm. Edge: Plain. Alignment: Medal. Mint: Sana'a, Yemen. Obverse: "لا اله الا الله" (There is no God except Allah) written in center circle. "ضرب بصنعاء" (Struck at Sana'a) written at the top with one Star between these two words. Total Four stars outside center circle. Value "ربع عشر" (Quarter of one tenth = 1/40) written at the bottom with one Star between these two words. "سنة" (Year) written below Date. Reverse: "نصره الله" (May Allah assist him) written at the top crescent with Accession Date AH 1322 below it. "يحيى بن محمد" (Yahya bin Muhammad) written in the center crescent. "أمير المؤمنين المتوكل على الله" [Amir al-Mumenin al-Mutawakkil 'Ala Allah (Commander of the Faithful, who relies on Allah)] written in the large bottom crescent. Mintage Years: One year type.

Note: Type without "Rabb al-Alamin", "Sanah" (meaning: Year in Arabic or wave symbol) below date. Varieties of borders, arrangement of legends, and thickness of planchets exist.

Type1:

Year: AH 1341 (1924). Weight: 2.62 g. Metal: Bronze. Diameter: 28.50 mm. Mintage: N/A.

This coin is made on very thin planchet.

Type2: minor difference in legend size and position than above coin.

Weight: 3.52 g.

Note: Type Y#3.2 is with "Rabb al-Alamin", "Sanah" (meaning: "Year" in Arabic) above date, small legend "Sana'a", three leaf ornaments and one star at the bottom near the border. Mintage years: AH 1342 (with 4 leaf ornaments and without star), AH 13442, AH 1343 and AH 1344.
 
 
Y#3.3 1/40 Riyal (Buqsha). Year: AH 1344 - 1367. Weight 5.00 grams. Metal: Copper / Bronze / Brass. Diameter: 29.00 mm. Edge: Plain. Alignment: Medal. Mint: Sana'a, Yemen. Obverse: "لا اله الا الله" (There is no God except Allah) written in center circle. "ضرب بصنعاء" (Struck at Sana'a) written at the top with leaf ornament between these two words. Total three leaf ornaments and one star outside center circle. Value "ربع عشر" (Quarter of one tenth = 1/40) written at the bottom with one Star between these two words. "سنة" (Year) written above Date.

Reverse: "نصره الله" (May Allah assist him) written at the top crescent with Accession Date AH 1322. "يحيى بن محمد" (Yahya bin Muhammad) written in the center crescent. "أمير المؤمنين، المتوكل على الله رب العلمين" [Amir al-Mumenin al-Mutawakkil 'Ala Allah Rab 'Alamin (Commander of the Faithful, who relies on Allah, the lord of the worlds)] written in the large bottom crescent. Mintage Years: AH1344, AH1345, AH1349, AH1353 (not confirmed), AH1358, AH1359, AH1360, AH1361/0, AH1362/0, AH1362, AH1363, AH1364, AH1365/4, AH1365, AH1366, AH1366/x and AH1367 (1926-1948).

Year: AH 1349 (1931). Weight: 6.24 g. Metal: Bronze. Diameter: 28.50 mm. Mintage: N/A.

Year: AH 1349 (1931). Weight: 5.34 g. Metal: Brass. Diameter: 29.00 mm. Mintage: N/A.

Same as above coin but having more thick legends on both sides of the coin. Sanah (or wave above date) is thicker and more towards right. Weight: 5.36 g.

Year: AH 1358 (1939). Weight: 5.71 g. Metal: Copper. Diameter: 29.00 mm. Mintage: N/A.

Same as above coin but having thin legends on both sides of the coin. Weight: 6.22 g.

Year: AH 1360 (1941). Weight: 6.48 g. Metal: Bronze. Diameter: 29.00 mm. Mintage: N/A.

Year: AH 1362 (1943). Weight: 6.34 g. Metal: Bronze. Diameter: 29.00 mm. Mintage: N/A.

Year: AH 1365 (1946). Weight: 5.88 g. Metal: Brass. Diameter: 29.00 mm. Mintage: N/A.

Year: AH 1366 (1947). Weight: 4.45 g. Metal: Copper. Diameter: 28.50 mm. Mintage: N/A.

Year: AH 1366 (1947). Weight: 4.66 g. Metal: Bronze. Diameter: 28.50 mm. Mintage: N/A.
 
 
Y#4.1 1/20 Riyal. Year: AH 1337-1366. Weight: 1.00 grams. Metal: Silver. Diameter: 16.00 mm. Edge: Plain. Alignment: Medal. Mint: Sana'a, Yemen. Obverse: "لا اله الا الله" (There is no God except Allah) written in center circle. "ضرب بصنعاء" (Struck at Sana'a) written at the top with star between these two words. Total four star outside center circle. Value "نصف عشر" (Half of one tenth = 1/20) written at the bottom with one Star between these two words. "Sanah" (meaning: Year in Arabic or wave symbol) above or below Date does not exist. Reverse: "نصره الله" (May Allah assist him) written at the top crescent with Accession Date AH 1322. "يحيى بن محمد" (Yahya bin Muhammad) written in the center crescent. "أمير المؤمنين، المتوكل على الله" [Amir al-Mumenin al-Mutawakkil 'Ala Allah (Commander of the Faithful, who relies on Allah)] written in the large bottom crescent. Mintage Years: AH1337, AH1338 Rare, AH1339 (Some strikes show accessional year as 322), AH1340 (Some strikes show accessional year as 322), AH1342, AH1343, AH1344, AH1345/2, AH1345, AH1347, AH1348, AH1349, AH1350, AH1351, AH1352, AH1353, AH1358, AH1359, AH1362/58, AH1362/59, AH1363, AH1364/46, AH1364, AHx364, AH1365, AH1366/44 and AH1366 (1918-1947).

Note: Without “Rabb al-Alamin”, in the crescent at the bottom. Varieties in arrangement of legends, size of circle, and with 3 and 4 stars on reverse exist. Variety of Y#4 dated with 2 digits AH(13)22 of the accessional year are considered local contemporary counterfeits by leading authorities. They are reported having been produced by the Zaraing tribe at Bait Al-Faqih.

Year: AH 1344 (1925). Weight: 0.93 g. Mintage: N/A.

Type1: Large date. Thick legends on both sides.

Type2: Same as above coin having thick center circle but small date. Weight: 0.98 g.

Type3: Same as above coin having thin center circle but large date. Weight: 0.99 g.

Year: AH 1345 (1926). Weight: 0.89 g. Mintage: N/A.

Year: AH 1359 (1940). Weight: 0.99 g. Mintage: N/A.

Year: AH 1364/46 (1945). Weight: 1.03 g. Mintage: N/A.

Note: Overlapped date variety.

Below are other varieties:

  • Y#B4 1/20 Riyal AH 1337. Without Sanah (wave symbol) above or below Year. Three stars on Date side.
  • Y#4.2 1/20 Riyal AH 1341 and AH x341. Sanah (wave symbol) below Year. Four stars on Date side.
  • Y#4.4 1/20 Riyal AH 1340. Date side border legend shifted to left. Three stars on Date side.
 
 
Y#5.5 1/10 Riyal. Year: AH 1342-1366. Weight: 2.00 grams. Metal: Silver. Diameter: 18.50 mm. Edge: Plain. Alignment: Medal. Mint: Sana'a, Yemen. Obverse: "لا اله الا الله" (There is no God except Allah) written in center circle. "ضرب بصنعاء" (Struck at Sana'a) written at the top with star between these two words. Total four star outside center circle. Value "عشر" (One tenth = 1/10) written at the bottom. "سنة" (Year) written above Date. Reverse: "نصره الله" (May Allah assist him) written at the top crescent with Accession Date AH 1322. "يحيى بن محمد" (Yahya bin Muhammad) written in the center crescent. "أمير المؤمنين، المتوكل على الله" [Amir al-Mumenin al-Mutawakkil 'Ala Allah (Commander of the Faithful, who relies on Allah)] written in the large bottom crescent. Mintage Years: AH1342, AH1343, AH1344, AH1345, AH1347, AH1348, AH1349, AH1350 (requires confirmation), AH1351, AH1352, AH1358/49, AH1358, AH1359/3, AH1359/49, AH1362/44, AH1362/59, AH1363, AH1364/43, AH1364/3, AH1364/52, AH1364, AH1365, AH1366/5 and AH1366/5x. (1923-1947).

Note: Without “Rabb al-Alamin”, in the crescent at the bottom. "Sanah" (wave symbol) above date. Form of crescent, size of circle and arrangement of legends vary. Normal Date side contains 6 stars though varieties with 7, 8, 9, 10, and 12 stars exist. Some earlier dates show varying amounts of edge reeding.

Year: AH 1342 (1923). Weight: 2.00 g. Mintage: N/A.

Note: 8 stars outside the circle and 2 stars within the center circle on the Date side.

Year: AH 1344 (1925). Weight: 1.88 g. Mintage: N/A.

Note: This coin has traces of Reeded edge.

Year: AH 1347 (1928). Weight: 2.08 g. Mintage: N/A.

Year: AH 1348 (1929). Weight: 2.11 g. Mintage: N/A.

Note: No "Sanah" (wave symbol) above Date.

Year: AH 1349 (1930). Weight: 2.19 g. Mintage: N/A.

Year: AH 1358 (1939). Weight: 1.95 g. Mintage: N/A.

Year: AH 1364/43 (1945). Weight: 1.92 g. Mintage: N/A.

Note: Overlapped date variety.

Year: AH 1365 (1946). Weight: 1.98 g. Mintage: N/A.

Year: AH 1366/5x (1946). Weight: 1.98 g. Mintage: N/A.

Note: Overlapped date variety.

Below are other varieties:

  • Y#5.1 1/10 Riyal AH 1337. Rabb al-Alamin without “Sanah" (wave symbol). It has varieties with 3, 4, and 5 stars. Size of circle and form of crescent varies.
  • Y#5.2 1/10 Riyal Without “Rabb al-Alamin" and without “Sanah" (wave symbol). Years: AH 1339, 1340, 1341 and 1348. Some AH1339 strikes show accession date as 322. AH1340 also exists with three stars, others with normal six stars.
  • Y#5.3 1/10 Riyal AH 1341 and 1342. Rabb al-Alamin with “Sanah" (wave symbol) above date. Varieties with 3 and 6 stars exist.
  • Y#5.4 1/10 Riyal AH 1342. Rabb al-Alamin with “Sanah" (wave symbol) above date. Varieties with 8, 9 and 10 stars on reverse exist.
 
 
Y#6.1 1/4 Riyal. Year: AH 1341-1362. Weight: 5.45 grams. Metal: Silver. Diameter: 24.00 mm. Edge: Plain / Reeded. Alignment: Medal. Mint: Sana'a, Yemen. Obverse: "لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا ٱلله مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُولُ ٱلله" (There is no God except Allah, Muhammad is the messenger of Allah) written in center circle. "ضرب" (Struck at) written at the top right side. "بصنعاء" (Sana'a) written at the top left side "ربع" (Quarter) written at the bottom right side. "عمادي" (Imadi) written at the bottom left side. "سنة" (Year) written above Date within the circle. Four stars in the outer circle.

Reverse: "نصره الله" (May Allah assist him) written at the top crescent with Accession Date AH 1322. "يحيى بن محمد" (Yahya bin Muhammad) written in the center crescent. "أمير المؤمنين، المتوكل على الله" [Amir al-Mumenin al-Mutawakkil 'Ala Allah (Commander of the Faithful, who relies on Allah)] written in the large bottom crescent. Without “Rabb al-Alamin”. Mintage Years: AH1341 and  AH1342.

Year: AH 1341 (1922). Weight: 4.91 g. Edge: Plain. Mintage: N/A.

Note: Two crescent flanking date. Sanah (Year) below the Date.

Year: AH 1342 (1923). Weight: 5.18 g. Edge: Plain. Mintage: N/A.

Note: Two stars flanking date. Sanah (Year) below the Date.
 
Y#10.1 1/4 Riyal. Year: AH 1342-1366. Weight: 5.45 grams. Metal: Silver. Diameter: 24.50 mm. Edge: Plain / Reeded. Alignment: Medal. Mint: Sana'a, Yemen. Obverse: "لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا ٱلله مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُولُ ٱلله" (There is no God except Allah, Muhammad is the messenger of Allah) written in center circle. "ضرب" (Struck at) written at the top right side. "بصنعاء" (Sana'a) written at the top left side "ربع" (Quarter) written at the bottom right side. "عمادي" (Imadi) written at the bottom left side. "سنة" (Year) written above Date within the circle.

Reverse: "نصره الله" (May Allah assist him) written at the top crescent with Accession Date AH 1322. "يحيى بن محمد" (Yahya bin Muhammad) written in the center crescent. "أمير المؤمنين، المتوكل على الله رب العلمين" [Amir al-Mumenin al-Mutawakkil 'Ala Allah Rab 'Alamin (Commander of the Faithful, who relies on Allah, the lord of the worlds)] written in the large bottom crescent. Mintage Years: AH1342 and AH1343.

Year: AH 1342 (1923). Weight: 5.11 g. Edge: Plain. Alignment: Slightly Rotated. Mintage: N/A.

Note: 10 crescents in circular form near the border of Accession Date variety.

Type1: Gap in the center of the center circle. Digit "4" in Date touching Sanah (wave symbol) above it.

Year: AH 1343 (1924). Weight: 5.34 g. Edge: Reeded traces. Mintage: N/A.

Note: 15 crescents in circular form near the border of Accession Date variety.

Type2: Date not touching Sanah (wave symbol) above it.

Year: AH 1343 (1924). Weight: 5.03 g. Edge: Plain. Mintage: N/A.

Note: 15 crescents in circular form near the border of Accession Date variety. 
 
Y#10.2 1/4 Riyal. Year: AH 1342-1366. Weight: 5.45 grams. Metal: Silver. Diameter: 24.50 mm. Edge: Plain / Reeded. Alignment: Medal. Mint: Sana'a, Yemen. Obverse: "عمادي" (Imadi) written at the top. "لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا ٱلله مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُولُ ٱلله" (There is no God except Allah, Muhammad is the messenger of Allah) written in center circle. "ربع" (Quarter) written at the left side anti-clockwise. "ضرب" (Struck at) written at the bottom. "بصنعاء" (Sana'a) written at the right side clock-wise. "سنة" (Year) written above Date. Reverse: "نصره الله" (May Allah assist him) written at the top crescent with Accession Date AH 1322. "يحيى بن محمد" (Yahya bin Muhammad) written in the center crescent. "أمير المؤمنين، المتوكل على الله رب العلمين" [Amir al-Mumenin al-Mutawakkil 'Ala Allah Rab 'Alamin (Commander of the Faithful, who relies on Allah, the lord of the worlds)] written in the large bottom crescent. Mintage Years: AH1344, AH1345, AH1349 (Requires Confirmation), AH1350 (rare), AH1351, AH1352, AH1358, AH1359, AH1363, AH1364/3, AH1364, AH1365/4, AH1365 and AH1366.

Note: Redesigned, date moved to margin. Edge: The size of the inner circle varies.12 to 16 crescents exist on the Accession Date side. Plain, traces of reeding to full reeding known.

Year: AH 1344 (1925). Weight: 5.36 g. Edge: Reeded. Mintage: N/A.

Note: 14 crescents in circular form near the border of Accession Date variety.

Year: AH 1345 (1926). Weight: 5.13 g. Edge: few Reeded traces. Diameter: 24.00 mm. Mintage: N/A.

Note: 15 crescents in circular form near the border of Accession Date variety.

Type1:

Year: AH 1358 (1939). Weight: 5.46 g. Edge: Plain. Mintage: N/A.

Note: 15 crescents in circular form near the border of Accession Date variety.

Type2:

Year: AH 1358 (1939). Weight: 5.14 g. Edge: Plain. Mintage: N/A.

Note: 16 crescents in circular form near the border of Accession Date variety.

Type1:

Year: AH 1359 (1940). Weight: 5.35 g. Edge: Plain. Mintage: N/A.

Note: 13 crescents in circular form near the border of Accession Date variety.

Type2:

Same as above coin but having 14 crescents in circular form near the border of Accession Date variety. Weight: 5.35 g.

Year: AH 1362 (1943). Weight: 5.66 g. Edge: Plain. Alignment: Slightly Rotated. Mintage: N/A.

Note: 14 crescents in circular form near the border of Accession Date variety.

Year: AH 1364/3 (1945). Weight: 5.62 g. Edge: Reeded. Mintage: N/A.

Note: 13 crescents in circular form near the border of Accession Date variety. Overlapped last digit in Date.

Type1:

Year: AH 1364 (1945). Weight: 5.40 g. Edge: Plain. Mintage: N/A.

Note: 14 crescents in circular form near the border of Accession Date variety.

Type2: Same as above coin with 14 crescents, but the legend on the left are overlapping the crescents. Weight: 4.93 g.

Year: AH 1365/4 (1946). Weight: 5.57 g. Edge: Plain. Diameter: 24.00 mm. Mintage: N/A.

Note: 14 crescents in circular form near the border of Accession Date variety. Overlapped last digit in Date.

Year: AH 1366 (1947). Weight: 5.39 g. Edge: Plain. Mintage: N/A.

Note: 15 crescents in circular form near the border of Accession Date variety.
Below are other varieties:
  • Y#6.1 1/4 Imadi Riyal Silver. Without “Rabb al-Alamin”, with crescent below accession date AH1322. "Sanah” (wave symbol) below date.
    • AH1341: with 4 stars outside the center circle on Date side.
    • AH1342: with 4 stars outside the center circle on Date side and One star on each side of the Date (Total 6 stars).
  • Y#6.2 1/4 Imadi Riyal AH1342 Silver. With “Rabb al-Alamin”, crescent below accession date AH1322. "Sanah” (wave symbol) above date. Two stars (one at the top and one at the bottom) and two leaf ornaments (one at the left and the other on the side side).
  • Y#6.5 1/4 Imadi Riyal AH1342 Silver. With “Rabb al-Alamin”, Crescent below accession date AH1322. "Sanah” (wave symbol) below date. Eight stars in border.
  • Y#6.6 1/4 Imadi Riyal AH1342 Silver. With “Rabb al-Alamin”, Crescent below accession date AH1322. "Sanah” (wave symbol) below date. Two leaf ornaments, One star in border and One star on each side of the Date (Total 3 stars). Also two stars in border variety exist making total 4 stars.
 
 
Y#7 Riyal. Year: AH 1342-1365. Weight: 28.00 grams. Metal: Silver. Diameter: 39.00 mm. Edge: Decorative and Lettering "ا ل م ل ك لله  +*+  ا ل ع زلله +*+". These alphabets if combine makes "الملك لله العزلله" (Allah is The King, Allah is Great). Alignment: Medal. Mint: Sana'a, Yemen. Obverse: "عمادي" (Imadi) written at the top. "لا اله الا الله" (There is no God except Allah) written in center circle in the top section and "محمد رسول الله" (Muhammad is the prophet of God) written in the center circle at the bottom section. "ضرب بدار الخلافة صنعا اليمن ١٣٤٤" (Struck at the capital city Sana'a, Yemen 1344) written at the bottom section outside the center circle. Leaf ornament at top left and top right sides. Reverse: "نصره الله" (May Allah assist him) written at the top crescent with Accession Date AH 1322. "يحيى بن محمد حميد الدين" (Yahya bin Muhammad Hamid Ad-din) written in the center crescent. "أمير المؤمنين، المتوكل على الله رب العلمين" [Amir al-Mumenin al-Mutawakkil 'Ala Allah Rab 'Alamin (Commander of the Faithful, who relies on Allah, the lord of the worlds)] written in the large bottom crescent. Wreath at the bottom section. Mintage Years: AH1342, AH1344 and AH1365 (1365 have two known pieces).

Type1: The leaf ornament at top left and top right sides are bend downwards on the Date side. Wreath at the bottom section is close to the border and above legends on the Accession date side. The circular border lines on both sides of the coins are very close. Year: AH 1344 (1925). Weight: 28.06 grams. Not clipped. Edge lettering on this coin in my collection is readable when the Accession Date "1322" side it at the top.

Type2: Same as Type1 but legend on both sides differ in size and position. The Date 1344 is more downwards and away from the center. Thin line crosses through the center of the coin (thinker in the center circle). Year: AH 1344 (1925). Weight: 28.06 grams. Clip removed from top and bottom ends. Edge lettering on this coin in my collection is readable when the Accession Date "1322" side it at the top.

Type3: The leaf ornament at top left and top right sides are bend upwards on the Date side. Wreath at the bottom section is far to the border and above legends on the Accession date side. The circular border lines on both sides of the coins are less and far from each other. Year: AH 1344 (1925). Weight: 28.04 grams. Clip removed from top end. Edge lettering on this coin in my collection is readable when the Accession Date "1322" side it at the top.
 
 
Early coins of Yemen dynasties:

Click below on earlier coinage of British India used in South of Yemen (Aden):

  • East India Company (inc. William IV and Victoria)16 Aug 1765 - 30 Sep 1858
  • Victoria.........................................01 Nov 1858 - 22 Jan 1901
  • Edward VII.......................................22 Jan 1901 - 06 May 1910
  • George V.........................................06 May 1910 - 20 Jan 1936
  • George VI........................................12 Dec 1936 - 15 Aug 1947

Rulers with Coins of Yemen states under British Protectorate:

Mutawakkilite Kingdom coins:

Rulers and Coins of Yemen 1962 to 1990 can be viewed by clicking the below links:

Rulers and Coins of "Republic of Yemen", 1990 to date can be viewed at:
 
 
 
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Chiefa Coins