Catalog
| Issuer | North Yemen |
|---|---|
| Year | 1919-1947 |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Value | 1/20 Rial |
| Currency | Rial (1918-1974) |
| Composition | Silver |
| Weight | 0.9 g |
| Diameter | 15.30 mm |
| Thickness | 0.65 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Technique | |
| Orientation | Medal alignment ↑↑ |
| Engraver(s) | |
| In circulation to | |
| Reference(s) | Y#4, Schön#4 |
| Obverse description | |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Arabic |
| Obverse lettering | |
| Reverse description | |
| Reverse script | Arabic |
| Reverse lettering | |
| Edge | Plain |
| Mint | |
| Mintage |
1337 (1919) - Y#4.1 - 1338 (1920) - Y#4.1 - 1339 (1921) - Y#4.1 - 1340 (1922) - Y#4.1 - 1340 (1922) - Y#4.3 - 1341 (1923) - Y#4.2 - 1342 (1924) - Y#4.1 - 1343 (1925) - Y#4.1 - 1344 (1926) - Y#4.1 - 1345 (1927) - Y#4.1 - 1347 (1929) - Y#4.1 - 1348 (1930) - Y#4.1 - 1349 (1931) - Y#4.1 - 1350 (1932) - Y#4.1 - 1351 (1933) - Y#4.1 - 1352 (1934) - Y#4.1 - 1353 (1935) - Y#4.1 ١٣٥٣ - 1358 (1939) - Y#4.1 - 1359 (1940) - Y#4.1 - 1362 (1943) - Y#4.1 - 1363 (1944) - Y#4.1 - 1364 (1945) - Y#4.1 - 1365 (1946) - Y#4.1 - 1366 (1947) - Y#4.1 - |
| Numisquare ID | 2980062310 |
| Additional information |
Historical Context: The 1/20 Riyal of Imam Yahya Muhammad Hamid ed-Din, struck between 1919 and 1947, represents a crucial period in North Yemeni history. Following the Ottoman withdrawal, Imam Yahya consolidated power, establishing the Mutawakkilite Kingdom of Yemen. This coinage served as a tangible symbol of his sovereignty and the nascent state's independence, reflecting his efforts to modernize and centralize authority while navigating complex regional politics and asserting Yemen's self-determination on the world stage.
Artistry: The design of this small silver denomination adheres to traditional Islamic numismatic aesthetics. While the engraver remains anonymous, the stylistic school emphasizes elegant Arabic calligraphy. The obverse and reverse typically feature the ruler's name and titles, the mint city of Sana'a, and the Hijri date, often accompanied by a religious invocation. The aniconic nature of the design prioritizes the clear transmission of textual information over figurative imagery, characteristic of the region's coinage during this era.
Technical/Grading: With a weight of 0.9 grams and a diameter of 15.30 millimeters, this 1/20 Riyal is a diminutive piece. High-points for grading typically include the raised elements of the central inscriptions, particularly the ruler's name and the date. Due to the manual striking methods prevalent at the time, examples often exhibit weak strikes, planchet irregularities, and off-centering. Full, sharp details across all calligraphic elements are rare, making well-centered, fully struck specimens highly desirable for advanced collectors.