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1/4 Riyal - Ahmad
| Issuer | North Yemen |
|---|---|
| Year | 1948-1961 |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
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| Reverse description | The reverse presents the Shahada — the Islamic declaration of faith — inscribed in prominent, bold Arabic calligraphy within a raised circular central cartouche. The text reads 'لا إله إلا الله محمد رسول الله' (There is no god but God; Muhammad is the Messenger of God), arranged in three lines. Surrounding the central cartouche is an ornamental border filled with continuous Arabic inscriptions bearing additional royal and religious titles, interspersed with decorative floral and star motifs. A Hijri date appears at the base of the outer legend. The overall layout follows the traditional Zaydi Imamate coinage style, with text as the sole decorative element. |
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| Edge | Plain |
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| Additional information |
The Mutawakkilite Kingdom of Yemen under Imam Ahmad ibn Yahya operated in near-total economic isolation, and coins of this period circulated alongside a patchwork of foreign currency — Indian rupees, Maria Theresa thalers, and Ottoman survivors all passed through Yemeni markets simultaneously. Ahmad's administration made no serious effort to displace these imports, which meant domestic silver issues like this quarter riyal served a narrowly defined role in official transactions rather than everyday trade.
The Hijri dating places production across multiple years of Ahmad's reign, though attributing specific strikes to specific years is complicated by inconsistent die use at the San'a mint.