2 1/2 Riyals - Saqr

Ras al-Khaimah was the last of the Trucial States to join the United Arab Emirates, holding out until February 1972 under Ruler Saqr bin Mohammed al-Qasimi, who was deeply reluctant to cede sovereignty. The 1970 issues were struck during the final window before federation negotiations made independent coinage politically untenable — produced largely for collector sale rather than circulation, as the Qatar and Dubai riyal was already the de facto currency on the street.

The series was minted by the West German firm Prägewerk München. Very little of it ever saw a market stall in Ras al-Khaimah itself.