Yemen No Date 1 riyal c/m taler KM-4.1
The Mutawakkilite Kingdom began forming in 1890 AD, but it was not until 1911 that the local ruler (Yahya bin Muhammad, who came to power in AH 1322 / 1904 AD) was recognized as both the secular and religious head by the occupying (but weakening) Ottoman forces. In 1919 AD, the Ottomans officially abandoned any attempt at a military or political presence in Yemen. The first local coinage to recognize independent Yemenese rule was struck in AH 1342 (1924 AD).
The new coinage was based on the standard of the Maria Teresa thaler (import of which was banned under the Ottomans, who wished to force Turkish coinage on the population). Thus the thaler was equal to 1 riyal, with fractions of 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/10, 1/20, 1/40, and 1/80. The fraction 1/40 riyal was known as 1 buqsha.
Shown is a countermarked Maria Teresa Thaler. It was lot 863 in an auction by Dr. Busso Peus Nachfolger on Nov. 3, 2010, and sold for US$489. The catalog description reads: "A Group of Exceptional Coins of the Imams of the Yemen al-Mansûr billâh Muhammad ibn Yahyâ, 1307-1322 H/1890-1904 AD Maria Theresia Taler (Günzburg 1780) 27.91 g. countermarked with an obverse die for a 1/20 riyal of imam Yahyâ (type issued 1337-1366 H, K./M. Y. 4. 1). Very fine."
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver.
Catalog reference: Y#4.1.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- Pridmore, Fred. "The Modern Coins of the Mutawakkilite Kingdom of the Yemen", Seaby's Coin and Medal Bulletin, May 1962. pp 231-340.
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