The Central Bank of Oman (CBO) has issued a commemorative OMR 1 polymer banknote, the first fully polymer banknote in the country’s history. The new banknote was put into circulation on January 11, 2026, to coincide with Oman’s national celebration of Accession Day when Sultan Haitham bin Tarik assumed the throne in 2020, ushering in Oman’s “Renewed Renaissance.”
The commemorative note is produced on a GUARDIAN™ polymer substrate, assuring extended durability.
Visual design represents Oman’s national identity
The CBO describes the aesthetic design of the new note as incorporating “a combination of the national achievements such as the Oman Botanic Garden on the front side and Sayyid Tarik bin Taimour Cultural Complex, Duqm Port and Duqm Refinery on the back side of the banknote, creating a wonderful blend of Omani national identity.”
Face of Oman’s new commemorative banknote
The face of the commemorative note features the Oman Botanic Garden.
Back side of Oman’s new commemorative banknote
The reverse side of the note depicts the Sayyid Tariq bin Taimur Cultural Complex and the Port/Refinery of Duqm.
Modern security features to fight counterfeiting
The commemorative banknote integrates several cutting-edge security features to help thwart counterfeiters. These features include the following:
- On both sides of the note: A large transparent arched window in the shape of those in the Oman Botanic Garden. This window includes a CAMEO™ effect, which involves printing a combination of multi-colored and color-shifting GSWITCH™ inks with a multi-tonal CAMEO image.
- On the face of the note: the Frankincense Tree is presented in optically variable ink.
- On the reverse side of the note: The CBO pattern appears in IRISWITCH™, an iridescent ink.
The commemorative note will circulate alongside existing currency
The commemorative note belongs to the 2025 series and will circulate alongside Oman’s existing banknotes (including the paper-based 1 Rial note) as legal tender.
Sources/References:
Central Bank of Oman
Banknote Industry News
Muscat Daily
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