Oman 1 Rial Commemorative 2025 Pick 56 Polymer UNC Banknote
The Oman 1 Rial 2025 Pick 56 represents a milestone in the history of Omani currency: it is the Sultanate’s first-ever polymer banknote.
Issued by the Central Bank of Oman, this circulating commemorative note combines the country’s natural heritage, cultural identity and ambitious economic development projects in a sophisticated modern polymer design.
Although dated 2025 / AH 1447, the banknote was officially placed into circulation on 11 January 2026. It remains legal tender and circulates alongside Oman’s conventional cotton-paper banknotes. omannews.gov.om
Historical Background
The Central Bank of Oman announced the new commemorative 1 Rial on 21 December 2025, describing it as the first polymer banknote in Omani currency history. omannews.gov.om
Its release date, 11 January 2026, coincided with Oman’s Accession Day, marking the anniversary of Sultan Haitham bin Tariq’s accession to the throne on 11 January 2020. commemorativenotes.blogspot.com
Rather than focusing exclusively on historical monuments, the design highlights contemporary Oman. The Oman Botanic Garden represents conservation and biodiversity, while the Duqm Port and Refinery reflect the Sultanate’s economic diversification and infrastructure development. currencyaffairs.org
Technical Specifications
- Country: Oman
- Denomination: 1 Rial
- Year: 2025 / AH 1447
- Issue Date: 11 January 2026
- Pick Number: P-56
- Banknote Book: B245a
- Condition: Uncirculated (UNC)
- Issuer: Central Bank of Oman
- Currency: Omani Rial (OMR)
- Material: Polymer
- Polymer Technology: GUARDIAN®
- Dimensions: 145 × 76 mm
- Sultan: Haitham bin Tariq
- Obverse: Sultan Haitham bin Tariq / Oman Botanic Garden
- Reverse: Sayyid Tariq bin Taimur Cultural Complex / Duqm Port / Duqm Refinery
- Type: Circulating commemorative banknote
- Status: Legal tender
Obverse
The obverse features:
- Portrait of Sultan Haitham bin Tariq
- Oman Botanic Garden
- Frankincense trees
- Large transparent polymer window
- Arched architectural motifs inspired by the Botanic Garden
- Colour-changing frankincense tree
- Central Bank of Oman inscriptions
- One Rial denomination
- Omani national symbols
The Oman Botanic Garden was selected to symbolise the country’s commitment to the preservation of its biodiversity and natural heritage. currencyaffairs.org
One of the most visually impressive features is the large transparent window, designed to resemble the distinctive arched windows of the Oman Botanic Garden. omannews.gov.om
Reverse
The reverse depicts:
- Sayyid Tariq bin Taimur Cultural Complex
- Port of Duqm
- Duqm Refinery
- Central Bank of Oman visual identity
- One Rial denomination
- Iridescent security elements
The combination is deliberate: the cultural complex represents Omani identity and heritage, while Duqm Port and Refinery symbolise the country’s modern infrastructure and economic development. currencyaffairs.org
Security Features
As Oman’s first polymer note, P-56 introduces security technology fundamentally different from that of the country’s traditional cotton-paper banknotes.
Features include:
- GUARDIAN® polymer substrate
- Large transparent window
- Architectural window design inspired by the Oman Botanic Garden
- Optically variable ink
- Colour-changing frankincense tree
- Iridescent ink
- Central Bank of Oman pattern on the reverse
- Complex transparent and printed elements
- Raised printing
- Fine-line security patterns
- Advanced polymer anti-counterfeiting technology omannews.gov.om
The development team involved the Central Bank of Oman, Giesecke+Devrient and CCL Secure, with CCL Secure’s GUARDIAN substrate providing the polymer platform. currencyaffairs.org
Why Add This Banknote to Your Collection?
The Oman 1 Rial Commemorative 2025 Pick 56 Polymer UNC banknote has unusually strong significance for a modern 1 Rial issue because it represents Oman’s first transition into polymer currency.
It is particularly suitable for collectors of Omani banknotes, Middle Eastern currency, first polymer issues, commemorative banknotes, modern Gulf currency, Sultan Haitham issues and UNC world banknotes.
Collector’s Note
The most important fact about Pick 56 is straightforward: this is Oman’s first polymer banknote. It is catalogued as P-56 / B245a, dated 2025 (AH 1447), while its actual circulation date is 11 January 2026. banknoteworld.org
That means you will encounter dealers describing the same banknote as either “Oman 1 Rial 2025” or “Oman 1 Rial 2025/2026.” For UNCNOTE, I would keep 2025 in the main product title because that is the date of the banknote, and explain the 2026 release date in the description.
There is also an interesting distinction between the circulating and collector presentation issues. The Central Bank confirmed that P-56 is normal legal tender, but additionally prepared 1,000 uncut sheets and 10,000 individual notes in specially designed commemorative envelopes for collectors. omannews.gov.om
This combination of first polymer issue + commemorative status + regular legal-tender circulation makes P-56 one of the most notable modern Omani banknotes.
