If you’re collecting coins from the small nation of Kuwait you need to know how Kuwait’s coin system works. Understanding them makes adding Kuwait rare coins to your collection all the more rewarding.
Kuwaiti dinar coins
Kuwait’s main unit of currency is the dinar. Coins in regular circulation are only issued in fils (see below) but several collectible dinar proof coins have been released to the market.
Arabic script:
dinar = دينار
Denominations
Although a coin of 100 fils is equal to 1 Kuwaiti dinar, we consider that a fils coin and not a dinar coin. For Kuwaiti rare coins actually using “dinar”, the following denominations exist:
- 2 dinars (first issued: 1976)
- 5 dinars (first: 1961)
- 50 dinars (first: 1986)
- 100 dinars (first: 1981)
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Buying Kuwaiti dinars coins today
Kuwaiti proof dinar coins exist in both silver and gold. Many quasi-coins (such as the 5 dinar “Kuwait is Free” pieces that were issued following Saddam Hussein’s retreat from Kuwait in 1991) are also highly collectible. Online vendors usually have a fine selection of Kuwait dinar coins on offer, and the selection changes often.
Kuwait 2 dinar coins
Kuwait has issued two separate 2 dinar coins as commemorative pieces for collectors. Both coins are silver. First, Kuwait issued a 2 dinar coin in 1976 to commemorate 15 years of independence from Britain. Both proof (KM# 15a) and circulated (KM# 15) versions exist, the proof having a purer silver content. The coin shows a double bust of Kuwaiti emirs on the obverse; the reverse shows a castle, towers, and boats.
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In 1995 another 2 dinar coin was issued (KM# 24), this time to honor the 50 year anniversary of the United Nations. This coin has the same silver content as the 1976 proof. The obverse of this coin shows a white dove of peace opening its wings against a background of radiating lines.
One interesting thing about 2 dinar coins specifically is that there is no 2 fils coin, so these are the only Kuwait rare coins worth two of something. Uniqueness!
Kuwait 5 dinar coins
Kuwait has issued a few different special coins in 5 dinar denominations. Rarest of all is a gold proof coin (KM# 8) minted in 1961, the year of Kuwait’s independence from being a British Protectorate and the earliest Kuwaiti proof coin.
This scarce piece was followed in 1981 by two separate silver proof coins: one (KM# 16) to celebrate the 15th century of the hijra, Mohammed’s journey in the year 622; and another (KM# 18) to commemorate Kuwait’s 20-year independence.
In 1986 Kuwait issued another 5 dinar coin (KM# 20), again in silver and this time to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Kuwaiti currency.
Kuwait 50 dinar coins
In 1986, Kuwait issued a 50 dinar coin (KM# 21) as a gold proof collectible piece; this coin commemorates twenty-five years of Kuwaiti independence from Britain (1961). The coin features Kuwaiti symbols including the numismatically ubiquitous dhow, plus English and Arabic inscriptions (as is the case with many Kuwait coins).
Kuwait 100 dinar coins
Kuwait issued two special 100 dinar coins in 1981, both as gold proofs. The first coin (KM# 17) commemorates the beginning of the fifteenth century of hijra, the journey of Mohammed to Medina in 622. The obverse of this coin shows a bridge and ship’s wheel, while the reverse shows a scene from modern Kuwait.
Another Kuwaiti 1981 gold proof coin (KM# 19) honors the emirate’s twentieth year of British independence. Both sides of this coin feature buildings. Both of these gold proof coins can be hard to find. Watching online sales listings with diligence is the best way to get lucky.
Kuwaiti fils coins
The fils is the subunit of the Kuwaiti dinar. Fils is the singular form; the proper plural is fulus but it is common to see “fils” used for both singular and plural, even in Krause catalogs. (Note too that “fil” is sometimes mistakenly used as a singular form.) Following tradition, we use fils as the plural form on these pages.
Arabic script:
fils = فلس
fulus = فلوس
Denominations
Fils coins have been minted since 1961 in six different denominations:
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- 1 fils
- 5 fils
- 10 fils
- 20 fils
- 50 fils
- 100 fils (=1 dinar)
Each of the above coins had proofs made in 1961 and 1962, and also special silver and gold proof versions in 1987. The 1 fils coin was discontinued in 1988.
Buying Kuwaiti fils coins today
As the only denomination meant for general circulation in Kuwait, fils coins are readily available in the coin-buying marketplace. Listings come and go and the best examples see lots of competition from other buyers, so keep an eye out for pieces that suit your collection. Kuwait rare coins can be pricey but quite a few are affordable, another reason to concentrate on this area of the hobby.
Kuwait 1 fils coins
Kuwait’s 1 fils coins first appeared in 1961, the first year of Kuwaiti independence from Britain, as the lowest-denomination coin in circulation. From that first year, a proof is also available; however, in 1962 the design of the coin was changed slightly. The coin was minted several times in the ensuing years.
In 1987, gold and silver proof versions of the coin were created for collectors. In 1988, the general-circulation nickel-brass 1 fils coin was discontinued. Like other Kuwaiti coins, the 1 fils coin features English and Arabic inscriptions with the value on the obverse and a dhow (boat) on the reverse.
Kuwait 5 fils coins
The 5 fils coin was also first introduced in 1961. After the first year, in which a proof was also released, the Kuwaiti 5 fils coin was slightly redesigned, but overall the design has remained the same. As with other Kuwait coins, the reverse of the 5 fils coin shows a dhow.
In 1987, gold and silver 5-fils coin proofs (KM# 10a and 10b, respectively) were issued. These Kuwait rare coins are beloved by many.
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Kuwait 10 fils coins
The Kuwaiti 10 fils coin is a nickel-brass coin that has been minted since 1961. Like other Kuwaiti coins, there was a proof version released in 1961, and in 1962 the design was slightly changed. In 1987, Kuwait minted special collectors’ versions of the 10 fils coin as gold and silver proofs.
Kuwait 20 fils coins
Kuwait began using 20 fils coins in 1961, releasing a proof that year as well as 20 fils coins for general circulation. In 1962 the design was altered slightly. Twenty fils coins have been minted frequently by Kuwait. A special year in the coin’s history was 1987, in which both silver and gold proof versions were issued to the collector’s market. Like other Kuwait rare coins, the obverse of the 20 fils coin shows the value while the reverse depicts a dhow at sail.
Kuwait 50 fils coins
Kuwait also first issued 50 fils coins, its second-highest general-circulation coin, in 1961. Fifty fils coins are copper-nickel. A proof 50 fils coin was issued in 1961, like other Kuwaiti coins. In 1962 the design was slightly changed. The obverse of the coin shows the coin’s denomination in Arabic, and the word “KUWAIT” in English. The reverse shows a dhow (boat). In 1987, Kuwait released silver and gold proof versions of all its coins, including the 50 fils coin (KM# 13a and 13b).
Kuwait 100 fils coins
Kuwait’s highest-denomination coin intended for general use is the 100 fils coin, equal to one dinar. It was first issued in 1961. Proofs were made in 1961 and in 1962, the year that the coin’s design was slightly updated. Hundred-fils coins are copper-nickel. In 1987, Kuwait issued special collectors’ versions of the 100 fils coin, in silver and gold proofs (KM# 14a and 14b, respectively).
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How to collect Kuwait rare coins today
Buying Kuwait rare coins for your collection today is a fun and not too complicated pursuit. Numerous online vendors frequently update listings as new Kuwaiti coins are offered for sale (or auction) and existing ones are snapped up.
Because Kuwait rare coin history is fairly simple it is possible to complete a collection no matter what your approach is. One single denomination from every possible year? A complete set from every year? All the silver and gold proofs? Your own Kuwait rare coins collection is only limited by your passion, time, and budget!
