2008 Oman 25 Baisa, Steel

First coin from Oman ever. It was given to me by a friend who knows I collect after he found it in his change. It may have been given to him at his work's cafeteria, he was not sure. Typical of Islamic countries this coin has few images and no people.

Even if you cannot read the words the symbol on coins from Oman are easier to identify. Crossed swords under a sheathed traditional khanjar dagger under chain linked symbolic flags. The rim has dashes all around and the edge is reeded.

On the bottom is the dual dated year in Arabic, read backwards as 1428 - 2008. The denomination is huge in the center saying 25 with the Oman national arms on either side. The rim has the dashes like on the other side.

This coin is nickel clad steel and is strongly attracted to magnets. There is supposed to be a copper-nickel version but it is not listed in my older world coin books. In most modern coin books Oman is the only O country listed.

I know little about Oman. It is an oil rich country that is very Islamic and sits at the edge of the middle east. They use the rial which is equivalent to about $2.65 in U.S. dollars. The baisa is 1/1000 of a rial so less then a cent in exchange rates. The lowest circulating money is a 5 baisa coin which is like a penny. The highest circulating money is the 50 rial bill which is like the $100 bill in the U.S.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 25 Baisa  / Oman
Year: 2008
Mintage: Not yet known.
Metal: Nickel-Clad Steel
Value: $0.35 in EF-40

Do you have a cent from Oman and want to know its value? Leave a comment/question and I will do my best to find out the price and history for you.