QATAR. Lot of (2). Qatar Currency Board. 500 Riyals, ND (ca. 1970s). P-Unlisted. Printers Models. PMG Uncirculated 62 & Choice Uncirculated 63.Believed to date back to the 1970s or perhaps the 1980s, these are two separate printers models for a proposed 500 Riyals issue from Qatar. Completely unlike any notes ever issued by Qatar, we an only assume that both of these are unique, as they feature both hand drawn and pasted on elements. The front features a stylistic design with pleasing pastel colors, while the back model features what appears to be an oil refinery or similar factory in a lovely light blue and completely unlike anything weve ever seen.<p><p>At the time this was created, Qatar was a small but rapidly developing Gulf state, heavily reliant on its burgeoning oil and natural gas industries. The early 1980s marked a period of significant economic growth and modernization as the country began investing its oil revenues into infrastructure and public services. This era also saw the beginning of Qatars emergence as a key player in regional and international affairs, setting the stage for its future prominence on the global stage.<p>Items such as this pair are rare for any country, as they were generally kept by the printers or designers and few have come to the secondary market. They are of particular interest to collectors of the Gulf Region, as many countries (including Qatar) have a fairly recent banknote issuance. The first bank notes for Qatar (after the Qatar & Dubai series) were introduced in 1973, and while completion is challenging, many advanced collectors seek items such as those offered in this lot to further enhance a collection. An outstanding opportunity for the Middle Eastern specialist, not to be missed. PMG Comments "Pieces Missing."
