The Bahraini dinar (BHD) is the official currency of Bahrain and has been since 1965 when it replaced the Gulf rupee. It is one of only six currencies worldwide that are divided into 1000 units, in this case, 1000 fils. The Bahraini dinar is the second-highest valued currency in the world after the Kuwaiti dinar. It is pegged to the US dollar at a rate of 2.659:1.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Currency of | Bahrain |
Currency code | BHD |
Currency symbol | .د.ب or BD |
Introduced | 1965 |
Replaced | Gulf rupee |
Exchange rate | 10 rupees = 1 dinar |
Equivalent to | 3/4 of a pound sterling (15 shillings) |
Divided into | 1000 fils |
Pegged to | IMF's special drawing rights (SDRs) |
Exchange rate (since 2001) | 1 dinar = 2.6596 US dollar |
Denominations (Banknotes) | ½, 1, 5, 10 and 20 dinars |
Denominations (Coins) | 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, and 500 fils |
What You'll Learn
The Bahraini dinar is the official currency of Bahrain
Bahrain is an affluent island country in the Persian Gulf, located next to Saudi Arabia. Its thriving oil and gas sector contributes to its wealth. The Bahraini dinar is the second highest-valued currency unit in the world, with 1 dinar equalling 2.65 United States dollars as of December 2021.
The Central Bank of Bahrain issues the country's banknotes and coins. Banknotes are available in denominations of 1/2, 1, 5, 10, and 20 dinars, while coins are available in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, and 500 fils. The Bahraini dinar notes feature distinct designs that reflect the country's rich history, culture, and modern achievements. For example, the notes may showcase images of Bahrain's ancient heritage, such as the Bahrain Fort, alongside symbols of its modern development, such as the Bahrain World Trade Center.
When travelling to Bahrain, it is important to carry Bahraini dinars as the official currency. While credit and debit cards are widely accepted, particularly in larger cities and tourist spots, there may be places that only accept cash, especially in smaller towns or for services such as taxis. It is also worth noting that while Saudi riyals may be accepted in some locations due to close economic ties, particularly in cities like Khobar and Dammam, it is not widely accepted across the country. Therefore, it is recommended to use Bahraini dinars or credit cards for payments to avoid any issues.
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It is divided into 1000 fils
The Bahraini dinar (BHD) is the currency of Bahrain. It has been the country's official currency since 1965, when it replaced the Gulf rupee at a rate of 10 rupees to 1 dinar. The Bahraini dinar is the second-highest valued currency unit in the world, after the Kuwaiti dinar. This is largely due to Bahrain's vast oil wealth, combined with domestic political stability and economic policies.
The Bahraini dinar is divided into 1000 fils. The highest-value coin of Bahrain, 100 fils, is equivalent to one-tenth of a dinar. Coins from 100 fils to 5 fils are currently in use in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The 1, 5, and 10 fils coins are the smallest in value and are made from brass-plated steel. The 100 fils coin is bi-metallic and features the coat of arms of Bahrain on one side and the denomination on the other. The 50 fils coin was cancelled following the Bahraini protests of 2011-2014 and is no longer considered legal tender.
The Bahraini dinar is abbreviated in Arabic as د.ب. (or BD in Latin). It is usually represented with three decimal places denoting the fils. The name "dinar" is derived from the Roman "denarius". The Bahraini dinar is regulated and issued by the Central Bank of Bahrain, which also issues banknotes in denominations of 1/2, 1, 5, 10, and 20 dinars.
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The currency code for the Bahraini dinar is BD or BHD
The Bahraini dinar is the official currency of Bahrain and has been since 1965 when it replaced the Gulf rupee. It is the second-highest valued currency in the world after the Kuwaiti dinar. The Bahraini dinar is pegged to the US dollar at a rate of 2.659:1. The Central Bank of Bahrain manages the currency and began circulating notes with enhanced security features in 2016. The new notes also have raised lines to assist the visually impaired.
The Bahraini dinar banknotes have denominations of 0.5, 1, 5, 10, and 20 dinars. The country also has coins valued at 1, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, and 500 fils.
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The Bahraini dinar is the second highest-valued currency unit in the world
The Bahraini dinar is the second-highest valued currency in the world, after the Kuwaiti dinar. As of December 2021, it is worth 2.65 United States dollars per unit. The Bahraini dinar has been the official currency of Bahrain, an island nation in the Persian Gulf, since 1965, when it replaced the Gulf rupee. Bahrain's economy relies heavily on oil and gas, with refined petroleum being its largest export.
The Bahraini dinar is denoted by the currency code BHD and the symbol د.ب (Arabic) or BD (Latin). It is divided into 1000 fils and is usually represented with three decimal places denoting the fils. The name "dinar" comes from the Roman "denarius", the original standard silver coin used as currency during Roman times from 211 BC for about 500 years.
The Bahraini dinar is pegged to the US dollar at a rate of 2.659:1. This means that the value of the BHD is directly tied to the value of the US dollar. The Central Bank of Bahrain manages the currency and began circulating notes with enhanced security features in 2016. The new notes also have raised lines to assist the visually impaired.
The Bahraini dinar has been the official currency of Bahrain since 1965. The Bahrain Currency Board introduced notes in denominations of 1/2, 1, 5 and 10 dinars in October 1965. A 100-fils note was introduced in September 1967. In 1973, the Bahrain Monetary Agency took over the issuance of paper money, introducing a new family of notes dated 1973 in Arabic. Denominations of 1/2, 1, 5 and 10 dinars were released in December 1979. The Bahrain Monetary Agency released a third issue of notes (its second issue) with the same denominations of 1/2 to 20 dinars in March 1993. This series was upgraded in 1998 with various modifications to colour and security features.
Bahrain is a wealthy country due to its thriving oil and gas sector. It is a kingdom that has been ruled by the same family since the 18th century and achieved independence from Britain in 1971, becoming an official monarchy in 2002.
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The Bahraini dinar replaced the Gulf rupee in 1965
The Bahraini dinar (BHD) is the official currency of Bahrain and has been since 1965 when it replaced the Gulf rupee. Before 1965, Bahrain used the Persian Gulf rupee as its currency. The Gulf rupee was the official currency used in the British protectorates of the Arabian Peninsula around the Persian Gulf between 1959 and 1966 (1970 in Oman). These areas today form the countries of Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates.
The Bahraini dinar was introduced in 1965, replacing the Gulf rupee at a rate of 10 rupees = 1 dinar. It was initially equivalent to three-quarters of a pound sterling (15 shillings). When sterling was devalued in 1967, the dinar was re-pegged to 17s 6d sterling (7/8 of a pound). Bahraini coins and notes were introduced at that time.
Initially, Abu Dhabi adopted the Bahraini dinar but changed to the dirham in 1973, with 1 dirham = 100 fils = 0.100 dinar. In December 1980, the dinar was officially pegged to the IMF's special drawing rights (SDRs). In practice, it is fixed at $1 USD = 0.376 BHD, which translates to approximately 1 BHD = $2.65957 and, consequently, just over 9.9734 Saudi Arabian riyals.
In 1965, coins were introduced in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 25, 50 and 100 fils. The 1, 5 and 10 fils were struck in bronze, with the others in cupro-nickel. The 1 fils coin was not produced after 1966 and no longer circulates. A bimetallic 100 fils coin was introduced in October 1992. In 1992, brass replaced bronze in the 5 and 10 fils.
On 16 October 1965, the Bahrain Currency Board introduced notes in denominations of 1/2, 1, 5 and 10 dinars; a 100-fils note was introduced on 2 September 1967. In 1973, the Bahrain Monetary Agency took over the issuance of paper money, and starting in July 1978 with a 20-dinar note, it introduced a new family of notes dated 1973 in Arabic. Denominations of 1/2, 1, 5 and 10 dinars were released on 16 December 1979. The 100-fils note of the Bahrain Currency Board was withdrawn in November 1980 and the remainder of the notes were withdrawn on 31 March 1996, remaining exchangeable until one year afterward.
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Frequently asked questions
The currency of Bahrain is the Bahraini dinar.
The Bahraini dinar was introduced in 1965, replacing the Gulf rupee.
Since 2001, the Bahraini dinar has been tied to the US dollar with a fixed exchange rate of 1 dinar to 2.6596 US dollars.
The Bahraini dinar is accepted in Bahrain, where it is the official currency. It can also be used in some parts of Saudi Arabia, such as the cities of Khobar and Dammam, due to close economic ties.