Abu Dhabi Lottery Ticket – March 1971

A highly unusual original ticket for the “Arabian Gulf Lottery”, subtitled as the “Abu Dhabi Lottery”, dated March 1971.

No formal written records appear to be available for the lottery, which may have been aborted or only short-lived. It is likely to have been superseded by the formation of the UAE in December 1971,  and the creation of more centralised regulatory bodies for related activities.

The front shows a serial number in English and Arabic, plus printed signatures in Arabic and English of unnamed officials from the Abu Dhabi Finance Department. A note states that the ticket is ‘Under Pendent from Finance Department’. In the centre is a palm tree motif, similar to the design used on Bahraini Dinar coins of the period. The Bahraini Dinar was the currency used in Abu Dhabi until the creation of the Dirham in May 1973. Other parts of the present-day UAE used the Qatari or Dubai Riyal at this time and pegged to the Gulf Rupee.

The reverse  of the ticket shows a list of monetary prizes in English and Arabic, all denominated in Bahraini Dinars. The ticket states a draw date of 12 March 1971.

It is printed on a watermarked security paper with two vertical perforated strips. This specific paper was manufactured in Scotland by a now defunct UK company, and was principally used for cheques and other security documents prior to the introduction of automatic cheque sorting.

In very good condition, with no writing, markings or tears. Professionally graded at 64 by Paper Money Guaranty (PMG), housed in a protective sleeve.

Documents from this period of the country’s history are scarce, particularly prior to the official formation of the UAE. Further details are available upon request.