1 Baiza - Abdullah II (date at bottom) 1304 (1886) front 1 Baiza - Abdullah II (date at bottom) 1304 (1886) back
1 Baiza - Abdullah II (date at bottom) 1304 (1886) photo
© Stephen Album Rare Coins

1 Baiza - Abdullah II date at bottom

1304 (1886) year
Copper 5.13 g -
Description
Issuer
Kuwait
Emir
Abdullah II Al-Sabah (1866-1892)
Type
Standard circulation coin
Year
1304 (1886)
Calendar
Islamic (Hijri)
Value
1 Baiza (1⁄64)
Currency
Baiza (1886-1887)
Composition
Copper
Weight
5.13 g
Shape
Round (irregular)
Technique
Hammered
Demonetized
Yes
Updated
2024-10-06
References
Numista
N#95989
Rarity index
94%

Reverse

Mint and date, possibly reads "Struck in Kuwait 1304" in Arabic.
Note: date at the bottom of the coin, unlike KM#1

Lettering:
ضرب
في
الكويت
١٣٠٤

Translation:
Struck in Kuwait
1304

Comment

In 1886–1887, under Sheikh Abdullah II, Kuwait began minting coins in copper due to the lack of Indian rupees circulating in the local economy.

The primitive, crude, hammered coins were locally produced. According to Kuwaiti Islamic coin specialist M. Al-Hoseini, the person overseeing the minting operation was a senior member of the prominent Bodi tribe. Very few coins were produced, with up to 4 possible types with notable distinctions in the text, design, and even planchet thickness. The coins circulated for several weeks but were short lived.
Source: https://arabiancoins.wordpress.com/tag/kuwait/

Sheikh Abdullah II Sabah II Al-Jabir I Al-Sabah (1814–1892) was a lead cavalry commander in the Military of Kuwait, the fifth ruler of Kuwait and oldest son of the fourth ruler of Kuwait. He spent much of his rule dealing with natural disasters, maintaining stability as well as building stronger ties with the Ottoman Empire which supplied the most vital resource in Kuwait, drinking water. Furthermore, the first coins minted by Kuwait began during his reign.

Interesting fact

The 1 Baiza coin from Kuwait, featuring Abdullah II and dated 1304 (1886), was made of copper and weighed 5.13 grams. That's relatively lightweight compared to some other coins, especially considering it was used as a standard circulation coin.