The Oman rial is an official currency of Oman with currency code OMR and symbol ر.ع.; R.O. it is subdivided into 1000 baisa. The Omani rial is 3rd top valued currency by worth after Kuwaiti dinar and Bahrain dinar.
Until 1940, the Maria Theresa thaler and Indian rupee were major currencies circulating in Oman and Muscat. In 1959, Oman and several other states adopted the Gulf rupee along with Indian rupee. Until 1970 Oman sustained to use Gulf rupee. In 1970, the Gulf rupee was replaced with rial Saidi, a new currency of Oman. In 1973, the Oman rial replaced the rial Saidi.
The first series of coins was introduced in 1970 in denominations of 2, 5, 10, 25, 50 and 100 baisas. A new series was introduced in 1975 and again in 1980. The coin of 100 values ceased on 20th May 2020. The first series of Oman rial banknotes were introduced in 1972 in denominations of 100 baisas and 1⁄4, 1⁄2, 1, 5 and 10 Omani rials by Oman Currency Board.
The banknotes of 20 and 50 rials were added in 1977 and 200 baisa in 1985. The 1 rial red banknote was issued in 2010 on 35th National Day of Oman. In 2015, 1 rial purple banknote was published on 45th National Day of Oman.
The current series of Omani rial banknotes and coins generally in circulation include:
Banknotes
Frequently used 100 baisa, 1⁄2, 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 rials
Rarely used 200 baisas.
Coins
Frequently used 5, 10, 25, 50 baisa.
Rarely used 100 baisas, 1⁄4, 1⁄2 rials