Theryal (Arabic:ريال) was the currency ofZanzibar between 1882 and 1908. It was subdivided into 136pysa and circulated alongside theIndian rupee andMaria Theresa thaler. The ryal was replaced by theZanzibari rupee at2+1⁄8 rupees = 1 ryal.
In 1882 (A.H. 1299), coins were introduced in denominations of 1 pysa,1⁄4,1⁄2, 1,2+1⁄2 and 5 ryals. The pysa was struck in copper, with the1⁄4,1⁄2 and 1 ryal in silver and the2+1⁄2 and 5 ryals struck in gold. Further 1 pysa coins were struck in 1887 (A.H. 1304) but no more silver or gold pieces were ever struck.
The silver and gold ryals all look similar with the exception of the denomination and were struck at the Royal Belgian Mint, Brussels, Belgium. Only the 1 and 5 ryal were put in circulation; for the1⁄4,1⁄2, and2+1⁄2 ryal only patterns were struck. The 1 ryal coin of 38 mm in diameter shows the following text.Obverse: line 1 and 5: الله حفظه (Allah guards);line 2 tot 4: سلطان سعيد بن برغش بن سلطان (sultan Sa’id bin Barghash bin Sultan).Reverse: ١ ريال سكة سعيدية ١٢٩٩عام (ryal 1, coin of Sa’idiat, year 1299).Zanzibar has been called theIsle of Cloves and the clove sprigs can be seen at different positions on the obverse and reverse.
| Preceded by: No modern predecessor | Currency ofZanzibar 1882 – 1908 Concurrent with:Indian rupee andMaria Theresa thaler | Succeeded by: Zanzibari rupee Ratio:2+1⁄8 rupees = 1 riyal |
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