Rare ! Sharjah pre union 1964, President J.F.Kennedy

Description

House of Emirates® inLondon is so proud to offer you this incredible and rare piece of UAE history.

A silver commemorative coin from the Emirate of Sharjah, issued in 1964 in honor of U.S. President John F. Kennedy. Here are its key features:

Obverse (Front Side):

Features a detailed right-facing portrait of John F. Kennedy.
Inscribed with “MEMORIAL OF JOHN F. KENNEDY 1964” in both English and Arabic.

Reverse (Back Side):

Displays two crossed flags, which are symbolic of the Sharjah government.
Arabic inscription at the top reads “حكومة الشارقة” (Government of Sharjah).
Denomination stated as “5 RUPEES OF SHARJAH” in both English and Arabic.

Year: 1964
Composition: Silver (.720)
Weight: 25 g
Diameter: 36 mm
Thickness: 2.6 mm

It will make a great gift for someone special.

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Before the formation of the United Arab Emirates in 1971, Sharjah was a pivotal maritime and cultural hub of the Trucial States. Under the leadership of the Al Qasimi dynasty, it established itself as a dominant seafaring power with a sophisticated economy built on pearl diving, fishing, and regional trade.

While many associate the region’s modernization with the oil boom, Sharjah’s “Golden Age” of infrastructure actually began much earlier. In 1932, it became home to the first airport in the Gulf, Al Mahatta. This served as a vital stopover for Imperial Airways flights traveling between Britain and India, effectively making Sharjah the gateway between the East and West long before the union.

Educationally, the emirate was a pioneer. In 1953, Sharjah opened Al Qasimiya, the first formal school in the Trucial States, cementing its reputation as the “Cultural Capital.” Life was communal and deeply rooted in Bedouin and maritime traditions, centered around the “souqs” and the natural creek. While the economy faced a sharp decline following the collapse of the natural pearl market, Sharjah maintained its resilience through strategic diplomacy and its role as a British administrative center, laying the groundwork for its future as a center of arts and education.