Yemen P-37 B131 100 Rials 2018 UNC—Socotra—Dragon Blood Tree

Yemen P-37 100 Rials 2018, Uncirculated.

• Variety: P-37a — Mohamed Awad Bin Humam (MABH), Governor; or P-37b Mohamed Mansour Zemam (MMZ), Governor, both 2018
• Color: Dark brown and maroon on light tan and orange underprint
• Front:
  • Socotra dragon blood trees (Dracaena cinnabari) at bottom-centre
  • Qamariya stained glass window art to the right of the Arabic serial number
  • Outline of a mosque as a latent image
  • Serial number red in Western numerals, black in Eastern Arabic numerals
• Back:
  • Terraced agricultural farming fields at centre
  • Queen Arwa Mosque Mihrab decorated niche at right
• Watermark: Coat of Arms and electrotype Arabic denomination
• Signatures: Mohamed Awad Bin Humam (MABH), Governor (P-37a) OR Mohamed Mansour Zemam (MMZ), Governor (P-37b)
• Issuing Bank: Central Bank of Yemen (البنك المركزي اليمني)
• Currency: Rial (YER, 1990–date)
• Denomination: 100 Rials
• Composition: Paper
• Size: 150 × 70 mm
• Shape: Rectangular
• Printer: Goznak (Гознак), Russian Federation (1818–date)
• Country: Yemen — Mutawakkilite Kingdom (1918–1962) → Yemen Arab Republic (1962–1990) → Republic of Yemen (1990–date)

The Socotra Dragon Blood Tree

The Dracaena cinnabari, or Socotra dragon blood tree, is one of the most iconic and otherworldly trees on Earth. Native to the Socotra Archipelago — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — these umbrella-shaped trees produce a vivid crimson resin historically prized as a dye, medicine, and varnish. Their appearance on Yemen's 100 Rials note celebrates the extraordinary biodiversity of Socotra, often called the "Galápagos of the Indian Ocean."

Qamariya: The Art of Light

The Qamariya is a traditional Yemeni stained glass window art form, typically set above doorways in old Sana'a architecture. These semicircular windows filter sunlight into kaleidoscopic patterns, blending Islamic geometric design with vibrant color. Their inclusion on this note honors Yemen's rich architectural and artistic heritage, recognized by UNESCO in the historic city of Sana'a.

Agricultural Terraces of Yemen

The terraced farming fields depicted on the reverse represent millennia of Yemeni ingenuity — ancient stone terraces carved into steep mountain slopes to capture rainwater and cultivate crops in an arid landscape. These terraces, found throughout the Haraz Mountains and other highland regions, are a testament to Yemen's deep agricultural traditions.

Queen Arwa Mosque Mihrab

The mihrab (prayer niche) of the Queen Arwa Mosque in Jibla is one of Yemen's most celebrated examples of Islamic decorative art. Queen Arwa al-Sulayhi, who ruled Yemen in the 11th–12th centuries, is one of the few women in Islamic history to have her name mentioned in the Friday prayer. The mosque she built remains a pilgrimage site and a symbol of Yemeni cultural pride.

A Final Reflection: An Island Apart, A Nation Enduring

This 100 Rials note, issued in 2018 by the Central Bank of Yemen in Aden, captures the soul of a nation through its natural wonders and cultural landmarks. From the alien beauty of Socotra's dragon blood trees to the geometric poetry of Qamariya windows and the enduring terraces of highland farmers, this note is a collector's window into Yemen's extraordinary heritage — preserved in paper at a pivotal moment in history.

A meaningful addition to any world banknote collection, this Uncirculated example represents both the artistry of Goznak's printing and the resilience of Yemeni identity.