United Arab Emirates. New Gold and Silver Proof Coins Celebrates Unique AI University

The Central Bank of the UAE issue gold and silver commemorative coins marking five years of the MBZUAI.

by Michael Alexander | Published on February 20, 2026

In 2020, the Mohamed Bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence - MBZUAI opened their doors and welcomed the first admission of students, the anniversary observed at the end of last year acknowledged MBZUAI’s achievements throughout the period from 2020 to 2025. Old and new came together in a unique collaboration when the newly formed Mohammed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), an AI-focused institution based in Abu Dhabi, created a fruitful and dynamic partnership in 2020 with the almost–century old Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel.

The collaboration began with a Memorandum of Understanding signed in September 2020 following the normalization of relations between the two nations, marking a major, first-of-its-kind partnership between UAE and Israeli academic institutions. Their common goal is to drive the broader utilisation of AI in health care biomedical research. The foundation of this partnership is the sharing of resources and knowledge to foster a greater culture of collaboration and boost AI innovation in the biomedical space. This is being done through joint training programs and research projects in both basic and translational research, as well as setting up exchange programs for staff and students. Now entering its sixth year, this alliance has undoubtedly benefited both institutions and can serve as a model for similar cross-border and cross-cultural cooperation in the future.

The gold and silver commemorative coins are authorised and released by the Central Bank of The United Arab Emirates.

50 Dirhams – Silver. The obverse of the silver coin depicts an image of the MBZUAI with the commemorative years 2020 - 2025 shown below. The background behind the University is complimented by an intricate geometric motif and is surrounded the text Mohamed Bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence in Arabic text along the upper rim above the primary design and in English text along the lower rim. Separating the text are small representations of the University’s logo. The reverse side of the coin features the numeral 50 and the word درهمٍ (dirhams) indicating the denomination. Above the design is the inscription Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates in Arabic and in English below along the lower rim.

*1000 Dirhams – Gold. The obverse side of the gold coin features an image of the distinct structure of the MBZUAI centred with the years 2020 - 2025 denoting the five-year anniversary. Just below the anniversary years is the phrase Power from Knowledge to Serve. Above the primary design along the upper rim is the text Mohamed Bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence in Arabic script and in English text along the lower rim. The reverse side bears the official crest of the United Arab Emirates centred. Above the crest along the upper rim is the text  Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates in Arabic and below the crest it is shown in English. *The gold coins do not stipulate the denomination of 1000 Dirhams and is medallic in design.

DenominationMetalWeightDiameterQualityMintage Limit
50 Dirhams.9999 Silver50 g.50 mm.Proof500
*1000 Dirhams.9999 Gold50 g.40 mm.Proof10

The total mintages of the commemorative coins have been delivered to MBZUAI and will not be available for sale at CBUAE or the University. It is expected some of the consignment will be used as presentation pieces and gifts. For additional information on other commemorative coins available from the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates - CBUAE, please visit their e-webshop.

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Author: Michael Alexander

Michael Alexander image Michael’s background in both numismatics and banknotes spans more than three decades and whose activities have varied from being a dedicated world coin collector to coin & medal design, marketing, theme concept and production. His additional interests include banknote research and in 1997, he founded the London Banknote and Monetary Research Centre to further these interests and activities. The company continues to offer monthly currency bulletins to both online and printed publications which includes information about the latest banknote news and releases from Central Banks and Monetary Authorities around the world. Michael has been a contributor to COIN NEWS magazine based in the UK since 1998 where many of his in-depth interviews, articles and bulletins have been published.

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