A curious listing on Amazon.ae shows a seller offering a UAE 1 dirham coin for an eye-popping AED 149—149 times its face value. This has sparked intrigue among collectors and online shoppers alike, given the humble coin’s seemingly ordinary appearance.
But this isn’t just any coin. The dirham in question is a 1986 commemorative piece issued to celebrate Dubai’s hosting of the 27th Chess Olympiad, held between November 14 and December 2, 1986. The coin marks a historic moment in the UAE’s history, as it was the first time the Chess Olympiad—a prestigious global event—was held in the Arab world. This collectible’s significance lies in its rarity and its association with a milestone event, making it highly coveted by numismatists and chess enthusiasts.
The 27th Chess Olympiad itself was a grand occasion, drawing 108 teams from 107 countries, breaking records for participation. The Soviet Union, led by legendary players Garry Kasparov and Anatoly Karpov, dominated the tournament, winning the gold medal in the open event. The coin, which features the Olympiad’s official logo and inscriptions in both Arabic and English, serves as a tangible memento of this milestone.
While the coin holds historical and collectible value, its price tag of AED 149 on Amazon raises eyebrows. Collectors often value such coins based on their condition and demand, with estimates typically ranging from AED 55 to AED 73 in numismatic circles.
