5 Dirhams

The UAE 5 Dirhams polymer banknote issued in 2024 is part of the Central Bank of the UAE's ongoing conversion of its currency to polymer substrate, which began in 2021. The brown-colored note measures 144 x 66 mm and is dated 2024 (AH1445) in the Islamic calendar. The obverse features Ajman Fort, a historic coastal fortification showcasing the UAE's architectural heritage, while the reverse depicts Dhayah Fort located in Ras al-Khaimah, representing the northern emirates' historical significance.

The note bears the signature of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al-Nahyan. The banknote incorporates a simulated windowed security thread with demetalized 5 AED text and Arabic numerals. Unlike currency series worldwide that typically feature portraits of leaders, the UAE dirham banknotes instead celebrate national monuments, religious sites, traditional maritime culture, and the nation's fauna including falcons.

Ajman Fort, also known as Ajman Museum since its conversion in 1981, served as the residence of Ajman's rulers for centuries before being repurposed as a repository of the emirate's history. Dhayah Fort in Ras al-Khaimah is the only hill fort in the UAE, perched atop a rocky hill at the northern end of the Hajar Mountains, and is a symbol of the emirate's historical resistance. These two forts together represent the rich heritage of the smaller emirates in the UAE federation.