40 Para - Husayn

The Hashemite revolt against Ottoman rule, launched in June 1916, created an immediate need for a distinct Hejazi coinage — politically necessary as much as practically. These nickel pieces were struck at the Mecca mint, one of the few occasions in modern numismatic history that the holy city served as an active production facility. Husayn bin Ali had declared himself King of the Hejaz only months before this issue appeared.

The nickel composition was dictated by available wartime materials rather than tradition. Arabian coinage of the preceding centuries had run overwhelmingly to silver and copper.