Kabir – Yemeni Zaidi State

In 1851, the currency situation within the Zaidi Imamate of Yemen was characterized by fragmentation and instability, reflecting the broader political and economic disunity of the region. The authority of the Imam in San'a was contested by rival dynasties, local tribes, and the expanding influence of the Ottoman Empire along the coast. Consequently, no single, standardized monetary system existed. Circulation was a chaotic mix of older, worn Yemeni imadi riyals, various foreign silver coins (especially Austrian Maria Theresa thalers and Spanish dollars), and Ottoman coins, all valued by weight and silver content rather than a fixed face value.

This monetary heterogeneity severely hampered trade and state revenue. The fluctuating values and widespread clipping of coins created uncertainty in markets, while the Imam's limited minting capacity restricted his ability to project economic sovereignty or collect taxes efficiently. Furthermore, the lucrative coffee trade, a traditional source of wealth, was in decline, reducing the inflow of foreign silver and exacerbating liquidity problems. The state's financial weakness directly undermined its military and administrative power.

Ultimately, the currency chaos of 1851 was a symptom of the Imamate's erosion. The inability to control a unified monetary system highlighted its fragmented authority in the highlands, while the prevalence of European and Ottoman coins pointed to the growing dominance of external economic forces. This precarious financial environment would persist until the Ottoman military reoccupation of much of Yemen in 1872, which imposed a more centralized, though not unchallenged, monetary order.