Abu Dhabi, Mar.7th, 2006 (WAM) -- The UAE Central Bank announced that it will be issuing with effect from next Saturday a commemorative gold and silver coins on the occasion of the first anniversary of H.H. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan as President of the UAE.

A bank statement said the face depicts the portrait of Sheikh Khalifa and the back features the Emirates Palace.

''The gold coin will have a diameter of 42.45 mm, weight 60gms while the silver one will be 50 mm in diameter and 59 gms in weight,''it said.

Three commemorative coins two gold and one silver will also be issued in memory of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, founder of the UAE and leader of its progress, according to the release.

The face depicts the portrait of the late Sheikh Zayed while Sheikh Khalifa's portrait appears on the back. The first 60gms and second 40gms commemorative gold coins will have a diameter of 42.45 mm and 40mm respectively.The third 50 mm diameter silver coin of Dh 100 denomination weighs 59 gms.

Those interested may purchase the commemoratives gold and silver coins from tellers at banks operating in the UAE. Each gold coin will be sold at the yellow metal price on the day of sale plus the additional costs estimated at Dh 60, while the silver coin will be sold at its face value plus the additional costs at Dh 20.