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‫‪Saudi Currency‬‬ ‫العُ ْملَة السعُو ِدية‬

 KWL (brainstorming) ‫العملة السعودية‬
1-
What I know

What I want 1-
to know

What I
learned
 01
History of
Saudi Money
The first money tied to the House of Saud was distributed in
1924AD. This money was different to the present day currency.

ْ ‫ْال ِق ْر‬
It was called the «qirsh». ‫ش‬
The qirsh was a series of coins, which were made of copper and
were available in the denominations of half-qirsh and a quarter-
girsh. The coins were also inscribed with the world «minted in the
Mother of Villages» - Makkah, and included a monogram of King
Abdul Al-Aziz.
‫‪1924 AD‬‬
‫قرش واحد‬
‫نصف قرش‬
‫ربع قرش‬
A year later, the coins were re-issued with denominations of % and % qirsh
proclaiming Abdul Al-Aziz as the King of Hijaz and the Sultan of Najd. Then, in
1928AD, a silver coin was put for circulation.
This was the Saudi Riyal and was available in the denomination of one. This coin
was then added in 1936AD, when the % and V4 riyal coins were minted.
However, there was still no paper currency available. All transactions were done in
coins and this was adequate until oil discoveries in the 1930'sAD brought about a
change in ideas.
 02

Saudi Central
Bank
The Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency was established
during the reign of King Abdulaziz in 1952. Jeddah

The main office of the institution has moved from

Jeddah to Riyadh in 1974
Dr. Ahmed bin Abdul Karim Al-Khulaifi is governor at
the Saudi Royal Court with the rank of minister

A royal order was issued on (2021 AD) appointing His

Excellency Dr. Fahd bin Abdullah Al-Mubarak as
Governor of the Central Bank of Saudi Arabia.
Mohammed Abdullah Al-Jadaan,
Saudi Minister of Finance

‫وزير المالية‬
Then, in 1952AD, SAMA is the Central Bank of Saudi
Arabia, the functions of the SAMA include issuing the
national currency, the Saudi Riyal, supervising commercial
banks, managing foreign exchange reserves, promoting price
and exchange rate stability, and ensuring the growth and
soundness of the financial system, operating a number of
cross-bank electronic financial systems such as MADA,
SARIE, and SADAD
the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency ( SAMA) was formed, to
provide central control of finances and to stabilize the economy.
Within one year, in 1953AD, a gold sovereign was minted which
equated to 40 riyals. This meant that coin exchange involved less
actual coins. Then in 1954AD this sovereign was re-issued.
Pilgrims that were visiting the Holy cities of Makkah and Madinah
had to carry heavy loads of coins on their travels. The answer to
this came in the shape of the pilgrim receipt.
The first paper currency that was used in the Kingdom was 10
Saudi Riyals. It was a huge success.
The monetary value was printed in several different languages on
the receipt, to make it simpler for the many nationalities that were
performing their pilgrimage.
 1954AD
the pilgrim receipt
 The First Paper Money
By the end of 1960AD, the riyal had become a stable currency.
In June 1961AD, the first official paper currency was
introduced. This consisted of 1,5,10, and 50 riyal notes.
Paper currency did not immediately replace the Pilgrim Receipt.
This stayed in circulation until it was phased out in 1963AD.
These new riyal notes were also accompanied by a coinage. This
coinage was the halalah. The halalah coin was a denomination
of the riyal-100 halalahs was equal to one riyal.
 The Stability of the Riyal

The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) also
recognized the stability of the Riyal currency and, in 1978AD, Saudi Arabia
appointed its first director to their Executive Board.
The World Bank is an international organization that provides loans to
countries for development projects. Its official name is the International Bank
for Reconstruction and Development.
The 20 riyal and the 200-riyal notes were introduced in 1999AD to
commemorate the 100-year anniversary of the formation of the kingdom of
Saudi Arabia.
1999AD
 03
Security Features
were placed to make it difficult to
counterfeit the currency
On (26/12/2016), the following banknote denominations were issued: 500
riyal, 100 riyal, 50 riyal, 10 riyal and 5 riyal. As for coins, the following
denominations were minted: 2 riyal, 1 riyal, 50 halalas, 25 halalas, 10

halalas, 5 halalas and 1 halala. On Monday, (28/9/2020), the 5 riyal

polymer banknote was issued with a design and colors similar to the
circulating cotton-based banknotes, taking into account the different
manufacturing techniques and technical specifications and the security
features for this banknote.
2020 AD
POLYMER
It is a substance
made up of many
synthetic organic
materials used as
plastics and
resins.
 SR 5 polymer
On the front of the note
appears a portrait of the King
Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al
Saud and a view of Shaybah
Oil Field in the Empty
Quarter. In addition to the
transparent window
containing motifs inspired by
the logo of Saudi Vision
2030.
The back of the note shows a
view of wildflowers from
Saudi Arabia.
 04

The sixth issue of

the Saudi currency
 The Sixth Issue
The sixth issue of the Saudi currency, including new different coin and
banknote denominations, has been introduced during the reign of the
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud,
under the slogan 'Confidence and Security.' The newly introduced
redesigned currency accorded with the international most advanced
technologies and standards, and best technical and security specifications that
accommodate the standing of the Saudi currency and the leading position of
SAMA to boost confidence in the robustness and soundness of the Saudi
riyal.
On the front of the
note appears a
portrait of late
King Abdulaziz
Bin Abdulrahman
Al Saud and a
picture of the Holy
Ka`aba. The back
of the note shows
a view of the Holy
Mosque in
Makkah Al
Mukarramah.
Color: Blue / Size:
166 x 74 mm
On the front of the note
appears a portrait of
late King Abdulaziz
Bin Abdulrahman Al
Saud and the logo of
the Kingdom's Vision
2030 in a three-
dimensional form, and
the back of the note
shows of the image of
'Qasr Al-hukum' in
Riyadh.
Color: gray / Size: 163
× 73 mm
On the front of the note
appears a portrait of the
Custodian of the Two
Holy Mosques, King
Salman Bin Abdulaziz
Al Saud and a picture
of the Green Dome of
the Prophet`s Mosque.
The back of the note
shows a view of The
Prophet`s Mosque in
Al-Madinah Al-
Monawarah.
Color: Red / Size: 160
x 72 mm
On the front of the note
appears a portrait of the
Custodian of the Two
Holy Mosques, King
Salman Bin Abdulaziz
Al Saud and a picture
of the Al-Sakhra Dome
Mosque.
The back of the note
shows a view of
Al-Aqsa Mosque in Al-
Quds Al-Shareef.
Color: Green /Size: 155
x 70 mm
On the front of the note
appears a portrait of the
Custodian of the Two
Holy Mosques, King
Salman Bin Abdulaziz
Al Saud and a picture
of the Palace of late
King Abdulaziz in
Almoraba Area.
The back of the
note shows a view of
King Abdullah Bin
Abdulaziz Financial
Center in Riyadh.
Color: Brown/Size: 150
x 68 mm
On the front of the note
appears a portrait of the
Custodian of the Two
Holy Mosques, King
Salman Bin Abdulaziz
Al Saud and a view of
Shaybah Oil Field in
the Empty Quarter.
The back of the note
shows a view of
flowers from the
Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia.
Color: Purple/Size: 145
x 66 mm
Obverse: A portrait of King
Abdulaziz Al Saud is
engraved in gold in the
center. On the right side of
the portrait, the King's name
(King Abdulaziz bin Abdul-
Rahman Al Saud) is
engraved in a silver frame,
and on the left there is a Reverse: The number of the
motif containing plant coin denomination (SAR 2)
patterns and the Kingdom's is written in gold in the
national emblem center with the denomination
in Arabic letters ( )‫رياالن‬
placed above, while the
denomination in English
(TWO RIYALS) placed at
the bottom.
Obverse: In the center, there
is a portrait of King Salman
Al Saud in silver. On the
right side, the name and title
of the King (Custodian of the
Two Holy Mosques King
Salman bin Abdulaziz Al
Saud) are engraved in a
golden frame, and on the left Reverse: The number of the
there is a plant motif coin denomination (SAR 2)
encompassing the Kingdom's is written in gold in the
national emblem. center with the denomination
in Arabic letters ( )‫رياالن‬
placed above, while the
denomination in English
(TWO RIYALS) placed at
the bottom.
 Obverse: The Kingdom's
national emblem is engraved
in the center with the King's
title (the Custodian of the
Two Holy Mosques) and a
recurrent plant motif atop.
The King's name (Salman bin
Abdulaziz Al Saud) is
engraved at the bottom of the
emblem with the Hijri year
(1438) on the right side and
the Gregorian year (2016) on
the left. The top and bottom
of the obverse side are
engraved with plant motifs.
Reverse: The number (50) is
engraved in the center with
the denomination in Arabic
words ( )‫خمسون هللة‬is placed
above and the denomination
in English (FIFTY
HALALAS) at the bottom.
In addition, the top and the
bottom areas of the reverse
side are engraved with
recurrent plant patterns.
 Obverse: The Kingdom's
national emblem is engraved
in the center with the King's
title (the Custodian of the
Two Holy Mosques) and a
recurrent plant motif atop.
The King's name (Salman bin
Abdulaziz Al Saud) is
engraved at the bottom of the
emblem with the Hijri year
(1438) on the right side and
the Gregorian year (2016) on
the left. The top and bottom
areas of the obverse side are
engraved with plant motifs.
Reverse: The number (10) is
engraved in the center with
the denomination in Arabic
words ( )‫عشر هلالت‬placed
atop and the denomination in
English (TEN HALALAS) at
the bottom. In addition, the
top and the bottom areas of
the reverse side are engraved
with recurrent plant patterns.
 Obverse: The Kingdom's
national emblem is engraved
in the center with the King's
title (the Custodian of the
Two Holy Mosques) and a
recurrent plant motif atop.
The King's name (Salman bin
Abdulaziz Al Saud) is Reverse: The number (5) is
engraved at the bottom of the engraved in the center with
emblem with the Hijri year the denomination in Arabic
(1438) on the right side and words ( )‫خمس هلالت‬placed
the Gregorian year (2016) on atop and the denomination in
the left. The top and bottom English (FIVE HALALAS)
areas of the obverse side are at the bottom. In addition, the
engraved with plant motifs. top and the bottom areas of
the reverse side are engraved
with recurrent plant patterns..
 Obverse: The Kingdom's
national emblem is engraved
in the center with the King's
title (the Custodian of the
Two Holy Mosques) and a
recurrent plant motif atop.
The King's name (Salman bin
Abdulaziz Al Saud) is
engraved at the bottom of the
emblem with the Hijri year
(1438) on the right side and
the Gregorian year (2016) on
the left. The top and bottom
areas of the obverse side are
engraved with plant motifs..
Reverse: The number (1) is
engraved in the center with
the denomination in Arabic
words ( )‫هللة واحدة‬placed atop
and the denomination in
English (ONE HALALA) at
the bottom. In addition, the
top and bottom areas of the
reverse side are engraved
with recurrent plant patterns.
 KWL (brainstorming) ‫العملة السعودية‬
1-
What I know

What I want 1-
to know

What I
learned
 ‫الكلمة‬ ‫معناها‬
‫‪coin‬‬ ‫عملة معدنية‬
‫‪banknote‬‬ ‫عملة ورقية‬
‫‪half‬‬ ‫نُص ‪ /‬نصف‬
‫‪quarter‬‬ ‫ربع‬
‫‪silver‬‬ ‫فضة‬
‫‪SAMA‬‬ ‫مؤسسة النقد العربي السعودي‬
‫‪IMF‬‬ ‫صندوق النقد الدولي‬