Saudi Arabia Coinage: 1935-1950
under King: Abdul Aziz bin Abdul Rahman bin Faisal Al-Saud
 
Currency: Riyal = 20 qirshes (piastres); Guinea = 40 Riyals
 
AH1354 (1936)
 

KM#16 ¼ Riyal. Year: AH1354 (1936). Weight: 2.89g [2.916g]. Metal: 0.917 Silver. Diameter: 19.50 mm. Edge: Reeded. Alignment: Medal. Mint: Birmingham, England.

Obverse: "ربع ريال عربي سعودي" (Quarter Riyal of Saudi Arabia) written above. "ضرب في مكة مكرمة" (Struck at Makkah Mukarramah) written within beaded circle with Date below it. Value "٤/١" (1/4) written at the bottom within design flanked by Date tree on both sides.

Reverse: "ملك المملكة العربية السعودية" (King of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) written at the top.

"عبد العزيز بن عبد الرحمن آل سعود" (Abdul Al-Aziz bin Abdul Rahman Al-Saud) written within beaded circle. Crossed swords at the bottom within design flanked by Date tree on both sides. Mintage: 100,000 (1936) and 800,000 (1937) + 1,500 Proofs. Minted Years: One year type. Ruler: Abdul Aziz bin Abdul Rahman bin Faisal Al-Saud.

KM#17 ½ Riyal. Year: AH1354 (1936). Weight: 5.80g [5.85g]. Metal: 0.917 Silver. Diameter: 24.50 mm. Edge: Reeded. Alignment: Medal. Mint: Birmingham, England.

Obverse: "نصف ريال عربي سعودي" (Half Riyal of Saudi Arabia) written above. "ضرب في مكة مكرمة" (Struck at Makkah Mukarramah) written within beaded circle with Date below it. Value "٢/١" (1/2) written at the bottom within design flanked by Date tree on both sides.

 

Reverse: "ملك المملكة العربية السعودية" (King of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) written at the top.

"عبد العزيز بن عبد الرحمن آل سعود" (Abdul Al-Aziz bin Abdul Rahman Al-Saud) written within beaded circle. Crossed swords at the bottom within design flanked by Date tree on both sides. Mintage: 950,000 + 1,500 Proofs (Produced during 1936-1937). Minted Years: One year type. Ruler: Abdul Aziz bin Abdul Rahman bin Faisal Al-Saud.

KM#18 Riyal. Year: AH1354 (1935). Weight: 11.56g [11.66g]. Metal: 0.917 Silver. Diameter: 30.00 mm. Edge: Reeded. Alignment: Medal. Mint: Birmingham, England / Bombay, India / Mexico.

Obverse: "ريال عربي سعودي واحد" (One Riyal of Saudi Arabia) written above. "ضرب في مكة مكرمة" (Struck at Makkah Mukarramah) written within beaded circle with Date below it. Value "١" (1) written at the bottom within design flanked by Date tree on both sides.

Reverse: "ملك المملكة العربية السعودية" (King of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) written at the top.

"عبد العزيز بن عبد الرحمن آل سعود" (Abdul Al-Aziz bin Abdul Rahman Al-Saud) written within beaded circle. Crossed swords at the bottom within design flanked by Date tree on both sides. Mintage: 60,000,000 + 20,000,000 Proofs (produced in Birmingham: 1936-1939, Bombay: 1940-1945 and Mexico 1947). Minted Years: AH1354, AH1367 and AH1370. Ruler: Abdul Aziz bin Abdul Rahman bin Faisal Al-Saud.

 
AH1356 (1937)
 

KM#19.1 ¼ Ghirsh (piastre). Year: AH1356 (1937). Weight: 4.17g. Metal: Copper-Nickel. Diameter: 20.00 mm. Edge: Plain. Alignment: Medal. Mint: Ralph Heaton & Sons, Birmingham.

Obverse: "ربع قرش" (Quarter Piastre) written at the top. Numeral "٤/١" (1/4) written in the center. Date at the bottom.

Reverse: "ملك المملكة العربية السعودية" (King of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) written at the top. "عبد العزيز آل سعود" (Abdul Al-Aziz Al-Saud) written at the bottom. Mintage: 1,000,000. Minted Years: One year type. Ruler: Abdul Aziz bin Abdul Rahman bin Faisal Al-Saud.

KM#20.1 ½ Ghirsh (piastre). Year: AH1356 (1937). Weight: 5.09g. Metal: Copper-Nickel. Diameter: 23.00 mm. Edge: Plain. Alignment: Medal. Mint: Ralph Heaton & Sons, Birmingham.

Obverse: "نصف قرش" (Half Piastre) written at the top. Numeral "٢/١" (1/2) written in the center. Date at the bottom.

Reverse: "ملك المملكة العربية السعودية" (King of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) written at the top. "عبد العزيز آل سعود" (Abdul Al-Aziz Al-Saud) written at the bottom. Mintage: 1,000,000. Minted Years: One year type. Ruler: Abdul Aziz bin Abdul Rahman bin Faisal Al-Saud.

KM#21.1 1 Ghirsh (piastre). Year: AH1356 (1937). Weight: 6.42g. Metal: Copper-Nickel. Diameter: 26.00 mm. Edge: Plain. Alignment: Medal. Mint: Ralph Heaton & Sons, Birmingham.

Obverse: "قرش واحد" (One Piastre) written at the top. Numeral "١" (1) written in the center. Date at the bottom.

Reverse: "ملك المملكة العربية السعودية" (King of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) written at the top. "عبد العزيز آل سعود" (Abdul Al-Aziz Al-Saud) written at the bottom. Mintage: 4,000,000. Minted Years: One year type. Ruler: Abdul Aziz bin Abdul Rahman bin Faisal Al-Saud.

 
AH1365 (1946) - Countermarked Coinage
 
70 = 65 Countermark: The following pieces are countermarked examples of earlier types bearing the Arabic numerals 65. They were countermarked in a move to break money changers' monopoly on small coins in AH1365 (1946). These countermarks vary in size and are found with the Arabic numbers raised in a circle. Incuse countermarks are considered a recent fabrication.
 

KM#22 ¼ Ghirsh (piastre). Year: AH(13)65 (1946). Weight: 4.09g. Metal: Copper-Nickel. Diameter: 20.00 mm. Edge: Plain. Alignment: Medal. Mintage: N/A. Minted Years: One year type. Ruler: Abdul Aziz bin Abdul Rahman bin Faisal Al-Saud.

Obverse: "٦٥" (65) countermark on KM#4. Doubtful.

KM#23 ¼ Ghirsh (piastre). Year: AH(13)65 (1946). Weight: 4.04g. Metal: Copper-Nickel. Diameter: 20.00 mm. Edge: Plain. Alignment: Medal. Mintage: N/A. Minted Years: One year type. Ruler: Abdul Aziz bin Abdul Rahman bin Faisal Al-Saud.

Obverse: "٦٥" (65) countermark on KM#7. Doubtful.

KM#24 ¼ Ghirsh (piastre). Year: AH(13)65 (1946). Weight: 4.06g. Metal: Copper-Nickel. Diameter: 20.00 mm. Edge: Plain. Alignment: Medal. Mintage: N/A. Minted Years: One year type. Ruler: Abdul Aziz bin Abdul Rahman bin Faisal Al-Saud.

Obverse: "٦٥" (65) countermark on KM#13. Doubtful.

KM#25 ¼ Ghirsh (piastre). Year: AH(13)65 (1946). Weight: 4.10g. Metal: Copper-Nickel. Diameter: 20.00 mm. Edge: Plain. Alignment: Medal. Mintage: N/A. Minted Years: One year type. Ruler: Abdul Aziz bin Abdul Rahman bin Faisal Al-Saud.

Obverse: "٦٥" (65) countermark on KM#19.1.

KM#26 ½ Ghirsh (piastre). Year: AH(13)65 (1946). Weight: 4.76g. Metal: Copper-Nickel. Diameter: 23.00 mm. Edge: Plain. Alignment: Medal. Mint: N/A. Mintage: N/A. Minted Years: One year type. Ruler: Abdul Aziz bin Abdul Rahman bin Faisal Al-Saud.

Obverse: "٦٥" (65) countermark on KM#5.

Same as above, an another sample. Weight: 5.06g.

KM#27 ½ Ghirsh (piastre). Year: AH(13)65 (1946). Weight: 5.11g. Metal: Copper-Nickel. Diameter: 23.00 mm. Edge: Plain. Alignment: Medal. Mint: N/A. Mintage: N/A. Minted Years: One year type. Ruler: Abdul Aziz bin Abdul Rahman bin Faisal Al-Saud.

Obverse: "٦٥" (65) countermark on KM#8. The reverse side is very dim that the scanner was unable to display the details.

KM#28 ½ Ghirsh (piastre). Year: AH(13)65 (1946). Weight: 4.94g. Metal: Copper-Nickel. Diameter: 23.00 mm. Edge: Plain. Alignment: Medal. Mint: N/A. Mintage: N/A. Minted Years: One year type. Ruler: Abdul Aziz bin Abdul Rahman bin Faisal Al-Saud.

Obverse: "٦٥" (65) countermark on KM#14.

KM#29 ½ Ghirsh (piastre). Year: AH(13)65 (1946). Weight: 5.10g. Metal: Copper-Nickel. Diameter: 23.00 mm. Edge: Plain. Alignment: Medal. Mint: N/A. Mintage: N/A. Minted Years: One year type. Ruler: Abdul Aziz bin Abdul Rahman bin Faisal Al-Saud.

Obverse: "٦٥" (65) countermark on KM#20.1.

Same as above, an another sample. Weight: 4.96g.

KM#30 1 Ghirsh (piastre). Year: AH(13)65 (1926). Weight: 6.19g. Metal: Copper-Nickel. Diameter: 26.00 mm. Edge: Plain. Alignment: Medal. Mint: N/A. Mintage: N/A. Minted Years: One year type. Ruler: Abdul Aziz bin Abdul Rahman bin Faisal Al-Saud.

Obverse: "٦٥" (65) countermark on KM#6.

KM#31 1 Ghirsh (piastre). Year: AH(13)65 (1926). Weight: 6.31g. Metal: Copper-Nickel. Diameter: 26.00 mm. Edge: Plain. Alignment: Medal. Mint: N/A. Mintage: N/A. Minted Years: One year type. Ruler: Abdul Aziz bin Abdul Rahman bin Faisal Al-Saud.

Obverse: "٦٥" (65) countermark on KM#9.

Same as above, an another sample. Weight: 6.21g.

KM#32 1 Ghirsh (piastre). Year: AH(13)65 (1926). Weight: 6.12g. Metal: Copper-Nickel. Diameter: 26.00 mm. Edge: Plain. Alignment: Medal. Mint: N/A. Mintage: N/A. Minted Years: One year type. Ruler: Abdul Aziz bin Abdul Rahman bin Faisal Al-Saud.

Obverse: "٦٥" (65) countermark on KM#15.

KM#32 1 Ghirsh (piastre). Year: AH(13)65 (1926). Weight: 6.27g. Metal: Copper-Nickel. Diameter: 26.00 mm. Edge: Plain. Alignment: Medal. Mint: N/A. Mintage: N/A. Minted Years: One year type. Ruler: Abdul Aziz bin Abdul Rahman bin Faisal Al-Saud.

Obverse: "٦٥" (65) countermark on KM#21.1.

 
Click on my another listing on fake 65 counter marked coins.
 
AH1356 [1937, but minted in 1947 (AH1366-1367) with Reeded edge]
 

KM#19.2 ¼ Ghirsh (piastre). Year: AH1356 (minted in 1947). Weight: 4.30g. Metal: Copper-Nickel. Diameter: 20.50 mm. Edge: Reeded. Alignment: Medal. Mint: Philadelphia, USA.

Obverse: "ربع قرش" (Quarter Piastre) written at the top. Numeral "٤/١" (1/4) written in the center. Date at the bottom.

Reverse: "ملك المملكة العربية السعودية" (King of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) written at the top. "عبد العزيز آل سعود" (Abdul Al-Aziz Al-Saud) written at the bottom. Mintage: 21,500,000. Minted Years: One year type. Ruler: Abdul Aziz bin Abdul Rahman bin Faisal Al-Saud.

KM#20.2 ½ Ghirsh (piastre). Year: AH1356 (minted in 1947). Weight: 5.62g. Metal: Copper-Nickel. Diameter: 23.50 mm. Edge: Reeded. Alignment: Medal. Mint: Philadelphia, USA.

Obverse: "نصف قرش" (Half Piastre) written at the top. Numeral "٢/١" (1/2) written in the center. Date at the bottom.

Reverse: "ملك المملكة العربية السعودية" (King of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) written at the top. "عبد العزيز آل سعود" (Abdul Al-Aziz Al-Saud) written at the bottom. Mintage: 10,850,000. Minted Years: One year type. Ruler: Abdul Aziz bin Abdul Rahman bin Faisal Al-Saud.

KM#21.2 1 Ghirsh (piastre). Year: AH1356 (minted in 1947). Weight: 6.54g. Metal: Copper-Nickel. Diameter: 26.25 mm. Edge: Reeded. Alignment: Medal. Mint: Philadelphia, USA.

Obverse: "قرش واحد" (One Piastre) written at the top. Numeral "١" (1) written in the center. Date at the bottom.

Reverse: "ملك المملكة العربية السعودية" (King of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) written at the top. "عبد العزيز آل سعود" (Abdul Al-Aziz Al-Saud) written at the bottom. Mintage: 7,150,000. Minted Years: One year type. Ruler: Abdul Aziz bin Abdul Rahman bin Faisal Al-Saud.

 
AH1367 (1948)
 

KM#18 Riyal. Year: AH1367 (1948). Weight: 11.60g [11.66g]. Metal: 0.917 Silver. Diameter: 30 mm. Edge: Reeded. Alignment: Medal. Mint: Birmingham, England / Mexico.

Obverse: "ريال عربي سعودي واحد" (One Riyal of Saudi Arabia) written above. "ضرب في مكة مكرمة" (Struck at Makkah Mukarramah) written within beaded circle with Date below it. Value "١" (1) written at the bottom within design flanked by Date tree on both sides.

Reverse: "ملك المملكة العربية السعودية" (King of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) written at the top.

"عبد العزيز بن عبد الرحمن آل سعود" (Abdul Al-Aziz bin Abdul Rahman Al-Saud) written within beaded circle. Crossed swords at the bottom within design flanked by Date tree on both sides. Mintage: N/A (included in AH1354 mintage; AH1367 issues were produced during in 1948-1949 by both Birmingham and Mexico simultaneously). Minted Years: AH1354, AH1367 and AH1370. Ruler: Abdul Aziz bin Abdul Rahman bin Faisal Al-Saud.

 
AH1370 (1950)
 

KM#18 Riyal. Year: AH1370 (1950). Weight: 11.65g [11.66g]. Metal: 0.917 Silver. Diameter: 30 mm. Edge: Reeded. Alignment: Medal. Mint: Mexico.

Obverse: "ريال عربي سعودي واحد" (One Riyal of Saudi Arabia) written above. "ضرب في مكة مكرمة" (Struck at Makkah Mukarramah) written within beaded circle with Date below it. Value "١" (1) written at the bottom within design flanked by Date tree on both sides.

Reverse: "ملك المملكة العربية السعودية" (King of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) written at the top.

"عبد العزيز بن عبد الرحمن آل سعود" (Abdul Al-Aziz bin Abdul Rahman Al-Saud) written within beaded circle. Crossed swords at the bottom within design flanked by Date tree on both sides. Mintage: N/A (produced by Mexico during 1950-1952). Minted Years: AH1354, AH1367 and AH1370. Ruler: Abdul Aziz bin Abdul Rahman bin Faisal Al-Saud.

KM#36 Guinea (40 Riyals). Year: AH1370 (1950). Weight: 7.98g [7.9881g]. Metal: 0.917 Gold. Diameter: 22.00 mm. Edge: Reeded. Alignment: Medal. Mint: Monnaie de Paris, Pessac.

Obverse: "جنيه عربي سعودي واحد" (One Guinea of Saudi Arabia) written above. "ضرب في مكة مكرمة" (Struck at Makkah Mukarramah) written within beaded circle with Date below it. Value "١" (1) with mintmarks on both sides of it written at the bottom within design flanked by Date tree on both sides.

Reverse: "ملك المملكة العربية السعودية" (King of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) written at the top.

"عبد العزيز بن عبد الرحمن آل سعود" (Abdul Al-Aziz bin Abdul Rahman Al-Saud) written within beaded circle. Crossed swords at the bottom within design flanked by Date tree on both sides. Mintage: 2,000,000. Minted Years: One year type. Ruler: Abdul Aziz bin Abdul Rahman bin Faisal Al-Saud.

Note: This first Saudi gold coin with the name of King Abdul Aziz was issued actually on 03/02/1372H (22/10/1952). Patterns are also produced for the coin as mentioned below:

  • Pn5 AH1370 — Guinea. Bronze. KM#36, reeded edge, with Paris privy marks.
  • Pn6 AH1370 — Guinea. Gold. KM#36, reeded edge, with Paris privy marks, Rare.
 
AH1373 (1953) - Fake issue
 

FAKE coin of KM#18 Riyal.

Year: AH1373 (1953). Weight: 11.81g [11.66g]. Metal: Stainless Steel Silver plated. Diameter: 29.50 mm. Edge: Reeded. Alignment: Medal; slightly rotated. Mint: probably China.

Note: This coin was first seen on internet in Aug 2016 and sometime auctioned for more than $150.

 

 
 
View coins issued during the rule of other rulers of Saudi Arabia:
 
 
Countries / Territories
 
Chiefa Coins