- Saudi riyal
Infobox Currency
currency_name_in_local = ريال سعودي ar icon
image_1 = Saudi Riyal 5th Domination.jpg
image_title_1 = The fifth series of the Saudi Arabian riyal
iso_code = SAR
using_countries =Saudi Arabia
inflation_rate = 1.9%
inflation_source_date = " [https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2092.html The World Factbook] ", 2006 est.
pegged_with = U.S. dollar = 3.75 riyals
subunit_ratio_1 = 1/100
subunit_name_1 = halala
symbol = ر.س (Arabic), SR (Latin)
used_coins = 5, 10, 25, 50 and 100 halala
used_banknotes = 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, and 500 riyal
issuing_authority_title = Monetary authority
issuing_authority =Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency
issuing_authority_website = www.sama-ksa.orgThe riyal (Arabic: ريال,
ISO 4217 code: "SAR") is the currency ofSaudi Arabia . It is abbreviated as ر.س or SR. It is subdivided into 100 "halala" (Arabic: هللة).History
The riyal has been the currency of Saudi Arabia since the country came in to being and was the currency of
Hejaz before Saudi Arabia was created. TheHejaz riyal was based on (though not equivalent to) the Ottoman 20 kuruş coin and was consequently divided into 20 "ghirsh". However, although the Hejaz riyal was the same weight as the Ottoman 20 kuruş, it was minted in .917fineness , compared to .830 fineness for the Ottoman coin. Thus, because the first Saudi riyal had the same specifications as the Hejaz riyal and circulated alongside Ottoman coins, it came to be worth 22 Ottoman kuruş and was consequently subdivided into 22 ghirsh when coins denominated in ghirsh were issued from 1925. This remained the system of currency even though the riyal was subsequently debased to a coin equivalent in silver content to theIndian rupee in 1935.Note that the Latin alphabet spelling "ghirsh" rather than "qirsh" reflects the pronunciation in Saudi Arabia, whilst in the Arabic script the spelling was the same as used elsewhere, قرش.
In 1960, the system was changed to 20 ghirsh = 1 riyal and this was followed in 1963 by the introduction of the "halala", worth one hundredth of a riyal. Some Saudi coins still bear denominations in ghirsh but this denomination is no longer commonly used.
Coins
In 1925, transitional, copper coins for ¼ and ½ ghirsh were minted in
Mecca by `Abd al-`Azīz Āl Sa`ūd. These were followed, in 1926, by ¼, ½ and 1 ghirsh pieces minted in cupro-nickel, carrying the title "King of Hejaz and Sultan of Nejd".In 1927, the royal title was changed to "King of Hejaz and Nejd and Dependencies" and coins were issued in denominations of ¼, ½ and 1 ghirsh in cupro-nickel and ¼, ½ and 1 riyal in silver.
In 1935, the first coins were issued in the name of Saudi Arabia. These were silver ¼, ½ and 1 riyal coins which were nearly 50% lighter than the previous issue. Cupro-nickel ¼, ½ and 1 ghirsh were also issued from 1937. In 1946 (AH 1365), many of the cupro-nickel coins were countermarked with the Arabic numerals 65 (٦٥) in what Krause and Mishler describe as "a move to break money changers' monopoly on small coins". Cupro-nickel 2 and 4 ghirsh were introduced in 1957.
In 1963, the halala was introduced and bronze 1 halala coins were issued. This was the only year these coins were struck. Cupro-nickel 5, 10, 25 and 50 halala followed in 1972. These coins are also inscribed with their denomination in ghirsh or riyal (1, 2 ghirsh, ¼, ½ riyal). In 1976, cupro-nickel 1 riyal coins were introduced, which are also inscribed with the denomination 100 halala. Bimetallic 1 riyal coins were issued in 1999.
In 2007 (AH 1428), a 50 halala coin was introduced, [http://worldcoinnews.blogspot.com/2007/10/saudi-arabia-50-halala-ah14282007-king.html] bearing the name of King Abdullah.
Banknotes
In 1953, the
Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency (SAMA) began issuingHaj Pilgrim Receipts for 10 riyals [http://aes.iupui.edu/rwise/banknotes/saudi_arabia/SaudiArabiaP1-10Riyals-(1953)-donatedcz_f.jpg] , with 1 and 5 riyals following in 1954 and 1956, respectively. These resembled banknotes and were initially intended for use by pilgrims who exchanged foreign currency for them. However, they became widely accepted in Saudi Arabia and largely replaced silver riyal coins in major financial transactions. Consequently, the Monetary Agency began issuing regular banknotes for 1, 5, 10, 50 and 100 riyal in 1961, with the Pilgrim Receipts being demonetized in 1964.500 Riyal notes were introduced in 1983. 20 and 200 riyal banknotes were issued in 2000 to commemorate the centenary of the founding of what became the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
SAMA has announced that a new series of banknotes bearing the face of King Abdullah will be issued starting in April, 2007.
A popular trick amongst Saudi school children is to place a rolled 20 riyal note over a 200 riyal note. The two notes bear portraits that are identical, with the exception of the angle of the head. An amusing question is asked, e.g. "Will Hussein ever be rich?". By inserting a pencil into the rolled 20 riyal note and moving it back and forth, a simple animation effect is created and the king appears to shake his head.
Fifth issue
On
May 20 ,2007 , "the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency, pursuant to article (4) of the Saudi Currency Law, issued under the Royal Decree No. (6) and dated 1/7/1379H." announced the fifth domination of the Saudi Riyal that featuresKing Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz 's picture on all notes except the 500 riyal, which features the lateKing Abdulaziz Al Saud . The 100 and 50 riyal notes were released on May 21, 2007. The 10 and 5 riyal notes followed on June 2007, then the 500 riyal followed on September 2007, and finally the 1 riyal note completed the series on December 2007. It is expected by the SAMA that the fourth (current) series will take approximately two years to phase out, although a complete removal of the current series require more than two years since the fourth series has been in circulation for well over 20 years. The fourth series which feature lateKing Fahad 's picture will remain legal tender under the Saudi Arabian monetary law. The new series will have the latest and most advanced security system to prevent from counterfeiting and other similar activities.Fixed exchange rate
In June 1986, the riyal was officially pegged to the IMF's
Special Drawing Rights (SDRs). In practice, it is fixed at 1 U.S. dollar = 3.75 riyals, which translates to approximately 1 riyal = 0.266667 dollar. [ [http://www.sama-ksa.org/en/news/2004-10/3.pdf Saudi Arabia’s Exchange Rate Arrangement] ] [ [http://www.sama-ksa.org/en/news/undated/special_feature.htm In this special feature Central Banking presents a survey of the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency] ] This rate was made official onJanuary 1 ,2003 .The riyal briefly rose to a 20-year high after the
Federal Reserve cutinterest rate s onSeptember 18 ,2007 and theSaudi Arabian Monetary Agency chose not to follow suit, partially due to concerns about the inflationary effects low interest rates and a lower value for the riyal. [ [http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aV7efXoLELDo Bloomberg.com: Worldwide ] ] [ [http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601083&sid=aeRcoZIP5s0g Bloomberg.com: Currencies ] ] The riyal returned to its peg against the U.S. dollar in early December of2007 . [http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601083&sid=akIPULeiXTCc Bloomberg.com: Currencies ] ] [ [http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601083&sid=aGrjqrSXfVf0 Bloomberg.com: Currencies ] ]Exchange Rate|SAR|CNY
note=Rates obtained from these websites may contradict with pegged rate mentioned aboveMonetary Union
Saudi Arabia is a member of the
Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf , which plans amonetary union with a singe currency by 2010. [ [http://www.gulfcurrency.org/ Gulf Currency ] ]ee also
*
Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf
*Economy of Saudi Arabia References
*
*External links
Standard numismatics external links
world_coin_gallery_1_url = Saudi
world_coin_gallery_1_name = Saudi Arabia
banknote_world_1_url = saudi_arabia
banknote_world_1_name = Saudi Arabia
dollarization_1_url = asia
dollarization_1_name = Asia
gfd_1_url = Saudi_Arabia
gfd_1_name = Saudi Arabia
gfd_data_1_url = 6094
gfd_data_1_name = Saudi Arabia Riyal
show_gfd_excel = Y
* [http://www.sama-ksa.org/en/museum/issues/ Riyal banknote series] From the first edition to the special edition. Does not include newer releases such as the new 100 and 500 rial banknotes with enhanced security features.
* [http://www.sama-ksa.org/en/news/undated/500en.htm Amended 500-Riyal put in circulation]
* http://www.islamicbanknotes.com/
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