Bank Note Issues of Saudi Arabia

• Bank Note Issues of Saudi Arabia

• First Issue

By the Regulations for Currency, stipulated under the Royal Decree No. (6), dated (1/71379 H.), the First Issue of Saudi banknotes was put in circulation on (1/1/1381H.) corresponding to (14/6/1961G), during the Reign of King Saud Bin Abdulaziz. This 1st Issue included the One Hundred, the Fifty, the Ten, the Five and the One Saudi Riyal denominations. This issue was withdrawn from circulation on (1/5/1391H.) corresponding to (24/6/1971G.).

• Second Issue

By virtue of Royal Decree No. 6, of 11 71 1379 A.H., the 100,50, 10,5 and 1 riyal notes were issued and put into circulation on 151 1 11 1379 A.H. (131 31 1968 A.D.). They were withdrawn from circulation I on 1.7,1400 H., and they could be exchanged only at the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency and its branches.

• Third Issue

On 16/10/1396H (corresponding to 9/9/1976H.), the 3rd Issue of Saudi Banknotes was put in circulation during the Reign of King Khalid Bin Abdulaziz. This 3rd Issue included the One Hundred, the Fifty, the Ten, the Five and the One Saudi Riyal denominations

• Fourth Issue

The 4th Issue of Saudi Banknotes was put in circulation on 1/4/1404 H. (corresponding to 4/1/1984G.), during the Reign of The Custodian of The Two holy Mosques, King Fahad Bin Abdulaziz. This issue is unique for it added the denomination of the Five Hundred Saudi Riyals banknote to the then existing One Hundred, Fifty, Ten, Five and One Saudi Riyal banknotes. This also indicated a positive response to the evolving expansion in monetary dealings brought about by progressive economic developments in the Kingdom.

• Fifth Issue

The fifth issue of Saudi Banknotes which was printed in the era of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. The 100 and 50 riyals denominations were released on Monday 4/5/1428 A.H. corresponding to 21/5/2008, followed by releasing the 10 and 5 riyals denominations on Monday 2/7/1428 A.H. corresponding to 16/7/2007. The five-hundred and one riyal denominations were released on Monday 5/9/1428 A.H. corresponding to 17/9/2007 and Monday 21/12/1428 A.H. corresponding to 31/12/2007 respectively. These new notes are circulated along with the preceding denominations as an official currency. The new banknotes are distinguished by many technical specifications and security marks set according to the latest specifications in paper currency printing field. 

• Special Issue:

On the centenary occasion of the founding of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on 5/10/1419A.H. (1999 A.D.), SAMA has released two new denominations represented by  Two Hundred and  Twenty Saudi Riyals banknotes. Both denominations reflected the motto of the occasion and were put in circulation along with the other legally binding banknotes. Moreover, both are characterized by various technical specifications and security features implemented by the most modern specifications used in banknote printing industry.

• Pilgrims Issue

The first Pilgrims' Receipt, a ten-riyal denomination, was issued on 18.1 1.1372 A.H. (A.D.) It was reprinted in another form and put into circulation on 15.9.1372 A.H. (17.5.19. The five-riyal-denomination was added on 16.10.1373 A.H. (14.6.1954 A.D.) and the one riyal denomination on 13.1 1 .I375 A.H. (21.6.1956 A.D.). All of them were withdrawn from circulation on 30.9.1384 A.H. (1.2.1965 A.D.).