Saudi 1/2 Riyal
Saudi Arabia
1935–1945
Reference data compiled from public catalogs
Estimated Melt Value
$3.17
Based on Silver spot price ($78.96/oz) · 50.0% purity · 2.5g
Updated 10:08 PM
Collector premium not included
Specifications
| Country | Saudi Arabia |
| Years Minted | 1935–1945 |
| Composition | 50% silver, 50% copper |
| Weight | 2.5 g |
| Diameter | 18 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Edge | Reeded |
Design
Obverse
Depicts the Saudi Arabian coat of arms with crossed swords and a palm tree.
Reverse
Features Arabic inscriptions including the denomination and the date.
History & Notable Facts
The Saudi 1/2 Riyal, issued between 1935 and 1945, was struck in Italy, a pragmatic decision for a fledgling kingdom outsourcing its coinage needs.
These silver pieces, weighing about 2.8 grams and measuring 19 millimeters across, bore the Saudi coat of arms on the obverse. The reverse featured Arabic script denoting the denomination and date. Fineness was typically .500 silver, though variations occurred.
Mintage records are spotty; we know production spanned multiple years but not precise quantities, as Saudi archives from that period remain incomplete.
It's no surprise these coins show wear from circulation in a cash-based economy.
Design-wise, they marked a shift from older regional currencies, like the Ottoman piastre, to a unified Saudi standard.
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