Saudi Arabia 5 Halala 1963

The 1963 Saudi 5 halala coin was struck at the Royal Mint in London, a practical choice for a young kingdom outsourcing its currency production.

This copper-nickel piece, weighing about 2.5 grams and measuring 19 millimeters across, bears the Saudi coat of arms on one side—crossed swords beneath a palm tree—and the value on the other. It's a no-frills design, reflecting the era's focus on functionality over flair.

Mintage records for this coin are murky; Saudi archives from the 1960s aren't the most forthcoming, and I've seen my share of gaps over the years.

Edge lettering is plain, just a simple reeding that kept it from being counterfeited too easily.

Some collectors overlook it because it's common, but that's their loss.