Description
The Saudi riyal is the official currency of Saudi Arabia since the country’s creation; it is one of the first currencies in the Mediterranean region during the Ottoman era. In 1925, coins in denominations of ¼ and ½ were introduced by Ibn Saud (founder of Saudi Arabia), followed by 1 qirsh in 1926. In 1935, the first coins in the name of Saudi Arabia were issued in denominations of 1/4, ½ and 1 riyal, followed by 2 and 4 qirsh in 1957. In 1963 the halala was introduced in a denomination of 1 halala, then in 1972, 5, 10, 25 and 50 halala coins were issued, followed by a 100 halala in 1976. In 2016, the Monetary Authority of Saudi Arabia introduced a new series of coins with denominations of 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50 halalas and 1 and 2 riyals.
The 5 Saudi halala coin front design features The National Emblem (consists of two crossed swords with a palm tree on top), the issue date in Gregorian and Islamic Calendar, and sketch allusive to vegetation top and bottom. The reverse coin design illustrates the denomination and a sketch allusive to vegetation in the upper and lower part. This coin is part of the 2016 (1438) series, its rim is plain, and its color is silver.
Text: Servant of the Holy Places, King Salman bin ‘Abd al-‘Aziz Al Sa’ud, Five Halalas, 5, 2016 1438.