View source for Saudi riyal

{{Short description|Currency of Saudi Arabia}}
{{Infobox currency
| local_name = ريال سعودي
| replaced_currency = [[Hejaz riyal]]
| local_name_lang = 
| image_1 = Saudi Riyal 6th Domination.png
| image_title_1 = Sixth issue of the Saudi currency
Released during the reign of King Salman in 2016
| iso_code = SAR
| using_countries = {{flag|Saudi Arabia}}
| inflation_rate = -2.09% (Average of 2019)<ref>{{cite web|title=Saudi Central Bank {{!}} Inflation Rate|url=https://www.sama.gov.sa/en-us/indices/pages/inflationrate.aspx|website=Saudi Central Bank|access-date=2021-01-01|archive-date=2021-05-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210522223258/https://www.sama.gov.sa/en-US/Indices/Pages/InflationRate.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref>
| inflation_source_date = ''[http://www.sama.gov.sa/sites/SAMAEN/Pages/Home.aspx Saudi Central Bank]'', Jan 2014 est.
| pegged_with = [[United States dollar|U.S. dollar]] (USD) <br /> $1 USD = 3.75 SAR<ref name=autogenerated1/>
| subunit_ratio_1 = {{frac|1|100}}
| subunit_name_1 = halalah
| plural_subunit_1 = halalas
| symbol = ⃁
| used_coins = 1, 5, 10, 25, 50 halalas, 1 riyal, 2 riyals
| frequently_used_banknotes = 5, 10, 50, 100, 500 riyals
| rarely_used_banknotes = 1, 20, 200 riyals
| issuing_authority = [[Saudi Central Bank]]
| issuing_authority_website = {{URL|http://www.sama.gov.sa/en-us/pages/default.aspx|sama.gov.sa}}
}}
The '''Saudi riyal''' ([[Arabic]]: ريال سعودي'' {{transliteration|ar|ALA|riyāl suʿūdiyy}}'') is the [[currency]] of  [[Saudi Arabia]]. It is officially abbreviated as '''SAR''' (Saudi Arabian Riyal), though '''SR''' (Saudi Riyal) is also commonly used, It is subdivided into 100 halalas ([[Arabic]]: هللة ''{{transliteration|ar|DIN|Halalah}}'').

==History==
{{see also|British currency in the Middle East}}
The riyal has been the currency of Saudi Arabia since the country came into being and was the currency of [[Hejaz]] before Saudi Arabia was created, one of the primary currencies in the Mediterranean region during the [[Ottoman Arabia|Ottoman era]]. The [[Hejaz riyal]] was based on but not equivalent to the Ottoman 20 [[Ottoman lira|kuruş]] coin and was consequently divided into 20 qirsh. However, although the Hejaz riyal was the same weight as the Ottoman 20 kuruş, it was minted in .917 [[fineness]], 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 qirsh were issued from 1925. The system remained even though the riyal was subsequently debased to a coin equivalent, in silver content, to the [[Indian rupee]] in 1935.

In 1960, the system was changed to 20 qirsh to a riyal, which was followed in 1963 by the introduction of the ''halala'', one hundredth of a riyal. Some Saudi coins still bear denominations in qirsh, but it is no longer commonly used.

=== Currency symbol ===
[[File:التصميم الهندسي لرمز الريال السعودي - Saudi Riyal Symbol Design.svg|thumb|The design of the Saudi riyal symbol based on official standards.]]
On February 20, 2025, the [[Saudi Central Bank]] announced the approval of the Saudi riyal symbol by [[Salman of Saudi Arabia|King Salman]]. The symbol was designed by a committee composed of relevant official entities, including the Saudi Central Bank, the [[Ministry of Culture (Saudi Arabia)|Ministry of Culture]], the [[Ministry of Media (Saudi Arabia)|Ministry of Media]], and the [[Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Approves Saudi Riyal Symbol |url=https://www.spa.gov.sa/en/N2266531 |date=2025-02-20 |access-date=2025-09-30 |website=Saudi Press Agency |language=en}}</ref> 

Regarding the symbol, the Saudi Central Bank clarified that the design of the Saudi riyal symbol was inspired by Arabic calligraphy and consists solely of the Arabic letters of the word "Riyal," without any additional elements.<ref>{{Cite web |title=FAQs |url=https://www.sama.gov.sa/en-us/currency/srs/pages/faqs.aspx |access-date=2025-02-22 |website=Saudi Central Bank}}</ref> Additionally, the Saudi Central Bank has published the precise standards and proportions for designing the riyal symbol and guidelines for its usage.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Saudi riyal symbol Guidelines |url=https://www.sama.gov.sa/en-US/Currency/SRS/Pages/Guidelines.aspx |access-date=2025-09-30 |website=Saudi Central Bank}}</ref> The symbol was added to [[Unicode]] as {{unichar|20C1}} with the release of Unicode version 17.0 in September 2025,<ref>{{cite web |title=Unicode 17.0 Release Announcement |website=The Unicode Blog |url=https://blog.unicode.org/2025/09/unicode-170-release-announcement.html |date=2025-09-09 |access-date=2025-09-30}}</ref> but will take some time to become included in major [[computer font]]s (a {{mono|[[.notdef]]}} symbol will be displayed until then).

===Historical exchange rates===
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Historical exchange rate arrangements of Saudi Arabian currency since 1936
! Date period !! Arrangement !! Remarks
|-
| 1936 – 1948 || 1 SAR = 10.6918&nbsp;g silver<br>20 SAR = 7.32238&nbsp;g gold || 
|-
| 1948 – September 1948 || 1 SAR = 10.6918&nbsp;g silver<br>65 SAR = 7.32238&nbsp;g gold || 
|-
| 1948 – 1951 || 1 SAR = 10.6918&nbsp;g silver || The gold [[Sovereign (British coin)|sovereign]] coin was made legal tender in Saudi Arabia with an initial value of 62 riyals.
|-
| 1951 – 21 October 1952 || Informal fixed exchange rate ({{sfrac|3|15|22}} SAR = 1 USD) || Government begins stabilisation of exchange rate in relation to the U.S. dollar. Saudi Arabia adopted the gold standard. Implied exchange rate with the British sovereign coin was 40 riyals.
|-
| 22 October 1952 – 1 November 1954 || Fixed exchange rate ({{sfrac|3|15|22}} SAR = 1 USD) || Establishment of [[Saudi Central Bank|SAMA]] makes the fixed exchange rate official.
|-
| 2 November 1954 – 1958 || Fixed exchange rate (3.75 SAR = 1 USD) || Slight devaluation as announced by the finance minister.
|-
| 1958 – 22 January 1959<br>7 February 1959 – 7 January 1960 || Dual exchange rate || A free market currency exchange was established. Official exchange rate was 3.75 riyals per U.S. dollar. A royal decree on 23 January 1959 briefly abolished the free market currency exchange.
|-
| 8 January 1960 – 14 March 1975 || Fixed exchange rate with USD || On 23 August 1971, the riyal was devalued by a sixth so that 4.50 SAR = 1 USD. Saudi Arabia did not follow the devaluation of the USD against gold, causing the exchange rate with respect to the USD to become 4.14475 riyals in December 1971 and 3.73027 riyals in February 1973. Following the [[1970s energy crisis]], the riyal was revalued to 3.55001 riyals per US dollar in August 1973.
|-
| From 15 March 1975 || Anchor to [[special drawing rights]] || The currency was anchored to the IMF's special drawing rights at an initial exchange rate of 4.28255 riyals per SDR and was allowed to fluctuate within a band from September 1975 to July 1981. In practice, since 1986, the currency has been pegged to the US dollar at a rate of 3.745 (now 3.75) riyals per US dollar.
|}

==Coins==
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Saudi Arabian halalah series 6 26488889.jpg|300px|thumb|right| The sixth series of halalahs under [[King Salman]]]] -->

In 1925, transitional copper coins for {{frac|1|4}} and {{frac|1|2}} qirsh (in some parts of the country, it is pronounced girsh) were minted in [[Mecca]] by [[Ibn Saud|King Abdulaziz]]. They were followed, in 1926, by {{frac|1|4}}, {{frac|1|2}} and 1 qirsh cupro-nickel pieces 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 {{frac|1|4}}, {{frac|1|2}} and 1 qirsh in cupro-nickel and {{frac|1|4}}, {{frac|1|2}} and 1 riyal in silver.

In 1935, the first coins were issued in the name of Saudi Arabia. These were silver {{frac|1|4}}, {{frac|1|2}} and 1 riyal coins which were nearly 50% lighter than the previous issue. Cupro-nickel {{frac|1|4}}, {{frac|1|2}} and 1 qirsh were also issued from 1937. In 1946 ([[Hijri era|AH]] 1365), many of the cupro-nickel coins were countermarked with the Arabic numerals 65 in what Krause and Mishler describe as "a move to break money changers' monopoly on small coins". Cupro-nickel 2 and 4 qirsh were introduced in 1957.

In 1963, the halala was introduced, and bronze 1 halala coins were issued. That was the only year they were struck. Cupro-nickel 5, 10, 25 and 50 halala followed in 1972, inscribed with their denomination in ghirsh or riyal (1, 2 qirsh, {{frac|1|4}}, {{frac|1|2}} riyal). In 1976, cupro-nickel 1 riyal coins were introduced, which are also inscribed with the denomination 100 halala. Bimetallic 1 riyal coins, also marked 100 halala, were issued in 1999.

A new series of 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50 halalas and bimetallic 1 and 2 riyal coins was issued in 2016.

{|class="wikitable" style="margin:auto; font-size:90%; border-width:1px;"
|-
! colspan="10"| Current series (2016)
|-
! Image
! Value
! Diameter<br/>(mm)
! Mass<br/>(g)
! colspan=2 | Composition
! Edge
! Obverse
! Reverse
! Issue
|-
| 
| 1 halala
| align=center | 16.00
| align=center | 2.00
| rowspan="3" style="background-color:#dcdcdc;" |
| rowspan="3" | [[Nickel]]-plated [[steel]]
| Milled
| rowspan=5 | [[Emblem of Saudi Arabia|Emblem]] and ornamentation;<br/>Lettering {{small|(Arabic)}}:<br/>''Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques'',<br/>''Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud'';<br/>year of issue {{small|(Hijri and Gregorian)}}
| rowspan=5 | Value {{small|(Arabic and English)}};<br/>ornamentation
| rowspan=9 | 2016
|-
| 
| 5 halalas
| align=center | 17.50
| align=center | 2.40
| Smooth
|-
| 
| 10 halalas
| align=center | 19.00
| align=center | 2.80
| Interrupted milling
|-
| 
| 25 halalas
| align=center | 21.50
| align=center | 4.10
| rowspan="3" style="background-color:#ffe550;" |
| rowspan="2" | [[Brass]]
| Indented
|-
| 
| 50 halalas
| align=center | 24.00
| align=center | 5.20
| Security
|-
| rowspan=2 |
| rowspan=2 | 1 riyal
| rowspan=2 align=center | 23.00
| rowspan=2 align=center | 5.75
| Outer: [[Brass]]
| rowspan=2 | Smooth
| rowspan=2 | [[Salman of Saudi Arabia|Salman bin Abdulaziz]];<br/>[[Emblem of Saudi Arabia|Emblem]] and ornamentation
| rowspan=4 | Lettering {{small|(Arabic and English)}}:<br/>''Kingdom of Saudi Arabia'', value;<br/>year of issue {{small|(Hijri and Gregorian)}};<br/>ornamentation
|-
| rowspan="2" style="background-color:#dcdcdc;" |
| Inner: [[Cupronickel]]
|-
| rowspan=2 |
| rowspan=2 | 2 riyals
| rowspan=2 align=center | 25.00
| rowspan=2 align=center | 6.70
| Outer: [[Cupronickel]]
| rowspan=2 | Interrupted milling
| rowspan=2 | [[Ibn Saud|Abdulaziz bin Abdul Rahman]];<br/>[[Emblem of Saudi Arabia|Emblem]] and ornamentation
|-
| style="background-color:#ffe550;"|
| Inner: [[Brass]]-plated [[steel]]
|-
|}

== Banknotes ==
[[File:Saudi currency.jpg|thumb|180px|The fourth series under [[Fahd of Saudi Arabia|King Fahd]] (1984–2007)]]

In 1953, the [[Saudi Central Bank|Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency]] (SAMA) began issuing [[Hajj]] Pilgrim Receipts for 10 riyals,<ref>{{cite web |title=10 ريال |url=http://aes.iupui.edu/rwise/banknotes/saudi_arabia/SaudiArabiaP1-10Riyals-(1953)-donatedcz_f.jpg |website=Indiana University |access-date=22 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120208083608/http://aes.iupui.edu/rwise/banknotes/saudi_arabia/SaudiArabiaP1-10Riyals-(1953)-donatedcz_f.jpg |archive-date=8 February 2012}}</ref> 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 riyals on 15 June 1961. The Pilgrim Receipts were withdrawn on 1 February 1965.<ref>{{cite book | last1 = Linzmayer | first1 = Owen | title = The Banknote Book | chapter = Saudi Arabia | publisher = Banknote News | year = 2012 | location = San Francisco, CA | url = http://www.banknotebook.com/ | access-date = 2012-05-01 | archive-date = 2015-09-23 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150923031410/http://www.banknotebook.com/ | url-status = live }}</ref>

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. The 5th series of banknotes bearing the face of [[Abdullah of Saudi Arabia|King Abdullah]] were issued in 2007. The 6th series of banknotes bearing the face of [[Salman of Saudi Arabia|King Salman]] were issued on 14/3/1438H (13/12/2016).

===Fifth series===
[[File:Saudi Riyal 5th Domination.jpg|thumb|180px|The fifth series under [[Abdullah of Saudi Arabia|King Abdullah]] (2007–2016)]]
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 features [[Abdullah of Saudi Arabia|King Abdullah]]'s picture on all notes except the 500 riyals, which features [[ibn Saud|King Abdulaziz]]. The 100 and 50 riyal notes were released on May 21, 2007. The 10 and 5 riyal notes followed in June 2007, then the 500 riyal followed in September 2007, and finally the 1 riyal note completed the series in 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 25 years. The fourth series which feature [[Fahd of Saudi Arabia|King Fahd]]'s picture will remain legal tender under the Saudi Arabian monetary law. The new series have the latest and most advanced security system to prevent from counterfeiting and other similar activities.

{|class="wikitable" style="margin:auto; font-size:90%; border-width:1px;"
|-
! colspan=9 | Fifth series (2007)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://banknotenews.com/files/ef40a6db5320aa1a18c8bf4992a1cda7-51.php|title=Saudi Arabia unveils new family of notes - Banknote News|website=Banknote News|access-date=22 August 2018|archive-date=7 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121007000626/http://banknotenews.com/files/ef40a6db5320aa1a18c8bf4992a1cda7-51.php|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
! rowspan=2 | Image
! rowspan=2 | Value
! rowspan=2 | Dimensions<br/>(mm)
! rowspan=2 colspan=2 | Main colour
! colspan=2 | Description
! rowspan=2 | First<br/>printing
! rowspan=2 | Issue
|-
! Obverse
! Reverse
|-
| align=center | [http://banknote.ws/COLLECTION/countries/ASI/SAR/SAR0031.htm]
| 1 riyal
| align=center | 133 × 63
| style="background:#65A765;"|
| Light green
| [[Abdullah of Saudi Arabia|Abdullah bin Abdulaziz]];<br/>7th century [[gold dinar]] coin
| [[Saudi Central Bank|SAMA]] headquarters
| rowspan="6" | 2007
| 31 December 2007
|-
| align=center | [http://banknote.ws/COLLECTION/countries/ASI/SAR/SAR0032.htm]
| 5 riyals
| align=center | 145 × 66
| style="background:#8F4E8F;"|
| Violet
| [[Abdullah of Saudi Arabia|Abdullah bin Abdulaziz]];<br/>[[Ras Tanura]] oil refinery
| [[King Fahd Industrial Port (Jubail)|Jubail Port]]
| rowspan="2" | 16 July 2007
|-
| align=center | [http://banknote.ws/COLLECTION/countries/ASI/SAR/SAR0033.htm]
| 10 riyals
| align=center | 150 × 68
| style="background:#A0522D;"|
| Brown
| [[Abdullah of Saudi Arabia|Abdullah bin Abdulaziz]];<br/>[[Murabba Palace]]
| [[King Abdulaziz Historical Center]]
|-
| align=center | [http://banknote.ws/COLLECTION/countries/ASI/SAR/SAR0034.htm]
| 50 riyals
| align=center | 155 × 70
| style="background:#0D860D;"|
| Dark green
| [[Abdullah of Saudi Arabia|Abdullah bin Abdulaziz]];<br/>[[Dome of the Rock]], [[Jerusalem]]
| [[Al-Aqsa Mosque]], [[Jerusalem]]
| rowspan="2" | 21 May 2007
|-
| align=center | [http://banknote.ws/COLLECTION/countries/ASI/SAR/SAR0035.htm]
| 100 riyals
| align=center | 160 × 72
| style="background:#B30000;"|
| Red
| [[Abdullah of Saudi Arabia|Abdullah bin Abdulaziz]];<br/>[[Green Dome]]
| [[Prophet's Mosque]]
|-
| align=center | [http://banknote.ws/COLLECTION/countries/ASI/SAR/SAR0036.htm]
| 500 riyals
| align=center | 166 × 74
| style="background:#015494;"|
| Blue
| [[Ibn Saud|Abdulaziz bin Abdul Rahman]];<br/>[[Kaaba]]
| [[Masjid al-Haram]]
| 17 September 2007
|}

===Sixth series===
The newly renamed Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority unveiled a new family of banknotes with the portrait of [[Salman of Saudi Arabia|King Salman]] on banknotes from 5 to 100 riyals, with a portrait of King Abdulaziz Al Saud on the 500 riyals banknote.<ref>[http://banknotenews.com/files/cc9eb143273a7d3c82964dab0d46d970-4157.php Saudi Arabia new notes (B136 – B140) unveiled for 26 December 2016 introduction] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180705032717/http://banknotenews.com/files/cc9eb143273a7d3c82964dab0d46d970-4157.php |date=5 July 2018 }} Banknote News (banknotenews.com). December 13, 2016. Retrieved on 2016-12-13.</ref> On the 4 October 2020, the Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority announced the first [[Polymer banknote|polymer note]] to be used in Saudi Arabia, being the 5 riyals note, to replace the current paper banknote, without any announcement on the other banknotes. The banknote was said to feature more environmentally friendly materials and additional security features, in addition to a much longer lifespan.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sama Introduces The Five Riyal Denomination Made Of Polymer ... And It Will Start Circulating On October 5th |url=http://www.sama.gov.sa/en-us/news/pages/news-618.aspx |access-date=4 October 2020 |archive-date=8 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008225451/http://www.sama.gov.sa/en-us/news/pages/news-618.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref>

The commemorative 20 riyal note, released in 2020 to commemorate the [[G20]], attracted attention on release, as its reverse depicts the disputed territory of [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]] as a separate nation from [[India]]. While this design feature was met with criticism in most of India, it was received favourably by people in Kashmir and on social media, as it was viewed as a tacit form of approval of the region's separatism movement.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Osman |first=Nadda |date=30 October 2020 |title=Saudi G20 banknote angers India by depicting independent Kashmir |url=http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/saudi-arabia-g20-currency-jammu-and-kashmir-india |access-date=2023-06-23 |website=[[Middle East Eye]] |language=en |archive-date=2023-02-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201225613/https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/saudi-arabia-g20-currency-jammu-and-kashmir-india |url-status=live }}</ref>

{|class="wikitable" style="margin:auto; font-size:90%; border-width:1px;"
|-
! colspan=9 | Sixth series (2016)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sama.gov.sa/en-us/currency/pages/sixthissue.aspx|title=Sixth Issue|website=Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority|access-date=August 22, 2018|archive-date=August 22, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180822214322/http://www.sama.gov.sa/en-us/currency/pages/sixthissue.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
! rowspan=2 | Image
! rowspan=2 | Value
! rowspan=2 | Dimensions<br/>(mm)
! rowspan=2 colspan=2 | Main colour
! colspan=2 | Description
! rowspan=2 | First<br/>printing
! rowspan=2 | Issue
|-
! Obverse
! Reverse
|-
| rowspan=2 align=center | <ref>{{cite web|url=http://banknote.ws/COLLECTION/countries/ASI/SAR/SARW2016-005.htm|title=5 riyals-2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161228195227/http://banknote.ws/COLLECTION/countries/ASI/SAR/SARW2016-005.htm|archive-date=2016-12-28|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| rowspan=2 | 5 riyals
| rowspan=2 align=center | 145 × 66
| rowspan=2 style="background:#860D86;"|
| rowspan=2 | Purple
| rowspan=2 | [[Salman of Saudi Arabia|Salman bin Abdulaziz]];<br/>[[Shaybah oil field|Shaybah oil refinery]]
| rowspan=2 | Flowers
| 2016
| 26 December 2016 {{small|(paper)}}
|-
| 2020
| 4 October 2020 {{small|(polymer)}}
|-
| align=center | <ref>{{cite web|url=http://banknote.ws/COLLECTION/countries/ASI/SAR/SARW2016-010.htm|title=10 riyals-2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161228124429/http://banknote.ws/COLLECTION/countries/ASI/SAR/SARW2016-010.htm|archive-date=2016-12-28|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Falkhaleejtoday.co%2Ftemp%2Fresized%2Fmedium_2020-10-04-12116d32db.jpg&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F%2Femirati.news%2Fsaudi-arabia-launches-first-arab-plastic-banknotes%2F&tbnid=WEei7mUaSe_XXM&vet=12ahUKEwiM_Z7_vvDtAhUMzhQKHS4NC0oQMygPegUIARDEAQ..i&docid=pr-ficJ6tjtMdM&w=700&h=450&q=new%20polymer%205%20riyal&safe=strict&ved=2ahUKEwiM_Z7_vvDtAhUMzhQKHS4NC0oQMygPegUIARDEAQ |title=Saudi Arabia launches first Arab plastic banknotes |date=6 October 2020 |website=Emirati News |accessdate=25 October 2022 |archive-date=10 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220510145012/https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https://alkhaleejtoday.co/temp/resized/medium_2020-10-04-12116d32db.jpg&imgrefurl=https://emirati.news/saudi-arabia-launches-first-arab-plastic-banknotes/&tbnid=WEei7mUaSe_XXM&vet=12ahUKEwiM_Z7_vvDtAhUMzhQKHS4NC0oQMygPegUIARDEAQ..i&docid=pr-ficJ6tjtMdM&w=700&h=450&q=new%20polymer%205%20riyal&safe=strict&ved=2ahUKEwiM_Z7_vvDtAhUMzhQKHS4NC0oQMygPegUIARDEAQ |url-status=live }}</ref>
| 10 riyals
| align=center | 150 × 68
| style="background:#A0522D;"|
| Brown
| [[Salman of Saudi Arabia|Salman bin Abdulaziz]];<br/>[[Murabba Palace]]
| [[King Abdullah Financial District]]
| rowspan="4" | 2016
| rowspan=4 | 26 December 2016
|-
| align=center | <ref>{{cite web|url=http://banknote.ws/COLLECTION/countries/ASI/SAR/SARW2016-050.htm|title=50 riyals-2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161228124311/http://banknote.ws/COLLECTION/countries/ASI/SAR/SARW2016-050.htm|archive-date=2016-12-28|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| 50 riyals
| align=center | 155 × 70
| style="background:#0D860D;"|
| Green
| [[Salman of Saudi Arabia|Salman bin Abdulaziz]];<br/>[[Dome of the Rock]], [[Jerusalem]]
| [[Al-Aqsa Mosque|Qibli Mosque]] (part of [[Al-Aqsa|Al-Aqsa mosque]]), [[Jerusalem]]
|-
| align=center | <ref>{{cite web|url=http://banknote.ws/COLLECTION/countries/ASI/SAR/SARW2016-100.htm|title=100 riyals-2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161228195150/http://banknote.ws/COLLECTION/countries/ASI/SAR/SARW2016-100.htm|archive-date=2016-12-28|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| 100 riyals
| align=center | 160 × 72
| style="background:#B30000;"|
| Red
| [[Salman of Saudi Arabia|Salman bin Abdulaziz]];<br/>[[Green Dome]]
| [[Prophet's Mosque]], [[Medina]]
|-
| align=center | <ref>{{cite web|url=http://banknote.ws/COLLECTION/countries/ASI/SAR/SARW2016-500.htm|title=500 riyals-2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161228195347/http://banknote.ws/COLLECTION/countries/ASI/SAR/SARW2016-500.htm|archive-date=2016-12-28|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| 500 riyals
| align=center | 166 × 74
| style="background:#015494;"|
| Blue
| [[Ibn Saud|Abdulaziz bin Abdul Rahman]];<br/>[[Kaaba]]
| [[Masjid al-Haram]], [[Mecca]]
|-
! colspan=9 | Commemorative issues
|-
| align=center | <ref>{{Cite web |title=P-W44 |url=http://www.banknote.ws/COLLECTION/countries/ASI/SAR/SARW2020-020-comm.htm |access-date=2023-03-22 |website=www.banknote.ws |archive-date=2022-11-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221128143321/http://www.banknote.ws/COLLECTION/countries/ASI/SAR/SARW2020-020-comm.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>
| 20 riyals
| align=center | 152 × 69
| style="background:#808000;"|
| Olive green<br/>and grey
| [[Salman of Saudi Arabia|Salman bin Abdulaziz]];<br/>[[G20]] logo
| [[World map]] with G20 members highlighted;<br/>star indicating the location of Saudi Arabia
| 2020
| 25 October 2020
|-
| align=center | <ref>{{Cite web |title=P-W45 |url=http://www.banknote.ws/COLLECTION/countries/ASI/SAR/SARW2021-200-comm.htm |access-date=2023-03-22 |website=www.banknote.ws |archive-date=2023-03-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322152050/http://www.banknote.ws/COLLECTION/countries/ASI/SAR/SARW2021-200-comm.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>
| 200 riyals
| align=center | 163 × 73
| style="background:#606060;"|
| Grey
| [[Ibn Saud|Abdulaziz bin Abdul Rahman]];<br/>[[Saudi Vision 2030|Vision 2030]] logo
| [[Al Hukm Palace|Al-Hukm Palace]]
| 2021
| 1 April 2021
|}

==Fixed exchange rate==
In June 1986, the riyal was officially [[Fixed exchange rate system|pegged]] to the [[International Monetary Fund|IMF]]'s [[special drawing rights]] (SDRs). In practice, it is fixed at 1 [[United States dollar|U.S. dollar]] = 3.75 riyals, which translates to approximately 1 riyal = 0.266667 dollar.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sama-ksa.org/en/news/2004-10/3.pdf|title=Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency|website=www.sama-ksa.org|access-date=22 August 2018|archive-date=5 February 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090205135618/http://www.sama-ksa.org/en/news/2004-10/3.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sama-ksa.org/en/news/undated/special_feature.htm|title=Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency|website=www.sama-ksa.org|access-date=22 August 2018|archive-date=18 January 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090118094526/http://www.sama-ksa.org/en/news/undated/special_feature.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> This rate was made official on January 1, 2003.

The riyal briefly rose to a 20-year high after the US [[Federal Reserve]] cut [[interest rate]]s on September 18, 2007, and the SAMA chose not to follow suit, partially due to concerns about the inflationary effects low interest rates and a lower value for the riyal.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aV7efXoLELDo | work=Bloomberg | title=Gulf States Consider Revaluing Currencies, Person Familiar Says | date=17 November 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601083&sid=aeRcoZIP5s0g | work=Bloomberg | title=Gulf Arab States May Revalue to Combat Inflation (Update1) | date=5 December 2007 | access-date=11 March 2017 | archive-date=5 January 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240105053741/https://www.bloomberg.com/politics?pid=20601083&sid=aeRcoZIP5s0g | url-status=live }}</ref> The riyal returned to its peg against the U.S. dollar in early December 2007.<ref name=autogenerated1>{{cite news | url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601083&sid=akIPULeiXTCc | work=Bloomberg | title=GCC States Back 2010 Single Currency, Quiet on Dollar (Update2) | date=4 December 2007 | access-date=11 March 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601083&sid=aGrjqrSXfVf0 | work=Bloomberg | title=Gulf States May Have to Drop Pegs, Merrill, Bear Stearns Say | date=5 February 2008 | access-date=11 March 2017 | archive-date=5 January 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240105053740/https://www.bloomberg.com/politics?pid=20601083&sid=aGrjqrSXfVf0 | url-status=live }}</ref>

{{Exchange Rate|SAR|INR|JPY|USD
note=Rates obtained from these websites may contradict pegged rate mentioned above}}

==Proposed currency union==

Saudi Arabia is a member of the [[Gulf Cooperation Council]], which planned a [[Currency union]] with a single currency by 2010.<ref name=autogenerated1 /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gulfcurrency.org/|title=Gulf Currency<!-- Bot generated title -->|access-date=22 August 2018|archive-date=23 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150123143202/http://www.gulfcurrency.org/|url-status=live}}</ref> However, all GCC countries operate with their own currency so far.

==See also==
* [[List of banks in Saudi Arabia|Banks in Saudi Arabia]]
* [[Economy of Saudi Arabia]]
* [[Iranian rial]]
* [[Omani rial]]
* [[Qatari riyal]]
* [[Yemeni rial]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{refbegin}}
* {{numis cite SCWC | date=1991}}
* {{numis cite SCWPM | date=1994}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
* [http://www.sama.gov.sa/sites/samaen/Currency/SaudiBankNotes/Pages/default.aspx Saudi banknotes] From the first edition to the special edition.
* http://www.islamicbanknotes.com/

{{Saudi Arabia topics}}
{{Currencies of Asia}}
{{Portal bar|Asia|Money|Numismatics|Saudi Arabia}}

[[Category:Currencies of Saudi Arabia]]
[[Category:Fixed exchange rate]]
[[Category:Currencies of Asia]]
[[Category:Circulating currencies]]