At the beginning of the 20th century, the Ottoman Empire began to lose control over its provinces located on the Arabian Peninsula, and after the end of World War I and the defeat of the Ottomans, the provinces became independent altogether .
The absence in these provinces of a leader capable of creating a full-fledged state was used by the descendant of the once influential pre-Ottoman rulers - Abdul-Aziz ibn Abdurrahman Al Saud.
King Abdul-Aziz ibn Abdurrahman Al Saud of Saudi Arabia (reigned 1902-1953, lived 1875-1953)
His goal was to regain the former power of the Wahhabi rulers on the Arabian Peninsula and he methodically seized more and more territories. This was facilitated not only by the anarchy of the local rulers and their lack of authority among the population, but also by the hostile attitude of the local population towards the Turkish conquerors, as well as the financial and military support of the British, who hatched plans to get new territories in their sphere of influence, and "shake" the Ottoman Empire in all possible directions.
In 1901, Abdul-Aziz captured Riyadh, the capital of the Najd sultanate, announced the restoration of the Wahhabi state and in 1905 proclaimed himself sultan. In 1913, on the eve of World War I, Abdul-Aziz captured the Turkish province and the oasis of the same name Al-Ahsa, in 1921 the emirate of Jebel Shammar. In 1925, the Sultan annexed the territories of the kingdom of Hijaz, and in 1926 most of the emirate of Asir. In 1932, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was proclaimed, which in 1933 included the remaining territories of the emirate of Asir.
And now, directly to the review of coins of the early period of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the territories that formed it. The review will be small, since few coins have been released.
In addition to Ottoman money, large foreign coins (Egyptian, Ottoman, Maria Theresa's thaler) were popular on the territory of Hejaz, on which overchecks with the name of the state of الحجاز were placed.
The first own coins were issued in Hijaz in 1916. These were bronze coins in denominations of ⅛, ¼, ½ and 1 piastre, as well as silver coins in denominations of 5, 10 and 20 piastre. The weight of Hejaz silver coins fully corresponded to the weight of Ottoman coins of a similar denomination, but the silver sample was higher.
After the capture of Hijaz and the formation of a joint sultanate, in 1925 two denominations were put into circulation: ¼ and ½ hirsch on copper and bronze blanks. The name of the currency was inherited from the Ottoman Empire. "Old" Hijaz coins were exchanged for new "joint issue" coins at face value.
The same denominations, as well as a 1 hirsch coin, were issued in 1926, but already on copper-nickel blanks. The legend on the coins reads "King of Nejd and Sultan of Hejaz."
KM # 5, ½ weight 1926 (١٣٤٤ -1344), copper-nickel alloy, only year of manufacture
In 1928, another line of coins came into circulation with the new legend "King of Hijaz, Nejd and Dependent Territories." In addition to copper-nickel coins, ¼, ½ and 1 rial were issued on silver blanks of 0.917 samples.
KM # 7, ¼ weight 1928 (١٣٤٦ -1346), copper-nickel alloy, 3 million equivalent, only year of production
KM # 8, ½ weight 1928 (١٣٤٦ -1346), copper-nickel alloy, 3 million equivalent, only year of production
In 1930, the full line was re-released. Copper-nickel coins received a slightly modified design, while the design of silver remained unchanged.
KM # 14, ½ weight 1930 (١٣٤٨ -1348), copper-nickel alloy, only year of manufacture
As mentioned above, in 1932, the Sultanate of Najd and Hijaz, which by that time had already annexed more than 80% of the territories of the Arabian Peninsula, was proclaimed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in accordance with Royal Decree No. 2716 of September 22, 1932.
With the updated legend "King of Saudi Arabia," in 1935 silver coins were issued first in denominations derived from the rial, and then in 1937 copper-nickel in derivatives from the hirsch. At the same time, silver coins more than doubled in weight against coins of similar denominations issued by Nezhd and Hijaz in 1928 and 1930.
KM # 19.1, ¼ weight 1937 (١٣٥٦ -1356), copper-nickel alloy, 1 million equivalent, only year of manufacture
KM # 20.1, ½ weight 1937 (١٣٥٦ -1356), copper-nickel alloy, 1 million equivalent, only year of manufacture
KM # 21.1, 1 hirsch 1937 (١٣٥٦ -1356), copper-nickel alloy, 4 million equivalent, single year of manufacture
KM # 16, ¼ Rial 1935 (١٣٥٤ -1354), Silver 0.917. 900 kEq, Single Year
KM # 17, ½ Rial 1935 (١٣٥٤ -1354), Silver 0.917. 950 kEq, Single Year
KM # 18, 1 rial 1935 (١٣٥٤ -1354), silver 0.917, 60 MMex., years of production 1935-1950
Copper-nickel coins in 1947 were reissued with old stamps at the Philadelphia Mint. The difference between new coins and the 1937 issue in the type of edge: 1937 - smooth edge, 1947 - ribbed edge.
In 1946 (١٣٦٥ -1365), many copper-nickel coins of early issues in order to combat private money changers were marked with Arabic numerals ٦٥ (65).