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Saudi Arabia 1 Riyal Silver Coin King Abd al-Aziz

Today's Purchase Price

MS

AU

XF

VF

¥7500

¥7125

¥6750

¥6525

Cleaned

¥6375

Diameter :

Weight :

Purity :

Thickness :

37.3 mm

24.1 g

83% Silver

Product Description

Saudi Arabia 1 Riyal Silver Coin
King Abd al-Aziz
Buying by Condition – GoldSilverJapan

GoldSilverJapan purchases 1 Riyal Silver Coins (King Abd al-Aziz), issued during the founding of Saudi Arabia, at fair prices based on their condition.

This silver coin was issued as the initial currency of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which was founded in 1932, and is a historic silver coin that symbolizes the establishment of a modern Islamic state.

More than just a silver coin, it combines elements such as:

The date according to the Islamic calendar

The designation of the holy city of Mecca

The symbolism of the sword and palm

The fusion of royalty and religion

It is known as one of the most highly regarded coins in the Middle East and Islamic world.

About the 1 Riyal Silver Coin (Abdul Aziz)

This coin was issued in the name of Saudi Arabia's first king, Abdul Aziz bin Abdul Rahman Al-Saud (reigned 1921–1953).

Historical Background

1932: Founding of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

After its founding, a unified national monetary system was necessary.

A monetary design reflecting Islamic values was adopted.

The result was the creation of this silver 1 Riyal.

The Special Meaning of This Silver Coin

This coin clearly differs from the coins of modern Western nations in that it does not feature the king's portrait, respects Quranic values, and explicitly mentions the holy city of Mecca.

This is no coincidence; its design embodies the fundamental principle of the Saudi state: "monarchy is connected to faith."

Obverse (Obverse) Composition

The obverse features the official title in Arabic.

Main Contents

King of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman

The inscription is surrounded by a circle of beads,
and is flanked by crossed swords and palm trees.

This is the prototype of national identity, which also led to the design of the later national emblem.

Reverse Composition

The reverse features the following:

The face value of 1 riyal

Minute: Mecca

The year number according to the Hijri calendar


The Mecca minting location is an extremely important element, enhancing its religious and historical value.

Basic Specifications (Important)

Country of Issue: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

King: Abdulaziz

Year of Issue: AH 1354–1374 (1935–1955)

Material: Silver (.9167)

Weight: 11.6g

Diameter: 30mm

Thickness: 2.0mm

Pure Silver Weight: Approximately 10.63g (approximately 0.342 troy ounces)

👉 Despite its small size, this coin is of extremely high quality, crafted from high-grade silver (.9167).

Minting and International Background

This 1-riyal silver coin was minted at several international mints, including:

Birmingham Mint in the United Kingdom

Mexican Mint

Philadelphia Mint in the United States

This reflects the unique circumstances of a nation in its early days, when domestic minting capabilities were immature and international credibility was a priority.

GoldSilverJapan's Appraisal Philosophy

At GoldSilverJapan,
we position this 1 riyal silver coin as follows:

"Silver Bullion x Islamic History x Nation Founding"

In other words,

It is a coin that simultaneously considers its value as silver, its historical and cultural value, and its condition.

Evaluation Criteria by Condition (Grade)

The following is GoldSilverJapan's practical condition assessment.

VG (Very Good)

Features

Heavy wear

Arabic inscriptions are legible but faint

Details of the sword and palm are unclear

Evaluation

Price is primarily silver bullion

Historical value is maintained

F (Fine)

Features

General wear, but inscriptions are clear

Ring and sword are visible

Evaluation

Metal + minor historical premium

VF (Very Fine)

Features

Wear, but three-dimensionality remains

The beauty of the Arabic typeface is apparent

Evaluation

Most common condition in practice

Metal + stable market valuation

XF (Extremely Fine)

Features

Limited wear

Sword, palm, and ring are clear

Very good visual impression

Evaluation

Condition premium clearly reflected

Increasing demand from collectors

AU (About Uncirculated)

Features

Very little wear

Clear engraving

Beautiful surface symmetry

Value

Value beyond the bullion

Popular among Middle Eastern collectors

UNC (Uncirculated)

Features

Unused

No wear

Perfect mint texture

Value

More than a silver coin, more of a historical document

A clear premium in the market

Value differences depending on the year

In this series,

AH1354 (1935)

AH1367 (1948)

AH1370 (1950)

are relatively common.

On the other hand,

Late circulation

Good-condition coins

are clearly rare, and the difference in year affects price between AU and UNC.

Why condition is important

This silver coin

was in actual circulation

due to its hot, dry environment

pilgrimage and trade routes

and was used during its use,

prone to wear.

Therefore,

Good condition coins are considered to be "survivors" of historical significance.

Checkpoints for appraisal:

Clarity of Arabic inscriptions

Three-dimensionality of the sword and palm tree

Integrity of the ring

Presence or absence of unnatural polishing

Natural overall tone

Note: Discoloration due to aging will not result in a deduction.

About bulk sales and estate clearance

This 1 riyal silver coin is sometimes found in bulk as a heirloom of an old family

related to a business or assignment in the Middle East

pilgrimage (Hajj)



GoldSilverJapan considers the number of coins, their condition distribution, and the total silver content to provide the fairest overall appraisal.

Recommended for:

Those looking to organize their Middle Eastern and Islamic coins

Those looking for an appraisal based not only on their silver value but also on their historical value

Those looking to sell to a specialist overseas coin store

Those looking for a fair appraisal in Japan

Why choose GoldSilverJapan?

Understanding Islamic and Middle Eastern coins

Appraisals based on English and Arabic documents

Combining silver bullion and historical value

Transparency in explanations

Emphasis on long-term trust

Conclusion

The Saudi Arabian 1 Riyal silver coin (Abdulaziz) is not just a silver coin, but a witness to the birth of the nation.

At GoldSilverJapan,
we do not treat this silver coin as "silver to be melted down."

We provide a satisfactory appraisal based on a comprehensive evaluation of its condition, history, and silver value.

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