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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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