Saudi Arabia AH 1374 riyal
This specimen was lot 33653 in Stack's Bowers Collector's Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, May 2024), where it sold for $105. The catalog description[1] noted, "SAUDI ARABIA. Riyal, AH 1374 (1955). Mexico City Mint. Sa'ud bin 'Abd al-'Aziz. NGC MS-66. A stunning and rather enticing Superb Gem, this specimen presents a great deal of iridescent toning. According to the "Annual report of the Director of the Mint," the coinage dated to AH 1374 (1955) for Saudi Arabia was commissioned [from] the Mexican Mint in Mexico City." This type was struck AH 1374 only along with quarter and half riyals. The new type reflects the succession of king Saud (r. 1953-64) to the throne upon the death of king Abdulaziz (r. 1932-53). The specification is virtually identical to the British rupee.
Recorded mintage: 48,000,000.
Specification: 11.60 g, 0.917 fine silver, 30.5 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM-39.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, May 2024 World Collectors Choice Online Auction, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2024.
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