Saudi Riyal (SAR)

SAMA issues banknotes in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 50, 100 and 500 riyals. Their designs include the Grand Mosque, the Prophet's Mosque, the Mecca Clock Tower and the national emblem. Several banknotes also feature a portrait of the reigning king.

The riyal is subdivided into 100 halalas. Coins in circulation are 5, 10, 25, 50 and 100 halalas. They are minted by SAMA and feature on their obverse the national emblem: two crossed swords and a palm tree, a symbol of the kingdom's sovereignty.

The Saudi riyal was officially established in 1925, when King Abdelaziz ibn Saud unified the Hejaz and Nejd. Since 1986, the SAR has maintained a fixed exchange rate of 3.75 SAR per 1 USD, one of the most stable monetary parities in the world.

In Saudi Arabia, the "riyal" symbolises prosperity and generosity, values deeply rooted in Bedouin culture. At weddings and celebrations, it is customary to give envelopes containing banknotes. The country is also one of the world's largest senders of remittances, with millions of foreign workers sending money to their home countries.