Pilgrims Receipts

​​​​​​​Overview

In 1372H, corresponding to 1953, the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency, now the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA), issued “Pilgrims’ Receipts” as a lighter, more convenient alternative to silver riyals. These receipts addressed the difficulties pilgrims faced carrying heavy coins. Their value was backed by an equivalent amount of Saudi silver riyals, and they featured multilingual inscriptions in Arabic, Turkish, Urdu, Persian, Malay, and English to ensure broad usability and credibility. This initiative marked a significant milestone in Saudi currency history and was an early step toward adopting paper money.

The issuance began with the ten riyals denomination, which was widely accepted by pilgrims and local market participants due to its ease of use and the speed with which its value could be redeemed. This success encouraged SAMA to expand the initiative by introducing the five riyals denomination, followed by the one riyal denomination. These steps marked a new phase in the development of the national currency and played a crucial role in instilling confidence in paper money, thereby preparing society for its broader adoption.
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​​Pilgrims’ Receipt – Ten Riyals Denomination

1372 AH (1953 CE)

  • Front:
  • The value of the receipt is given in the four corners
  • In the middle is the Kingdom's, emblem and writings on the left and right side.
  • writing to its right: "This receipt was issued by the Monetary Authority to facilitate pilgrimage for its bearer, and to make the Arabian riyals at his disposal, easily and quickly, during his stay in the country without paying the costs of exchange”
  • To the left of the emblem appear the following writings: "We certify that the (Monetary) Authority holds in its vaults in Jeddah the  sum of ten Arab riyals at the disposal of the bearer of this receipt. It is fully negotiable, and its value will immediately be paid upon presentation to any centre of the Authority."
  • Under that appear the number and date of issue, 1372 H., and the signatures of the Governor, his deputy and the Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors.
  • The face also includes the value of the receipt in different languages: Arabic, Turkish, Urdu, Persian, Malay and English, at the bottom
  • Reverse:
  • A rectangle shows an undertaking by SAMA in Arabic, Urdu, Persian, Malay, Turkish and English, as well as the serial number
Before the unified Saudi currency Size of the Note: 138 × 66 mm.   Main Color of the Note: Green
 
​​Ten Riyals Denomination ​Second edition

1373 AH (1953 CE)

  • Front:
  • A rectangle contains the value of the receipt in its corners in Eastern and Western Arabic numerals
  • Inside the rectangle, at the top, appear: 'The Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority."
  • In the middle of the rectangle appear two dhows in Jeddah Port.
  • To the right and left of the two dhows appear four lines in Arabic. They show the same information and certification of the first issue
  • It also includes the value of the receipt in Urdu, Arabic Turkish, Persians, Malay and English, As well as the date of issue, 1373
  • The serial number, the signatures of the Governor, the Vice-Governor and the Deputy Chairman of the Board Directors.
  • Reverse:
  • It contains the Kingdom's emblem and the commitment by SAMA in five languages: Arabic, Urdu, Persian, Malay and Turkish, and the name of "the Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority.
Second Issue: 10-Riyal Note Size of the Note: 173 × 78 mm. Main Color of the Note: Green
 
​​Five Riyals Denomination

1373 AH (1953 CE)

  • Front:
  • A rectangle with the view of a dhow in Jeddah port
  • In the 2 briers is the value of the receipt in Eastern and Western Arabic numerals
  • The name of SAMA (at the top)
  • The security thread ​and the value of the receipt in Arabic, English, Persian, Urdu, Turkish and Malay
  • The signatures of the Governor. his Deputy and the Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors
  • The date of issue, 1373 A.H., and the serial number
  • Reverse:
  • A rectangle containing, at the top, a two-line undertaking by SAMA in Arabic
  • In the middle of the rectangle is the emblem of Saudi Arabia
  • To the right and left of the emblem appears the same undertaking of the Authority, including the value of the receipt in Urdu, Turkish, Persian, and Malay
Third Issue: 5-Riyal Note Size of the Note: 156 × 66 mm. Main Color of the Note: Blue
 
​One Riyal Denomination

1375 G.H (1956 CE)

  • ​Front:
  • A rectangle including the name of "the Mo​netary Authority" and the security thread
  • In the middle appears a picture of the Khuzam Palace gate
  • The name of SAMA (at the top)
  • the value of the receipt in Arabic, Malawi, Urdu, Persian, Turkish and English
  • the signatures of the Governor and Chairman of the Board of Directors
  • Reverse:
  • A rectangle with the value of the receipt in figures in its corners
  • containing within an undertaking in the Arabic, Turkish, Malawi, Urdu and Persian Languages
  • At the bottom is the Kingdom's emblem
Third Issue: 5-Riyal Note Size of the Note: 127 × 72 mm. Main Color of the Note: Green
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