Obverse. Image Courtesy of Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS.com)
  • 1/2 Riyal 1935, KM# 17, Saudi Arabia, Abdulaziz (Ibn Saud)
  • 1/2 Riyal 1935, KM# 17, Saudi Arabia, Abdulaziz (Ibn Saud)
Description

Abdulaziz bin Abdul Rahman Al Saud (1875–1953), known in the West as Ibn Saud, was the founder and first king of Saudi Arabia, the "third Saudi state", reigning from 23 September 1932 to his death. He had ruled parts of the kingdom as early as 1902, having previously been the emir, sultan, and king of Nejd and the king of Hejaz.

He reconquered his family's ancestral home city of Riyadh in 1902, starting three decades of conquests that made him the ruler of nearly all of central and north Arabia. He consolidated his control over the Nejd in 1922, then conquered the Hejaz in 1925. He extended his dominions into what later became the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1932. As King, he presided over the discovery of petroleum in Saudi Arabia in 1938 and the beginning of large-scale oil production after World War II. He fathered many children, including 45 sons, and all of the subsequent kings of Saudi Arabia.

Engraver: Ali

Obverse

Inscription "Abdulaziz ibn Abdul Rahman Al Saud King of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia" within beaded circle, legend "King of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia" above, crossed swords below within design flanked by palm trees. Engraver mark within a circle.

The two swords represent the Kingdom of Hejaz and the Sultanate of Najd and its dependencies, which were united under Ibn Saud in 1926.

ملك المملكة العربية السعودية
عبد العزيز بن عبد الرحمن ال سعود
علي

Reverse

Inscription "Struck in The Holy City of Mecca" within beaded circle, legend "Quarter Saudi Arabian Riyal" above, value below within design flanked by palm trees. Engraver mark within a circle.

The palm tree represents the Kingdom's assets which are defined as its people, heritage, history, and resources natural and non-natural.

نصف ريال عربي سعودي
ضرب في المكرمة مكة
١٣٥٤
١/٢
علي

Edge

1/2 Riyal

KM# 17 Schön# 15
Characteristics
Material Silver
Fineness 0.917
Weight 5.85 g
Diameter 24 mm
Thickness 1.23 mm
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
Philadelphia Mint (no mintmark)

Related coins

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