Hejaz riyal

The riyal (Arabic: ريال riyāl) was the currency of the Kingdom of Hejaz between 1916 and 1925. It was subdivided into 20 qirsh (Arabic: قرش). The riyal was a silver coin the same weight as the Ottoman 20 kuruş coin but was minted in .917 fineness rather than .830 fineness. The Hejaz riyal was replaced by the Saudi riyal in 1925 at par.

A Spanish Real used in Hejaz with a countermark

Coins

In 1916, bronze coins were issued for ⅛, ¼, ½ and 1 qirsh together with silver 5, 10 and 20 qirsh. Gold 1 dinar coins were also minted. Turkish and Egyptian coins and Maria Theresa thaler, were countermarked for use in Hejaz, with the name of the kingdom in Arabic: الحجاز.

References

• Krause, Chester L.; Clifford Mishler (1991). Standard Catalog of World Coins: 1801–1991 (18th ed.). Krause Publications. ISBN 0873411501.