10 riyals 1968

Common. The extensive eBay auction history provided demonstrates consistent and frequent sales across all condition grades, with F (Fine) specimens regularly selling for $10-20 and UNC examples averaging $100-200 across multiple transactions spanning over a decade. The presence of numerous PMG-graded examples achieving premium prices (PMG 66 specimens reaching $300-700) indicates healthy market circulation and availability of this issue. The Pick-13 is a regular issue from the inaugural 1968 series with substantial print runs, confirming common status.

Issued by the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency during a formative period of modern Saudi Arabia's financial infrastructure, this note commemorates the nation's most sacred religious site—the Grand Mosque of Mecca—through its detailed engraved depiction on the obverse. The inclusion of the Saudi national coat of arms (crossed swords and shield with palm tree) on the reverse underscores the intertwining of religious and national identity during the 1960s modernization era in the Kingdom.

The obverse features a meticulously engraved representation of the Masjid al-Haram (Grand Mosque of Mecca), showcasing the mosque's iconic multiple minarets, colonnade courtyard, and mountainous backdrop. The left margin incorporates elaborate Islamic geometric border patterns with decorative corner medallions displaying the denomination. The reverse depicts an ornate Islamic architectural structure characterized by a series of repeated arched openings supported by decorative columns, typical of traditional Islamic gallery design. The Saudi Arabian national coat of arms—featuring crossed swords behind a shield containing a palm tree—is prominently positioned on the right side of the reverse, serving as the nation's heraldic symbol. Both sides employ calligraphic Arabic inscriptions and bilingual (Arabic/English) text identifying the issuing authority and denomination.

Front side: 'مؤسسة النقد العربي السعودي' (Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency), 'وزيرالمالية' (Minister of Finance), 'المحافظ' (Governor), 'عشرة ريالات' (Ten Riyals), '١٠' (10 in Arabic numerals), '١٣٨٧/٨/٦' (6/8/1387 Hijri calendar), '١٩٦٨/٨/١٢' (12 August 1968 Gregorian). Reverse side: 'SAUDI ARABIAN MONETARY AGENCY' (English), 'TEN RIYALS' (English), '10' (Arabic numerals).

The note was produced using traditional steel engraving intaglio printing, evidenced by the fine parallel line work, intricate geometric patterns, detailed architectural renderings, and the characteristic depth and precision visible in the colonnade arches, minaret details, and border ornamentation. This high-security printing method was standard for Saudi Arabian banknotes of this era. The printer for this issue is believed to be De La Rue, a leading security printer of the period, though definitive attribution requires further research into Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency archival records.

The visual analysis indicates a date of 1387 AH / 8 / 6 (6/8/1387 Hijri) corresponding to 12/8/1968 Gregorian. Varieties of this Pick-13 may exist based on signature combinations (Minister of Finance and Governor signatures), though the specific signatories are not clearly legible in the provided images. The catalog reference notes the issue spans L. AH 1379 (1961) through 1968, suggesting multiple date varieties exist within this Pick number. Serial number variations and potential color shade differences may also constitute collectible varieties, though these cannot be definitively determined from the single specimen provided.