JEDDAH, 9 October 2003 — The Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency (SAMA) announced yesterday that from Saturday it would circulate new modified SR100 notes. An official SAMA statement said the new notes had been printed after approval by the Council of Ministers.
Hamad Al-Sayyari, the governor of SAMA, refuted suggestions that the new notes were being issued because of forgery of the existing notes.
“This is an ongoing process aimed at increasing note security,” he told Al-Jazirah newspaper. He said studies and research indicated that putting additional security signs and measures on currency notes were essential to prevent forgery.
“SAMA recommended reprinting new SR100 notes and the introduction of additional security features to the notes. The recommendation was approved on 18/4/1422H,” a SAMA statement said.
The security features will ensure protection of the currency and facilitate the use of the banknote by the public, the statement added. “An ornamental shape printed by optically variable ink that shifts gradually from golden to green when the note is tilted is the new bill’s important feature,” the statement said.
A metallic windowed security thread 4 mm wide with the clear text of Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency and the note value, 100, appear when the note is exposed to light. The note value watermark, another new feature, also appears when in light.
Referring to existing features, the statement said the notes will have a portrait of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd that appears when exposed to light. Bold tactile intaglio printing scattered over the note adds a rough texture, harmonious colors and clear design, it added.
SAMA expressed hopes that the new security features would enhance the public’s confidence in the national currency and protect it from forgery.
