Guide to Detecting Counterfeit Saudi Riyal (SAR) Banknotes

How to Identify Counterfeit Saudi Riyal (﷼) Currency Notes

If you’re planning a trip to Saudi Arabia, here is a small but important tip: watch out for fake riyals. It’s not a huge risk, but it’s still possible to end up with counterfeit riyals, especially if you’re exchanging cash in crowded markets or unfamiliar places. Here’s a quick guide to help you spot real Saudi riyals, so you can travel with peace of mind.

Key Security Features of Saudi Riyal Currency Notes

The Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) is the sole entity responsible for issuing and regulating the national currency. In late 2016, SAMA introduced the "Sixth Issue" of Saudi Riyal banknotes. This series, having denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 500 Riyals, is protected by a range of security features, like:

1. Watermarks:

Hold the note up to a light source to see the watermark. It should be clear and detailed, integrated within the paper, not printed on the surface.

2. Security Threads:

When held to light, the security thread should be visible as a continuous line (or windowed, depending on the denomination) with clear text.

3. Microtext:

If you have a magnifying glass, look for tiny, sharp text in designated areas.

4. Raised Printing (Intaglio):

Run your fingertip over the main portrait, large numerals, and other key design elements. You should feel raised ink, a characteristic of the intaglio printing process.

5. Optically Variable Ink (OVI) / SPARK:

Look for areas, typically large numerals or symbols, that change colour (e.g., from green to blue, or copper to green) as you tilt the note. SPARK features will also show a dynamic light effect, like a moving bar, synchronised with the colour change.

6. Motion Security Threads:

For notes with advanced windowed threads (e.g., SR 500, etc), tilt the note to see if the embedded images or patterns move or animate as described for that denomination.

7. Iridescent Stripe:

On the back of the note (usually for higher SR denominations), a fluorescent iridescent stripe displays the value numeral in shimmering, colour-shifting tones.

8. Three-Dimensional Security Stripe:

Check for a 3D security stripe band, usually appearing on four parts of the note.

9. UV Reaction:

Genuine banknote paper (and polymer) generally fluoresce under ultraviolet light.

A Detailed Guide to Identifying Counterfeit Saudi Riyal Currency by Denomination

Here’s a detailed description of the verifiable security features present in each denomination of the Sixth Issue of Saudi Riyal banknotes.

Denomination	Color	Security Threads	SPARK Ink	Iridescent Stripe	3D Security Stripe	UV Features
SR 5	Purple	1 (windowed thread)	“5” in SPARK ink with dynamic colour shift and motion effect	Not present	Vertical stripe on front shows emblem + “5” with motion effect	Glowing “5”, emblem, and shapes under UV on both sides
SR 10	Brown	1 (windowed thread)	“10” in SPARK ink with colour-shift and 3D motion	Not present	Vertical stripe with shifting emblem and “10” on tilting	Fluorescent numeral 10, emblem, and design shapes under UV
SR 20	Olive-green	1 (windowed thread)	“20” in SPARK ink; tilting reveals a flowing 3D effect	On the reverse, “20” shimmers in a fluorescent ornamental band	Stripe displays emblem and “20”; shifts on vertical tilting	Glowing patterns, numeral 20, and security shapes in multiple UV-reactive colours
SR 50	Green	1 (windowed thread)	“50” in SPARK ink with dynamic colour and motion effects	On the reverse, “50” appears in shimmering colours when tilted	3D stripe shows national emblem and “50” with tilt-based visibility changes	“50” and ornamental motifs appear glowing under UV light
SR 100	Red	2 (1 windowed + 1 solid thread)	"100” in SPARK ink with movement and colour shift	On the back, ornamental band with shimmering “100” visible when tilted	3D stripe with emblem and “100”; visible motion effect vertically	Under UV, “100” numeral, design elements, and blocks glow clearly
SR 200	Grey	2 (1 windowed + 1 solid thread)	“200” printed in SPARK ink; shifts colour and shows 3D movement	Back contains ornamental shimmer stripe with “200” revealed on tilt	Dynamic vertical stripe with “200” and emblem, shifting visibility	UV light shows glowing shapes, numeral 200, and emblem on both sides
SR 500	Blue	2 (1 windowed + 1 solid thread)	“500” in SPARK ink inside ornamental design; 3D shapes move on tilt	On the reverse, a fluorescent band reveals “500” in shimmering tones	Advanced 3D stripe: four segments with emblem and “500”, disappearing and reappearing	Bright fluorescent numeral 500, shapes, and security patches under UV

SR 500 Note

General Description:

Colour: Blue
Front: Portrait of the founder, King Abdulaziz Bin Abdulrahman Al Saud, and a depiction of the Holy Kaaba in Makkah Al Mukarramah.
Back: A view of the Holy Mosque (Al-Masjid al-Haram) in Makkah Al Mukarramah.

Key Security Features:

Watermark: The watermark includes a portrait of King Abdulaziz Al Saud, an electrotype "500", the national emblem (two crossed swords with a palm tree), and diagonal bars (cornerstones) in the corners, all visible when held up to the light.
Front: Portrait of the founder, King Abdulaziz Bin Abdulrahman Al Saud, and a depiction of the Holy Kaaba in Makkah Al Mukarramah.
Back: A view of the Holy Mosque (Al-Masjid al-Haram) in Makkah Al Mukarramah.

The $2 Bill

The $2 bill features a portrait of Thomas Jefferson on the front and a vignette depicting the signing of the Declaration of Independence on the back side.
Similar to the $1 bill, its security features include a black Federal Reserve Bank Seal and a green Treasury Seal, serial numbers, raised printing, and embedded red and blue security fibers.
Like the $1 bill, the $2 bill does not have a watermark or a security thread.
Another interesting point to note is that the design of the $2 bill has remained largely unchanged since 1976.

The $5 Bill

The modern $5 bill (post-2008 design) features a portrait of Abraham Lincoln on the front and the Lincoln Memorial on the back.
Key security features include two watermarks: a large numeral 5 in the blank space to the right of the portrait and a column of three smaller numeral 5s to the left.
It also has an embedded security thread running vertically to the right of the portrait, which glows blue under UV light and has the letters "USA" followed by the numeral "5" printed on it.
Microprinting, featuring the words "FIVE DOLLARS" inside the left and right borders, "E PLURIBUS UNUM" at the top of the shield on the Great Seal, and "USA" between the columns of the shield, is also present.
Raised printing and red and blue fibers can also be checked.
Note that the $5 bill does not have color-shifting ink.

The $10 Bill

The redesigned $10 bill (post-2006) features a portrait of Alexander Hamilton on the front and the US Treasury Building on the back.
Security features include a watermark of Secretary Hamilton to the right of the portrait and an embedded security thread that glows orange under UV light, with "USA TEN" and a small flag printed on it.
The numeral 10 in the lower right corner on the front exhibits color-shifting ink, changing from copper to green when the bill is tilted.
Microprinting, including "THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" and "TEN DOLLARS USA" below the portrait and inside the borders, and "USA 10" beneath the torch, is also present.
Raised printing and red and blue fibers can also be checked.

The $20 Bill

The $20 bill (post-2003 design) features a portrait of Andrew Jackson on the front and the White House on the back.
Its security features include a watermark of President Jackson to the right of the portrait and a security thread that glows green under UV light with "USA TWENTY" and a flag printed on it.
The numeral 20 in the lower right corner on the front has color-shifting ink that changes from copper to green when tilted.
Microprinting, featuring "USA20" within the numeral in the lower left corner and "THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 20 USA 20" in the border below the Treasurer's signature, is present.
Raised printing and red and blue fibers are also incorporated.

The $50 Bill

The $50 bill (post-2004 design) features a portrait of Ulysses S. Grant on the front and the United States Capitol on the back.
Its security features include a watermark of President Grant to the right of the portrait and a security thread that glows yellow under UV light with "USA 50" and a flag printed on it.
The numeral 50 in the lower right corner on the front exhibits color-shifting ink, changing from copper to green when tilted.
Microprinting, including "FIFTY," "USA," and "50" inside two of the blue stars to the left of the portrait, "FIFTY" repeated within both side borders, and "THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" in President Grant's collar, is present.
Raised printing and red and blue fibers are also present.
A large green numeral 50 is printed on the back to aid individuals with low vision.

The $100 Bill

The redesigned $100 bill (post-2013) features a portrait of Benjamin Franklin on the front and Independence Hall on the back.
Its advanced security features include a blue 3-D security ribbon with images of bells and "100"s that move when the bill is tilted.
It also has a watermark of Benjamin Franklin to the right of the portrait and a security thread that glows pink under UV light with "USA 100" printed on it.
The numeral 100 in the lower right corner and the "Bell in the Inkwell" both exhibit color-shifting ink, changing from copper to green when tilted.
Microprinting, including "THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" on Franklin's jacket collar, "USA 100" around the watermark space, "ONE HUNDRED USA" along the golden quill, and small "100"s in the borders, is present.
Raised printing and red and blue fibers are also there.
A large gold numeral 100 is printed on the back for those with visual impairments.

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