The late 19th-century rulers the and the both issued coins which circulated alongside the Egyptian currency.
Cupro-nickel 5, 10, 25 and 50 halala followed in 1972, inscribed with their denomination in ghirsh or riyal 1, 2 qirsh, ¼, ½ riyal.
However, although the Hejaz riyal was the same weight as the Ottoman 20 kuruş, it was minted in.
The system remained even though the riyal was subsequently debased to a coin equivalent, in silver content, to the in 1935.
Thereafter, the pound underwent successive devaluations.
The move is the boldest economic measure taken by the joint military-civilian government that has ruled the African country after a popular uprising.