2007-11-04

Circular Regarding Controls for Reproducing Currency in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

The Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency (SAMA) issued a circular establishing comprehensive controls for reproducing Saudi and foreign currency legally circulating within the Kingdom. A prior license from SAMA is mandatory for any reproduction for commercial, media, or cultural purposes, with strict technical specifications regarding image size, resolution, and context to prevent counterfeiting and misuse. Violations of these reproduction guidelines are subject to severe penalties under the Penal System for Counterfeiting and Imitation of Currency and the Anti-Forgery Law.

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In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency Treasury and Issuance Department

Number: 41965/Akh Attachments: ...

Date: 24 Shawwal 1428 Corresponding to: 2007/11/5

Circular

His Excellency the Director of ................................................................................. Respected Peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be upon you:-

Based on the requirements of Articles Four and Five of the Penal System for Counterfeiting and Imitation of Currency, issued by Royal Decree No. (12) dated 20/7/1379 AH, regarding the approval of controls for issuing licenses for currency reproduction in a manner that ensures prevention against counterfeiting and protection from similar papers and coins in appearance. To ensure the circulation of only sound currency in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, we hope you will act accordingly and cancel previous circulars issued in this regard. Applications for reproduction licenses can be submitted through the Agency's website www.sama.gov.sa, and for more information, please contact Mr. Fahad Al-Malik (Tel: 4662123).

Please accept our regards,,,

Deputy Governor Dr. Mohammed bin Sulaiman Al-Jasser

Distribution Scope:

  • Banks and money exchangers operating in the Kingdom
  • Agency branches
  • Head office departments

P.O. Box 2992 Riyadh 11169, Telegraphic Address: Markazi, Telex 404400, Telephone 4633000, Fax 4662980

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency Treasury and Issuance Department

Number: ................................. Attachments: .................................

Date: ................................. Corresponding to: .................................

Controls for Reproducing Currency In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Based on the requirements of Articles Four and Five of the Penal System for Counterfeiting and Imitation of Currency, issued by Royal Decree No. (12) dated 20/7/1379 AH, regarding the approval of controls for issuing reproduction licenses in a manner that ensures prevention against counterfeiting and protection from similar papers and coins in appearance. The Governor of the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency hereby approves the controls for reproducing currency as follows:-

First: General Instructions:

  • It is prohibited for any natural or legal person to reproduce, photograph, or use images or design any Saudi or foreign currency circulating within the Kingdom for commercial, media, or cultural purposes without obtaining prior permission from the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency.
  • It is strictly prohibited to use images, reproductions, or designs of Saudi and foreign currencies circulating within the Kingdom in the form of plates, manufactured goods, models, or as covers for manufactured goods, or in the form of money, and so forth.
  • Anyone who violates these instructions shall be punished according to the provisions of the Penal System for Counterfeiting and Imitation of Currency issued by Royal Decree No. (12) dated 20/7/1379 AH, and according to the Anti-Forgery Law issued by Royal Decree No. (114) dated 26/11/1380 AH.

Second: Controls for Reproducing Foreign Currency Legally Circulating in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia:

  • To reproduce images of foreign currency legally circulating within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for use in printed or electronic (digital) media, an application must be submitted to the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency to obtain a currency reproduction license.

  • To obtain the license, the instructions and controls issued by the competent authorities that issued the foreign currency to be reproduced must be observed.

Third: Controls for Reproducing Saudi Currency Legally Circulating in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia:

  • To reproduce images of Saudi currency legally circulating within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for use in printed or electronic (digital) media, an application must be submitted to the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency to obtain a currency reproduction license.
  • To obtain a license for reproducing Saudi currency legally circulating within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for use in printed media, the following instructions and controls must be observed:
    • Attach the material to be published or printed with the currency reproduction license application, clarifying the technical specifications in terms of shape, color, and size, and stating the purpose of publishing the Saudi currency images (commercial / media / cultural).
    • Do not distort the image of the King in any way (whether by enlarging, reducing, or changing its coordinates).
    • Do not use images of Saudi currency in an inappropriate context.
    • There must be no risk of misleading the public into believing it is original currency.
    • Images can be of one side of the currency provided that:
      • The image size does not exceed 75% of the original banknote's length and width; or
      • The image size is not less than 150% of the original banknote's length and width.
    • Images can be of both sides of the currency provided that:
      • The image size does not exceed 50% of the original banknote's length and width; or
      • The image size is not less than 200% of the original banknote's length and width.
      • Do not display one side on the background of the other side of the banknote.
    • All materials used in the process of producing the images, such as films (negatives and positives) and plates, must be destroyed immediately after use.

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency Treasury and Issuance Department

Number: ................................. Attachments: .................................

Date: ................................. Corresponding to: .................................

  • To obtain a license for reproducing Saudi currency legally circulating within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for use in electronic (digital) media, the following instructions and controls must be observed:
    • Clarify the purpose of using the Saudi currency images (commercial / media / cultural).
    • Do not distort the image of the King in any way (whether by enlarging, reducing, or changing its coordinates).
    • Do not use images of Saudi currency in an inappropriate context.
    • The resolution must be 72 pixels per inch or less.
    • Print the word "نموذج" (SAMPLE) diagonally and clearly on the banknote image in a contrasting color.
    • All materials used in the process of producing the images from digital storage media, files, and others must be destroyed, removed, or canceled immediately after use.

May Allah grant success,,,

Governor Hamad bin Saud Al-Sayari

P.O. Box 2992 Riyadh 11169, Telegraphic Address: Markazi, Telex 404400, Telephone 4633000, Fax 4662980